SAT and ACT Have New Stringent Photo ID Requirements. Imagine That.

I've actually been an SAT test administrator on two different occasions and every student is required to provide a photo ID as they are admitted into the test site. That requirement is about to get much tougher as Bill Hobbs explains:

"The new testing requirements include making students upload a photograph of themselves when they register for the SAT or ACT. Those unable to upload a photo will be permitted to mail in a photo, which will be scanned by the testing agency. Then, an admission ticket into the testing site, containing the scanned photo, will be mailed to the student.

The photo will not only be printed on the admission ticket, but on the test site roster, and can be checked against the photo ID a student provides at the test center. That photo will be attached to students' scores as they are reported to high schools and colleges.

"Other changes include checking student IDs more frequently at test centers; IDs will be checked when students enter a test site, and whenever they re-enter the test room after breaks, and again when the answer sheets are collected. Testing companies also may conduct 'spot checks' with enhanced security at random test locations, or where cheating is suspected. Proctors also will receive additional training to help them identify cheaters and high school and college officials will receive more information about reporting suspected cheating to testing companies.

"A spokesman for the College Board noted that some of the security enhancements were developed in consultation with a security firm run by former FBI director Louis Freeh."

Students will not be given free photo IDs - they will have to, at their own expense, provide a photo to the testing companies. And some students - especially minorities and elderly students - might lack both Internet access to upload a photo, and a way to get to the post office to purchase a stamp to mail a photo to the testing companies.

Further, there is no plan to offer students "provisional" tests if they show up for the SAT or ACT and don't have a photo ID.

Hobbs is, of course, making the point that the reasons for wanting secure college entrance tests shouldn't be any different than the reasons for wanting voter ID in our elections - we want to maintain the integrity of the process.  It's not that difficult to understand.