ETS and the new SATs
Out with the old and in with the new. Welcome to the new world of standardized testing. Though we testing services value the practicality and invaluable concepts presented in Algebra II enough to now include them, we acknowledge that abstract mathematical reasoning is not longer critical. Gone are the days of colon marked comparisons to be replaced with new reading questions. A new writing section will be added to drive up test costs and also ensure that only well educated students with perfect grammar will get into the college of their choice.
The question to asked is, do these changes really get at the heart of college success? SAT's are one of a few gates through which a student must pass to gain access to certain colleges and universities. Perhaps I am mistaken, but I've always believed such testing was created to predict college success. I've never loved the system and to this day do not believe that the goal is being achieved, but I do believe that some of these changes will help ETS get where it should be. The addition of the essay section will be hated by students, but allows a better window into a students mind than multiple choice questions. It can demonstrate reasoning ability, communication skills, and organization, all of which are critical components for college success. As far as the analogies go, I'm just surprised they've lasted this long. Most people know that analogy scores demonstrate vocabulary size more than comparative skill anyway.
I do see some problems with the changes though. For one thing...where did this grammar section come from?! Though comma placement and phrasing can hinder communication, it isn't so critical to college success that a whole section should be dedicated to it. Isn't that why we are required to take those dumb entry level writing classes?! Secondly, the addition of Algebra II type questions appears to be a random move to further weed out students from less advanced math programs. Never in real life will a person need to know anything taught in Algebra II, so why test it? Because the colleges demand it. With an increase in college enrollment, colleges are looking for anything to further weed out student applications. This means "tougher" math and additional testing areas.
I applaud ETS's initiative to change a faulty testing system, but their changes should be thought through with more attention to student success and less attention to demands of universities. As a gatekeeper to college education, ETS has a responsibility to accurately represent the ability and potential success of students.
The question to asked is, do these changes really get at the heart of college success? SAT's are one of a few gates through which a student must pass to gain access to certain colleges and universities. Perhaps I am mistaken, but I've always believed such testing was created to predict college success. I've never loved the system and to this day do not believe that the goal is being achieved, but I do believe that some of these changes will help ETS get where it should be. The addition of the essay section will be hated by students, but allows a better window into a students mind than multiple choice questions. It can demonstrate reasoning ability, communication skills, and organization, all of which are critical components for college success. As far as the analogies go, I'm just surprised they've lasted this long. Most people know that analogy scores demonstrate vocabulary size more than comparative skill anyway.
I do see some problems with the changes though. For one thing...where did this grammar section come from?! Though comma placement and phrasing can hinder communication, it isn't so critical to college success that a whole section should be dedicated to it. Isn't that why we are required to take those dumb entry level writing classes?! Secondly, the addition of Algebra II type questions appears to be a random move to further weed out students from less advanced math programs. Never in real life will a person need to know anything taught in Algebra II, so why test it? Because the colleges demand it. With an increase in college enrollment, colleges are looking for anything to further weed out student applications. This means "tougher" math and additional testing areas.
I applaud ETS's initiative to change a faulty testing system, but their changes should be thought through with more attention to student success and less attention to demands of universities. As a gatekeeper to college education, ETS has a responsibility to accurately represent the ability and potential success of students.