Fake Tweets, Broken Tests, and a Misinformation Campaign: How The College Board Botched Spring Semester

Months of bad press culminated in missed tests and tears

Zara Stone
OneZero

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Photo illustration. Photos (Getty Images): Tetra Images; Klaus Vedfelt; michaelquirk; Chris Ryan

On May 13, 2020, Twitter user “Clark,” a.k.a. @dm9wktlty2, posted the following: “Thank you @COLLEGEBOARD for releasing vital exam updates via Twitter….it really shows how much you care.”

The College Board is a 120-year-old nonprofit that develops and administers curriculum and standardized, fee-based tests for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Its tests, which include Advanced Placement exams and the SAT, are taken by millions of college hopefuls each year.

The problem is that Clark doesn’t appear to be real, and the Twitter account no longer exists.

Someone from the organization was evidently pleased by Clark’s enthusiastic tweet — it was quickly screenshotted and blasted to journalists on the College Board’s media list. The message was clear: despite months of negative press about glitchy tests and completely botched exams, students love the College Board’s…

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