Test Optional : Game Changer

[Anonymous]

How quickly people forget one of the advantages of the SATs was that it allowed colleges to look beyond the elite prep schools whose academics were easily understood to the thousands of unremarkable public high schools across the nation. A high SAT score allowed colleges to see the diamond in the rough languishing in small town or lower income high schools because there was no other way to easily evaluate the standard of academics at those schools to see if the student was capable of handling the college workloads. Solid As at a small town high school doesn't always mean much. But a 1400 SAT coming out of a small town high school could say a lot.

Anyway, we all know the real reason the the colleges made the SATs optional. And with any changes, there are winners and losers. We'll see if this lasts.

[Anonymous]

It totally is, but it makes people feel better to blame URMs when their kids aren't accepted. Somehow, the fact that schools are receiving record numbers of applications (UVA more than 50K, Northeastern 91K & NYU 100K), never seems to factor into their understanding.

[Anonymous]

If you have the means to do test prep and don’t submit a test score, I would think at some schools some of these applicants may be viewed with skepticism. But if the school has the admissions capacity to take a harder look at all applications rather than rely on scores to cull applicants, test optional benefits all, wealthy and not so wealthy.

[Anonymous]

My son is more intelligent than 99% of you people on here. This has been evidenced in multiple testing scenarios. It is objective fact that his IQ makes him smarter than almost anybody he ever encounters. He could barely break 1300 on the SAT or 25 on the ACT. He has severed ADHD and exec function disorder. It's true, he won't be a surgeon. But he is capable of changing the world in posiitve ways. He's not only smart, but a great kid in many ways. He goes to a top 25 university who took him even with his 1310. And his grades weren't even that great. YOu cannot use your vaunted "stats" to prevent smart kids from achieving great things. Most of you making these assumptions about standardized tests just don't know what you're talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Strong correlation between test scores and general intelligence. It’s funny how the people who complain incessantly about standardized tests are inevitably low performers.

As long as prep is allowed, this is a dumb statement. According to you, my kid who got a 1500 without any prep at all was judged “as smart” as someone who spent $6,000 to bring a 1300 up to a 1500. My other kid got an 1180. They’ve both had multiple IQ tests and are in the same range. Dream on about the SAT being an IQ test. It is not.

I have two children as well and my 1550 kid is more intelligent than my 1170 kid. Just a fact. They both prepped a little through KHan and took a few paid proctored practice tests. $30 each. I don’t believe standardized tests scores are not linked to intelligence.. not only factor for sure but one. But I sure as hell think it is a better indicator than teacher recommendations at 2,000 student public high school!

+ 1. My DC1 and DC2 are about the same IQ-wise. Both scored similarly in practice SAT tests in 10th grade, in the 98th percentile. DC1 ended up with a 1580 SAT and 3.9+ UW GPA and is at a T10 college. DC2 will likely end up a similar SAT score but a 3.5-3.6 GPA showing a difference in level of effort and conscientiousness. If colleges want to know if a student can cut in with their rigorous programs, they should absolutely look at test scores.

I can't for the life of me see how your little anecdote proves the validity of test scores. So weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 10th grade son is 2e. Tests at 135 GAI. He was getting straight As but panicked, apparently, and got a 1100 on his PSAT. I’m assuming it will go up for the SAT but I’m not sure how much test prep to pour into this when he’s probably a good TO candidate.

My advice:
Take a mock SAT test and/or ACT through an educational company that offers the service (we did this- I think it was $20 per test, and my kid learned that she had a definite preference for SAT)
Use the results to target prep, get a tutor if feasible
If the high school offers it (I don’t know if all do) choose NOT to put test results on transcript
Take test, preferably twice- allows for a bit more targeted prep before second test and lowers the pressure of only testing once
Choose to submit results to schools or go TO, keeping in mind that many schools accept super scores- the best score for each section from multiple tests

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Test optional is a smokescreen to perpetuate admission discrimination and everyone knows it. Can’t wait for the Supreme Court to rule on these “holistic” policies. Low achievers love them but I hope everyone who supports test optional chooses a degree optional doctor for their next major surgery.

I'm not against having a test....but the current ones are not accurate reflections of success in college. I have two children. One is high achieving in every way but works hard for it. Studied like crazy to earn a good score on the SAT/ACT but does very well on AP exams. We are lucky enough to be able to afford test prep for my child who wanted to work hard to improve their score. Not everyone is so lucky. DC will attend their first choice college and I'm confident will be successful.Younger sibling is a "low achiever" but great at tests like the SAT/ACT. Did absolutely no studying for it and got the same score the older child. Yet, struggles to pass AP exams because they don't study. I have a lot of concerns about success in college unless a lot of things change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Years ago an admissions officer told me that like braces, a high test score mostly just tells you that the family has money.

What a stupid statement. There is free pre in Khan Academy. You don’t need money to prepare for the test.

No. The PP's comment is spot on and even confirmed by the College Board. Students from families with an annual income of more than $200,000 scored an average of 388 points higher on the SAT than those from families making less than $20,000 annually.

SAT test preparation / tutoring is $250M of a billion dollar industry.

Khan Academy receives millions of dollars for SAT preparation services.

Interesting article:

http://www.thelariatonline.com/the-sat-prep-struggle-students-who-cannot-afford-sat-prep-courses-are-at-a-disadvantage/