If you could change one thing about the SAT/ACT...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Extra time available to all kids that want to make use of it not only certain diagnoses.

I agree. The extra time accommodation is another way some kids and families game the system. Kids with resources/UMC know how to get the extra time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get rid of the so-called "traps" in the math section. Either measure math aptitude or not. Don't make kids have to do prep to see how College Board tries to trick you into the wrong answer.

What are the traps on the math section? It's been so long since I took it and my kids are younger.

There are no traps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get rid of the so-called "traps" in the math section. Either measure math aptitude or not. Don't make kids have to do prep to see how College Board tries to trick you into the wrong answer.

I agree. But I would take away most of the multi choice and have integer answers for most of the questions (easy to input) since most tests are electronic now anyway. Take away the chance to get lucky guessing. That would remove the incentive for people who can afford it to sit the test a hundred times.

Tell me you bombed the math SAT without telling me you bombed the math SAT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:...what would you change?

I would shorten the math and reading sections and replace them with science and history sections. There are 4 core subjects of equal importance, not 2, and there are many students who excel in these areas but do not get a chance to showcase them.

If you can’t read or count, your history and science scores won’t impress anyone.

[Anonymous]

Allow extra time for everyone, not just people with fake or real diagnoses. However, anyone who uses the extra time gets an asterisk next to the score, that colleges would be able to take account of when making admissions decisions. This would, I hope, restrict people willing to use extra time to the ones for whom it actually makes a significant difference, and help reduce the mismatch problem.

Runner ups:

Restore the free response math, b/c I have seen private data from a university department that showed there is a noticeable fraction of students with relatively high math scores who do well on simple algebra/geometry problems which are multiple choice, but completely fall apart when trying to do them without the crutch of already having the answer available: they can winnow things down, but not generate the answers on their own.

Ban calculators; too easy to cheat with fake ones, among more obvious reasons.

Essay brought back for all, and used in place of the chatgpt generated ones students are submitting to colleges.

Longer reading passages, drawing from older, more complex material.

Restore the analogy section: a verbal test without analogies is like a thingie without some thingie that makes it better, yo.

More difficult questions that allow better distinguishing the wheat from the chaff. A JEE/Gaokao section, perhaps. Probably goes along with bringing back the subject exams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Allow extra time for everyone, not just people with fake or real diagnoses. However, anyone who uses the extra time gets an asterisk next to the score, that colleges would be able to take account of when making admissions decisions. This would, I hope, restrict people willing to use extra time to the ones for whom it actually makes a significant difference, and help reduce the mismatch problem.

Runner ups:

Restore the free response math, b/c I have seen private data from a university department that showed there is a noticeable fraction of students with relatively high math scores who do well on simple algebra/geometry problems which are multiple choice, but completely fall apart when trying to do them without the crutch of already having the answer available: they can winnow things down, but not generate the answers on their own.

Ban calculators; too easy to cheat with fake ones, among more obvious reasons.

Essay brought back for all, and used in place of the chatgpt generated ones students are submitting to colleges.

Longer reading passages, drawing from older, more complex material.

Restore the analogy section: a verbal test without analogies is like a thingie without some thingie that makes it better, yo.

More difficult questions that allow better distinguishing the wheat from the chaff. A JEE/Gaokao section, perhaps. Probably goes along with bringing back the subject exams.

Oh, also removing the continuous retakes that advantage the well-heeled and put cash in the College Board's pocket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Extra time available to all kids that want to make use of it not only certain diagnoses.

I agree. The extra time accommodation is another way some kids and families game the system. Kids with resources/UMC know how to get the extra time.

I know this is happening, but how? Are parents paying for fake diagnoses of ADHD? How does this work for parents with resources and the money to do this. Enlighten me, please!

I know these kids get extra time on tests. They take part of it one day, go home, research and take the test the next day and get all As. How does this work with the SAT?

[Anonymous]

Make it enforceable for public schools to allow kids living close by to take them there, reducing travel time.

[Anonymous]

2 attempts, max.

Score(s) reported to all schools.

No super scoring.

Writing required, for the reasons noted above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Allow extra time for everyone, not just people with fake or real diagnoses. However, anyone who uses the extra time gets an asterisk next to the score, that colleges would be able to take account of when making admissions decisions. This would, I hope, restrict people willing to use extra time to the ones for whom it actually makes a significant difference, and help reduce the mismatch problem.

Runner ups:

Restore the free response math, b/c I have seen private data from a university department that showed there is a noticeable fraction of students with relatively high math scores who do well on simple algebra/geometry problems which are multiple choice, but completely fall apart when trying to do them without the crutch of already having the answer available: they can winnow things down, but not generate the answers on their own.

Ban calculators; too easy to cheat with fake ones, among more obvious reasons.

Essay brought back for all, and used in place of the chatgpt generated ones students are submitting to colleges.

Longer reading passages, drawing from older, more complex material.

Restore the analogy section: a verbal test without analogies is like a thingie without some thingie that makes it better, yo.

More difficult questions that allow better distinguishing the wheat from the chaff. A JEE/Gaokao section, perhaps. Probably goes along with bringing back the subject exams.

And punish them for needing the extra time. Nice.

Better to give everyone the extra time.

[Anonymous]

I work in education.

I would require it for admissions to all US four year colleges.

Must report all scores, can only take it 3 times max.

Also no accommodations allowed, so many game that system and get extra time.