How to Cite the College Board: A Guide for the Perplexed (and Slightly Terrified)
Let’s face it, the College Board can be a bit of a mystery. They’re the gatekeepers to standardized tests, the arbiters of your academic fate, and they have a lot of rules. One of these rules is about how you can use their materials, specifically when you’re writing something for school or for your own personal projects.
So how do you cite the College Board? The answer is: It depends.
It depends on what you’re citing (like a specific test prep resource or a piece from their website), and the style guide you’re using (like MLA, APA, or Chicago).
But don’t worry! This blog post will guide you through the labyrinth of College Board citation, complete with sarcasm, humor, and enough information to make even the most bewildered student feel like a citation ninja.
First, let’s address the elephant in the room: The College Board is very, very protective of its intellectual property. They’ve got a trademark on pretty much everything, from the SAT® to the AP® program. It’s like they’re the copyright police, patrolling the digital world for any unauthorized use of their precious intellectual property.
So, what does that mean for you? If you’re using their materials in your work, you need to make sure you’re citing them correctly. Think of it as giving them their due credit, and also trying to avoid getting a cease and desist letter from their legal team (who, I’m sure, are armed with enough legal jargon to make your head spin).
Here’s the basic breakdown of how to cite the College Board:
1. The Basics of College Board Citation
- Identify the specific source: What exactly are you citing? Is it a specific test prep book, an article on their website, a blog post, or something else?
- Determine the citation style: Are you using MLA, APA, Chicago, or another style guide? Each style has its own specific format.
- Look for the author and publication date: If the author and publication date are not immediately obvious, you’ll need to do some digging.
Here are some examples:
- For a specific test prep book: Example: The College Board. SAT Study Guide. New York: College Board, 2023.
- For an article on the College Board website: Example: The College Board. “AP® English Language and Composition.” College Board, n.d., www.collegeboard.org/ap/ap-english-language-and-composition.
- For a blog post on the College Board website: Example: The College Board. “5 Tips for Success on the SAT®.” College Board Blog, 15 Oct. 2023, www.collegeboard.org/blog/5-tips-for-success-on-the-sat.
Pro-tip: If you’re unsure about how to cite something, check out Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab (OWL). They have extensive resources on all sorts of citation styles, including MLA, APA, and Chicago.
2. The College Board’s Trademark Policy: A Wild Ride
The College Board is incredibly serious about their trademarks. They have a whole list of them, including the iconic SAT®, AP®, and College Board® names. Don’t even think about using these trademarks without their permission.
But wait, there’s more! You can’t just use their logos willy-nilly either. The College Board acorn logo, for example, is off-limits unless you have their express permission.
So, what’s a student to do?
- Follow the guidelines: The College Board has a specific set of guidelines for using their trademarks. You can find them on their website.
- Request permission: If you want to use any College Board trademark, you need to submit a request for permission. They’ll review your request and let you know if they’re cool with it.
Pro-tip: It’s always best to err on the side of caution and ask for permission before using any College Board trademark. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
3. The College Board’s Copyright Policy: A Tale of Two Worlds
The College Board is also very strict about copyrights. They own the copyrights to all of their materials, including their test prep books, articles, and websites.
So, what does that mean for you? If you want to use any College Board material in your work, you need to get permission first. You can’t just copy and paste it into your paper or presentation without permission.
How do you get permission?
- Fill out the Copyright and Trademark Permission Request Form: You can find this form on the College Board website.
- Provide a sample of your proposed use: The College Board will want to see what you’re planning to do with their material.
- Wait for their response: The College Board will review your request and let you know if they’re cool with it.
Pro-tip: It’s best to submit your request well in advance of your deadline. The College Board may take a few weeks to review your request.
But wait, there’s a loophole!You don’t need permission to link to the College Board website. This means you can link to their website in your work without any hassles. However, you can’t use their logo on your website.
4. The College Board: A Real-Life Case Study
Let’s say you’re writing a research paper on the SAT®. You want to include some information about the history of the test. You find a great article on the College Board website that provides just the information you need.
What do you do?
- First, you need to cite the article properly. You can use either MLA or APA style, depending on the requirements of your assignment.
- Next, you need to get permission from the College Board to use the article in your paper. You can do this by filling out the Copyright and Trademark Permission Request Form.
Pro-tip: It’s always a good idea to check with your teacher or professor about the specific requirements for citing sources in your class.
5. Conclusion: The College Board’s Citation Rules: A Love-Hate Relationship
We know, we know, the College Board’s citation rules can be a pain. But they’re there for a reason: to protect their intellectual property.
But here’s the thing: It’s not that complicated. Just follow the steps outlined above, and you’ll be good to go.
Remember, proper citation is important, but it’s also important to be creative and original in your work. Don’t just rely on the College Board for all of your information. Do your own research, explore different perspectives, and come up with your own unique ideas.
And if you’re still feeling lost in the world of College Board citations, don’t worry! We’re here to help. Just reach out to us at [insert your website/community link] and we’ll be happy to provide you with more information.
Happy citing! 😊