Cogat culturally biased?

[Anonymous]

I was surprised to see the sample questions relating to tennis, camping, and stringed instruments. I was taken aback.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t know because I haven’t looked at any questions ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was surprised to see the sample questions relating to tennis, camping, and stringed instruments. I was taken aback.

Why were you "taken aback"? What did you expect - questions on Pelota, Tea ceremony and the Tabla?

[Anonymous]

This forum some real funny characters ?

[Anonymous]

It is one of the reasons they introduced the NNAT into the mix.

[Anonymous]

I think the CogAt's insistence on the kids not being able to read to take the test makes it difficult for the verbal questions.

When we did the samples a few years ago, there were picture questions with a typewriter, a desktop computer, and a woman talking on a large handheld telephone. My child did not know what these were pictures of.

[Anonymous]

I have no idea as I've never seen the questions but I know both my older black kids bombed the CogAT and both have IQs over 150. It was odd to us. Our older child is homeschooled but does some college courses. She's 12. Our younger child is in 3rd in AAP. We usually start homeschool at 6th grade. IMO it's all culturally biased based on who designs the test, but there's nothing you can do about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea as I've never seen the questions but I know both my older black kids bombed the CogAT and both have IQs over 150. It was odd to us. Our older child is homeschooled but does some college courses. She's 12. Our younger child is in 3rd in AAP. We usually start homeschool at 6th grade. IMO it's all culturally biased based on who designs the test, but there's nothing you can do about it.

I think thats because some of the questions could conceivably have more than one correct answer, to a child who is a complicated or creative thinker. There is sometimes an Obvious Answer (which is what the test makers count as the "right" answer) and another way the question could be interpreted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea as I've never seen the questions but I know both my older black kids bombed the CogAT and both have IQs over 150. It was odd to us. Our older child is homeschooled but does some college courses. She's 12. Our younger child is in 3rd in AAP. We usually start homeschool at 6th grade. IMO it's all culturally biased based on who designs the test, but there's nothing you can do about it.

I think thats because some of the questions could conceivably have more than one correct answer, to a child who is a complicated or creative thinker. There is sometimes an Obvious Answer (which is what the test makers count as the "right" answer) and another way the question could be interpreted.

Op here. This. Like pictures where you have know be able to differentiate between a tennis ball and baseball. Seriously? I never touched a tennis ball until college.

[Anonymous]

I'm an ESOL teacher and proctor or TA for so many standardized tests. Most of them are culturally biased or just plain contain content not familiar to modern children. My (least) favorite is the entry test for Pre-K students where 4 year olds need to retell a story about a shoemaker. A shoemaker!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea as I've never seen the questions but I know both my older black kids bombed the CogAT and both have IQs over 150. It was odd to us. Our older child is homeschooled but does some college courses. She's 12. Our younger child is in 3rd in AAP. We usually start homeschool at 6th grade. IMO it's all culturally biased based on who designs the test, but there's nothing you can do about it.

If two kids with IQs over 150 bombed the test then that pretty much invalidates the test. That’s worthy of academic publication. Do you think it was all attributable to cultural bias?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea as I've never seen the questions but I know both my older black kids bombed the CogAT and both have IQs over 150. It was odd to us. Our older child is homeschooled but does some college courses. She's 12. Our younger child is in 3rd in AAP. We usually start homeschool at 6th grade. IMO it's all culturally biased based on who designs the test, but there's nothing you can do about it.

If two kids with IQs over 150 bombed the test then that pretty much invalidates the test. That’s worthy of academic publication. Do you think it was all attributable to cultural bias?

There have already been academic publications saying this. That's where PP got the idea from.

[Anonymous]

I'm confused.. People are complaining that these tests are "culturally biased" on the one hand and yet, Asians are doing extremely well on these tests. Are the Asians creating these tests? Do they have pictures of Samosas and Elephants?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea as I've never seen the questions but I know both my older black kids bombed the CogAT and both have IQs over 150. It was odd to us. Our older child is homeschooled but does some college courses. She's 12. Our younger child is in 3rd in AAP. We usually start homeschool at 6th grade. IMO it's all culturally biased based on who designs the test, but there's nothing you can do about it.

If two kids with IQs over 150 bombed the test then that pretty much invalidates the test. That’s worthy of academic publication. Do you think it was all attributable to cultural bias?

This is the PP. I don't know what to attribute it to, but I'm not sure it invalidates the test. Maybe it's coincidence, maybe my kids just suck at the CogAt (it's not an IQ test). Whether it's culturally biased or not it doesn't matter. It is what it is and we all have to fit within the system. My kids are minorities in America. They're squirrels in deerland (great book, BTW) so we have to make the best of it. Because I know we always start homeschooling in 6th, I don't stress about AAP too much. That said, this board has always been helpful to me and I hope to contribute to other parents on here when I can. My 3rd child is in 2nd now and will take the CogAT this year. We'll see how she does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm confused.. People are complaining that these tests are "culturally biased" on the one hand and yet, Asians are doing extremely well on these tests. Are the Asians creating these tests? Do they have pictures of Samosas and Elephants?

Asians prep. They spend time explaining to their kids what a shoemaker is or a typewriter. White people and non-Asian/non-whites do not.