Drop the SATs?

[mundania]

Here's the article: <a target=new href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,99845,00.html">Is This The End For The SAT?
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I think there's some merit in it. I did't realize that the SATs were developed in the 1920s. Granted they've tried to modify the SATs so that it caters to the times, but I don't think it cuts it. I mean, I did very well on the SATs and all, but I'd rather have known about the history of problems in the Middle East instead of studying about how a cat is to a fish, like a lion is to a deer.

It's going to be tough to develop a good test, but if Bush really wants to put some oomph into our educational system, this is a good place to start. We're probably not even going to get it right the first time, or the second, but I think now is a good time as any time to take a fresh look at how we're going to parcel out our future generation to higher education. We're not going to get it perfect, but let's at least implement a system that's better than the one we have now. And then we'll work from there.

Your thoughts?

 

[Mesomorph]

SATs and ACTs aren't designed to test your current world knowledge, otherwise i would suck at them. The SAT tests only your ability to take a test, so don't compare it to a test that you would take in a class in as far as how much you know gets you a good score.

 

[TuffGuy]

the SAT and ACT are about as effective as GPA. they shouldn't do away with them, instead they should break them down by district. that way you're competing against people in your area, people who were exposed to similar material as you.

 

[urbantechie]

If they drop it, i'll be a poor bum.

 

[piku]

They should give them randomly, so that you don't have to chance to study or prepare for them at all.


(edit: lol left out the most important part, don't )

 

[mundania]

I don't mean that the standardized test should test world knowledge, but because ever since I heard the word SAT, I feel that in my education, too much emphasis was put on knowing what certain words meant, where I could have been using that time to focus on world issues, etc.

 

[Mister T]

SAT's are stupid tests.

They should be replaced with Essay tests and Mathematical proofs.
Thats how we should test. Not by filling in bubbles.

 

[Soybomb]

Actually SAT's arent' meant to test your knowledge as much as your ability to comprehend and reason. If they really do that or not is up to you. It is another indicator of student potential than gpa which I do think is important to have. Truthfully I think primary education needs alot more work than college level.

 

[RichieZ]

Who cares, i applied this yr, and it won't take effect until what like 2004. Those first ppl who take whatever new test there is will be screwed! SUCKS FOR THEM

 

[Maetryx]

Maetryx here,

Any test is valid if it corresponds positively to real success in life. Success is usualy measured by socioeconomic status, and the avoidance of social difficulties like welfare, prison, poverty and so on.

In this way, the SAT is a fine test. It corresponds very nicely to people's success in real life. Is it a perfect predictor? Nope, nothing is. But if I were a betting man, I'd bet on the people who do well on that test. Because, even though people whine that the test is only good for finding out how good a person takes tests, it turns out that good test takers are smart everywhere else too. Test taking is not an isolated skill separate from actual intelligence. They correspond very well.

So make a new test or whatever. The same people that would do well on the SAT will do well on the new test. You can't make people smarter by rewriting the test.

--Maetryx

 

[AlphaIVT]

they should have a test that will test us around the major we're likely to major in. Suppose If I major in Trash Pickups on Mondays not Tuesdays, I won't need to take the math or verbal tests that i won't even use while doing the job.

 

[Maetryx]

The test measure whether or not you should be accepted into a college program. You can't expect it to test you on a major that you haven't taken yet. Even if it is garbage collection.


--Maetryx

 

[Soybomb]

<< I won't need to take the math or verbal tests that i won't even use while doing the job. >>



I still say anything short of calulus is actually pretty dman useful math, I use trig alot, algebra is pretty necessary, etc. The verbal skills are always necessary. To get a good job and succed you must be an effective communicator, not just verbally but in written form as well. Alot of kids leave school not knowing how to write well. That is a skill everyone should have.