Test optional is total BS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid got a 36 superscore…
Took it 3x

He had to report highest composite in a single sitting. Not the superscore on common app.

You can report superscore to individual schools

UVA does not allow it.

Most specify reporting total composite in ONE sitting and then you can report highest individual score for each section with date under that. This is how it is reported on the common app.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With grade inflation meaning everyone has a 4.4 or higher TO will be gone for most schools within 2 years. CA system, Ivies and a few schools will remain TO.

UC and CSU systems will be test blind until the UC Trustees awaken from their slumber, recognize that the value of a degree from Berkeley or Westwood or La Jolla has been torn to tatters during this TO / TB period, and identify a standardized tool to guide their admissions process. At that point, the CSU system may or may not follow suit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I am 100% for standardized tests. GPA can be inflated way more than what test prep can do for the average student.

But as you see, OP, the people have been successfully brainwashed into believing that testing benefits the rich tremendously and is therefore BAD. All the while entirely forgetting that it's not by many points, since a student can only go so far as their intellectual potential, and that most public schools, and some privates, have rampant grade inflation going on.

Just navigate your own kid's college admissions system as best you can. It's no use fighting about this online.

Husband was on Salvation Army charity as a poor kid and scored a near perfect 1600. My father also grew up very poor and was amazingly smart and aced every test, and got all kinds of merit to put him through school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you know that the percentage of students earning a 36 on the ACT is 17x higher today than 20 years ago? If grade inflation is such a problem, than this is, too.

https://www.applerouth.com/blog/2017/12/12/a-concerning-trend-continues-more-students-getting-perfect-36s-on-act/

GPA inflation: In 2023, it's not uncommon to have 10% or more of a graduating class with a 4.00 U/W GPAs.

ACT inflation: Even at 17x (or even 20 - 30x in 2023, prospectively), an ACT score of 36 is achieved by around 1/2 of 1% of test takers. A 36 in one-and-done fashion? Probably 1/8th of 1% of test takers.

0.100 vs. 0.001 ... now do you understand the absurdity of the comparison?

Our Arlington public high school had 200 valedictorians. You just had to be 4.0 minimum weighted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you know that the percentage of students earning a 36 on the ACT is 17x higher today than 20 years ago? If grade inflation is such a problem, than this is, too.

https://www.applerouth.com/blog/2017/12/12/a-concerning-trend-continues-more-students-getting-perfect-36s-on-act/

GPA inflation: In 2023, it's not uncommon to have 10% or more of a graduating class with a 4.00 U/W GPAs.

ACT inflation: Even at 17x (or even 20 - 30x in 2023, prospectively), an ACT score of 36 is achieved by around 1/2 of 1% of test takers. A 36 in one-and-done fashion? Probably 1/8th of 1% of test takers.

0.100 vs. 0.001 ... now do you understand the absurdity of the comparison?

Our Arlington public high school had 200 valedictorians. You just had to be 4.0 minimum weighted.

Yeah, I mean, the avalanche of evidence that grade inflation is THE PROBLEM is undeniable. It's not a popular position to take, but this capitulation w/r/t to standardized testing is resulting in a self-inflicted wound for the UC and CSU systems, and any other institutions around the country equally frightened off by standardized testing litigation.

[Anonymous]

MIT looked at the data and agreed with you, OP.

As a single mom without money, I hate that SAT scores have been conflated with privilege. It was something that my kids could work hard at, and achieve in, even without having money. You can do it if the desire is there. Now, it's "you have that score because you're rich." I hate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid got a 36 superscore…
Took it 3x

He had to report highest composite in a single sitting. Not the superscore on common app.

You can report superscore to individual schools

UVA does not allow it.

Most specify reporting total composite in ONE sitting and then you can report highest individual score for each section with date under that. This is how it is reported on the common app.

The schools have the option to choose what information they want to pull from the common app. So the schools that consider ACT superscore will specifically pull the highest section scores and then the school will calculate the superscore.

[Anonymous]

Test optional (unless you are a white, Indian, or Asian kid in which case 1500+ or get the f*** out)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Test optional (unless you are a white, Indian, or Asian kid in which case 1500+ or get the f*** out)

No, it’s very clear that white and Asian and Indian kids also get admitted test optional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid got a 36 superscore…
Took it 3x

He had to report highest composite in a single sitting. Not the superscore on common app.

You can report superscore to individual schools

UVA does not allow it.

Most specify reporting total composite in ONE sitting and then you can report highest individual score for each section with date under that. This is how it is reported on the common app.

The schools have the option to choose what information they want to pull from the common app. So the schools that consider ACT superscore will specifically pull the highest section scores and then the school will calculate the superscore.

+2 The schools don’t download 100% of the common app as you see it. When individual schools download your DC’s application they only download what they want to see or consider and create their application file. For example, if they aren’t interested in where mom and dad or siblings went to college, they don’t download that information. If they superscore, they set it up to just download the section scores and then calculate the composite superscore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am reading so many posts about kids with amazing GPAs and mediocre SAT/ACT scores. In this day and age of hugely inflated GPAs it makes more sense to me me that schools would require standardized test scores to at least see how these kids perform under that sort of pressure. College is not for the faint of heart (at least not at the top 20) and kids that can’t “cut it” with decent standardized scores really are doing themselves a disservice by attending and then not performing well on the exams and evaluations. So many people saying “Billy has a 5.0 GPA and all As and 10,000 AP classes but got a 1200 on the SAT…. Should we submit that to Stanford?” It’s driving me nuts. Not to mention that the only kids submitting scores are the ones who knock it out of the park which in turn just raises the average scores of those admitted. It’s a vicious cycle.

Well, your comments are predicted on your belief that SAT scores are indicative of intelligence and/or doing well under pressure. Others believe SAT scores are more indicative of family income (i.e. ability to afford test prep; better quality schools, etc.) or simply test-taking ability (some people who are intelligent suck at test taking). That said, SAT’s are not necessarily a predictor or college success, and I think your belief about “grade inflation” is overblown. My DD did not do test prep for the SAT and got a 1350 on it. She did not wish to re-take the test because she had other things to do. Since the SAT average at her school wears high, she chose to go TO because, compared to her peers, she was below average. That said, she had a high gpa and got 5s on her hardest (i.e. STEM) AP exams. Do you believe APs are inflated, too? If so, then why not SATs? FWIW, she’s rockin’ college right now, so that supposed grade inflation is moot.

Blah blah blah.

SAT scores reflect family income... because family income reflects intelligence and doing well under pressure, and therefore SAT score reflects intelligence and doing well under pressure.

SAT scores are the strongest predictor of college success that we have.

No more than essays cultivated and written by essay coaches for hire. Our neighbor had two college girls home on break write his essays for him. The thing about essays are you never know who write them. And people pay thousands of dollars for essay services.

At least with standardized testing, you need an ID and ticket and it’s incredibly hard to cheat.

But, but, but... Logic is hard for a lot of people or they are pushing an agenda that benefits their dumb kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Test optional (unless you are a white, Indian, or Asian kid in which case 1500+ or get the f*** out)

No, it’s very clear that white and Asian and Indian kids also get admitted test optional.

Not to the most selective schools unless legacy, child of major donor, recruited athlete, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Test optional (unless you are a white, Indian, or Asian kid in which case 1500+ or get the f*** out)

No, it’s very clear that white and Asian and Indian kids also get admitted test optional.

Not to the most selective schools unless legacy, child of major donor, recruited athlete, etc.

Which are predominantly white kids....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Test optional (unless you are a white, Indian, or Asian kid in which case 1500+ or get the f*** out)

No, it’s very clear that white and Asian and Indian kids also get admitted test optional.

Not to the most selective schools unless legacy, child of major donor, recruited athlete, etc.

Which are predominantly white kids....

Yeah, so the unhooked white kids need sky high scores if they want a chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Test optional (unless you are a white, Indian, or Asian kid in which case 1500+ or get the f*** out)

No, it’s very clear that white and Asian and Indian kids also get admitted test optional.

Not to the most selective schools unless legacy, child of major donor, recruited athlete, etc.

Which are predominantly white kids....

Yeah, so the unhooked white kids need sky high scores if they want a chance.

Yes, but the majority of white kids at these schools are hooked!