The NCAA News - News & Features

Legislative assistance

1996 Column No. 25
ACT and SAT score cancellations

NCAA Divisions I and II institutions should note that pursuant to NCAA Council action taken August 7-9, 1995, a student-athlete who signs the Student-Athlete Statement now is required to notify his or her athletics department of the cancellation of a test score used for athletics eligibility purposes (i.e., ACT or SAT score).

When an institution receives notification that a student-athlete's test score is canceled, it is the institution's responsibility to (a) notify the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse of the score cancellation; (b) investigate the matter to determine whether the student-athlete committed fraud or otherwise was responsible for the test-score cancellation and whether any institutional staff member or representative of the institution's athletics interest was involved in the arrangement of a fraudulent test score; and (c) report any violation that may have occurred through the student-athlete's receipt of aid or participation in practice or competition.

ACT and SAT review procedures

NCAA Divisions I and II institutions should note that the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse does not detect or review irregularities in the standardized-test scores of prospective student-athletes as part of its normal certification process. As a condition and obligation of membership, a Division I or II institution is responsible for reviewing the validity of a test score pursuant to the institution's normal test-score review procedures when the institution possesses information that calls into question the validity of the score, regardless of whether the clearinghouse has certified the student-athlete. These review procedures may include providing the information to the appropriate testing agency or agencies for their review.

This material was provided by the legislative services staff as an aid to member institutions. If an institution has a question or comment regarding this column, such correspondence should be directed to Richard C. Perko, legislative assistant, at the NCAA national office.