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The Perfect Score: Cheating on the SAT

January 1, 2012 4:35 PM

In his first interview about his criminal fraud, Sam Eshaghoff tells how he was able to take the SAT and ACT college admissions exams for others who paid him up to $2,500 per test. Alison Stewart reports.

The Perfect Score: Cheating on the SAT
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by phwtb100 November 20, 2012 9:42 AM EST
He believes he launched these kids into a new life. I agree 100% with his statement.

He did launch them into a new life and into a world they were 1. not qualified to be in, 2. not smart enough to succeed in and 3. into a world of peers who would wonder what kind of person they had to tolerate. He launched them into a world of- if you are too stupid or too lazy- cheat.

Explains a lot of why so many college graduates can't get a job and why so many of them fail once they do gain employment.

I can't believe the powers that be are letting him continue HIS college studies. I wonder how many people he has cheated for in his university. As a business person I will remember this guys name. You never know who's resume' will grace your desk in the future.
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by ezconor May 8, 2012 5:33 PM EDT
"It's not fair to the kids who play by the rules" Well it's not fair to the kids like me who did well in high school but not on the SAT and didn't get into the colleges I wanted. The SAT plays WAY too big a role in college admission than it should.
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by mrj12 April 30, 2012 8:04 PM EDT
The SAT no longer has a place in the US. Many believe it gives little information on how well a student will do in college. People say it's a standardized test. The problem with that is not everyone learns or thinks the same. When I took it I did the best I could, but I only got in like the 950's which does nothing for me. So not only did I waist my time and money, It also stressed me out to the max... This test needs to go.
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by 73Niki73 February 13, 2012 8:58 PM EST
This news feature is the best thing that could have happened to this kid! He is obviously ubersmart, is creative, handles his clients well (try doing business by word of mouth), and has a great work ethic (for real - he didn't have to do *that* well on all those tests). Most importantly, he interviewed really well - After watching the news feature...How many of you liked him? How many of you actually bought the "I'm Robin Hood for the Dumb" I think it was a brilliant defense! Here he is, just a real smart kid in a big world, and for a small price he can give Mr screwu-up, Joe Blow Jr a second chance to make a good life for himself. And then, major spin! Can we really even blame him or Joe Blow Jr??? The moral flaw is with the parents since they were the financial backers of the deal. And really, when you think about it, what is the likelihood that Joe Blow Jr has $2500 plus airfare AND even if he did, what are the chances that he spent it on a SAT Test body double. One step further - enter Joe Blow's parents -- and they can blame the public school system, the No Child Left Behind Act, and Gay Marriage (because Gay Marriage is the ruination of everything)....I think this kid needs to either get into politics or become a preacher!
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by 47rower47 January 8, 2012 9:38 PM EST
Greater security measures must be taken here, but the real testing fraud is currently taking place abroad in China and Japan. It estimated that 50%, instead of America's 1%, of the standardized test scores given by prospective international students are the result of fraud.
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by billbillybill January 6, 2012 10:59 AM EST
The standardized testing is a huge scam! this kid is an entrepreneur and i guarantee he won't be a corporate slave. He found an issue, he had a solution, and executed on it. Standardized tests and even most education systems treat everyone the same and try to mold people into corporate donkeys. Good work sam!
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by scornwall2269 January 4, 2012 8:20 AM EST
That's crazy, but its pretty cool. I wouldn't pass that up either. Its a big deal for the people that made this test but for real I freak out when I see the sat pssa or whatever else that has to do with a test. I'm in high school and my midterms are coming up. I enjoyed hearing that, it took weight off of my shoulders. -wish me luck
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by FromEthiopiaToo January 3, 2012 10:22 PM EST
Many points can be made from this incident.


What is the consequence of both cheating and having someone take the test for you? This needs to be emphasized so that others are hindered from thinking of going in same this direction. I don't see any other reason for showing this story.

What is the value of working hard and passing for someone in the long term? This is something all parents are trying to instill in their children. Use this as an example to repel the experience all together. And Why should we value honesty?

It a two way street, we can tighten the process and procedure to make it difficult for cheaters but kids and educators, and parents also have a vested interest in how they play a role to ultimately help students do well. If students don't understand why they are taking tests in the fist place, then I am afraid there is a gap between the educators and the students.
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by carepentater January 3, 2012 9:22 PM EST
When I took the test 20 years ago, I dont remember a school I.D. being valid for admission. Only a Stae issued I.D. in Maryland was acceptable. A policy like that would help. That "Fecking Eejet" to use an Irish expression, that is in charge of the Sat is in serious denial. I hope that district attorney lady sends everybody to jail for years. ESPECIALLY that brash kid who is laughing all the way to the bank!!!!
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by b-lump January 3, 2012 5:56 PM EST
Everyone questioning Sam's lack of conscience for taking these tests should realize he is qualified for the Senate or to be a governor ala Jon Corzine; or to be an executive at Goldman Sachs...then he can make serious cash!!!
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