Florida student accused of cheating after her second SAT score seemed 'too improved'

MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (FOX 13/WSVN) - A South Florida high school student is fighting for her academic future after she said she was accused of cheating on her SAT test.

Kamilah Campbell said when she first took the test in March 2018 and scored a 900. She wanted to do better. So, she said she studied, and months later, she scored a 1230. However, her attorney, Benjamin Crump, said test officials flagged her score, and accused the teen of cheating because the score was “too improved.”

“I did not cheat,” Campbell explained. “I studied and I focused to achieve my dreams. “It was like a blowback for me because I worked so hard, and I did everything I could do to get ready and get prepared so that I’d know that I could achieve my goal.”

The Educational Testing Service and the College Board that run the SATs won’t comment on the case, reports WSVN. They did release a statement saying they place test scores under review when statistical analyses and other factors determine it’s necessary.

“We place test scores under review when statistical analyses and other factors determine it is necessary. When scores are under review, we work directly with students to collect relevant information and make determinations about the validity of the test scores following a comprehensive investigation of the evidence.”

Campbell said she is worried that the delay in her official score will hurt her chances at scholarships and getting accepted to a college. 

“I was supposed to have my scores turned in to them by Jan. 1, and it’s Jan. 2, and I still don’t have my scores,” said Campbell, “so I don’t know how the application process is going to go for me.”

WSVN reports that Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho intervened for an appeal and reached out to the College Board president.

“I was given an assurance that this issue was going to be reviewed, investigated in depth and swiftly to avoid certain consequences to this student,” said Carvalho.

The College Board has yet to comment on when their investigation will be completed.