ACT Professional Development & Ethics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A parent contacts a test site directly to request their child's test scores before official release. What should the administrator do?
- Provide the scores verbally to confirm they are a parent
- Direct the parent to ACT's official score reporting channels and decline to release scores (Correct answer)
- Email the scores after verifying the parent's identity
- Post the scores on the school's website for easy access
Correct answer: Direct the parent to ACT's official score reporting channels and decline to release scores
Score release is controlled exclusively by ACT, and administrators must direct all inquiries through official channels to protect student data.
Question 2: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which responsibility falls on the ACT test administrator regarding accommodations?
- Evaluate which accommodations are medically appropriate for each student
- Implement only those accommodations pre-approved by ACT and listed in official documentation (Correct answer)
- Approve accommodation requests submitted on test day
- Decide whether a student's disability warrants extended time
Correct answer: Implement only those accommodations pre-approved by ACT and listed in official documentation
Administrators implement ACT-approved accommodations only; they do not evaluate eligibility or approve new requests on test day.
Question 3: Which behavior constitutes a conflict of interest for an ACT test administrator?
- Administering the exam at the school where the administrator works as a teacher
- Proctoring an exam where the administrator's own child is registered to test (Correct answer)
- Reporting a security breach observed during testing
- Collecting test materials at the end of the session
Correct answer: Proctoring an exam where the administrator's own child is registered to test
Administering an exam to a close family member creates a conflict of interest that could compromise objectivity and fairness.
Question 4: What does 'test security' primarily refer to in the context of ACT administration ethics?
- Physical security of the testing building
- Protecting the confidentiality of test content before, during, and after administration (Correct answer)
- Securing student personal information in school databases
- Locking test materials in the administrator's car overnight
Correct answer: Protecting the confidentiality of test content before, during, and after administration
Test security encompasses all measures taken to prevent unauthorized access to or disclosure of test content at any stage.
Question 5: An administrator overhears two proctors discussing specific test questions in a public area after the exam. This is problematic because:
- It violates break-time protocols for test staff
- It risks exposing secure content that may be reused in future test forms (Correct answer)
- It distracts other staff members from their duties
- It could upset students who are still completing the exam
Correct answer: It risks exposing secure content that may be reused in future test forms
ACT may reuse test questions across administrations, so discussing content publicly risks compromising future exam integrity.
Question 6: Which of the following is considered an unethical practice for an ACT test administrator seeking professional development?
- Attending ACT-sponsored webinars on updated procedures
- Accessing and reviewing secured test items to prepare for training sessions (Correct answer)
- Reading published ACT research reports on score validity
- Participating in administrator networking groups to share best practices
Correct answer: Accessing and reviewing secured test items to prepare for training sessions
Accessing secured test items for any purpose other than official administration is a serious security violation regardless of intent.
Question 7: Why is it important for ACT test administrators to document irregularities using official ACT forms rather than informal notes?
- Informal notes are admissible in court but ACT forms are not
- Official forms ensure complete, standardized records that ACT can use for score validation and appeals (Correct answer)
- ACT forms are required only for score cancellation cases
- Informal notes tend to be longer and more detailed than official forms
Correct answer: Official forms ensure complete, standardized records that ACT can use for score validation and appeals
Standardized documentation provides ACT with consistent, reliable information needed to investigate incidents and make equitable decisions.
ACT Professional Development & Ethics 3
A parent contacts a test site directly to request their child's test scores before official release.
What should the administrator do?