<p>scoring well on the SAT is about one thing and one thing only: taking enough practice tests so that you are familiar with the test.</p>
<p>seriously, kids at my school I would consider below average intelligence have gotten 770s and 790s on math- and big surprise, they've been taking SAT courses since freshman year. I think if I had done nothing but mad SAT work throughout high school I could get a high score like that, even if im of average or slightly below average intelligence.</p>
<p>analytical and mathematical abilities are what's measured on the SAT 1, i guess. but if there is no set universal definition or way of measuring intelligence, what's to say SAT is any more reliable than grades or an IQ test or whatever the f<em>u</em>c_k?</p>
<p>OK, for the sake of argument, I'll grant you that the SAT is a measure of intelligence.</p>
<p>Colleges want the high GPA kids because that's a sign of hard work. Who gives a flying f<em>u</em>c_k-there are plenty of smart ppl, not as many hard workers.</p>
<p>That being said, I'll be happy if I don't get into Stanford or Harvard or Chicago. I'm not sure how much I want to go to an academic powerhouse school.</p>
<p>Hard work has to accompany intelligence, though. Hard work will only take you so far if you're not too bright. Getting into a place like Harvard won't do you much good if you aren't smart, just a hard worker, because your hard work won't necessarily be able to carry you through college.</p>
<p>oh come on this is ridiculous. what you guys need to understand is that the GPA and SAT represent the intelligence levels of the various applicants in two completely different situations. On one hand you have four years to solidify your GPA, to make sure that it is flawless, and if you choose not to do that...than oh well, that will show.On the other hand you are pressured for 3 hours? (i seriously forgot) in a room with kids in the same situation as you are. You're all sweating profusely trying to beat the clock and show that you have the capability to draw on information you've accumulated for the past several years. that does show some degree of intelligence because colleges want to see who is systematic, consistent, and ambitious through the GPA and who is quick to think and spontaneous through the SAT.</p>
<p>certain people also need to understand that once you're outta college you're not going to have 4 years, 1 week, the day after christmas break, or absentee days to finish up and hand in your work. life comes at you fast and colleges want to see who is well equipped with 4 years of general knowledge to handle life. THATS WHY THE SAT's MATTER. because you have to beat the clock and be quick on your feet using general highschool knowledge.</p>
<p>a genius is capable of all things. a true genius' ability isnt confined to just the GPA or the SAT. a genius has panoramic vision and so he confronts tasks with equal dedication and thought. thus, if you have a high gpa and a low SAT or vice-versa, im sorry your not a genius. your trying to twist the definition of a genius to your own self-image.</p>
<p>I would want anyone running this country who took a year to make decisions (quickness). Nor would I want anyone who isnt sure of the decisions they make (thoroughness).</p>
<p>all good arguments, i must say. i did well on the sat, so im not trying to rationalize the whole thing.</p>
<p>GPA shows consistency. SAT is one 3 hour period, there are just too many variables. some people just aren't good test takers, and that's definetley a non sequitor, there's no correlation between taking a standardized test and succeeding in life or the business world, etc. My uncle had SATs in the 1200s and he's a quite skilled surgeon. Whatever, I'm graduating this spring, and the SATs won't affect me anymore, so it is what it is.</p>
<p>"there's no correlation between taking a standardized test and succeeding in life or the business world"</p>
<p>Yes there is.</p>
<p>This is so cliché, but SAT scores aren't everything. They are relevant in the college admissions process and maybe to a slight degree in the job search, but SAT scores are nowhere near the biggest factor. While a high SAT may open doors to more jobs, once you get the job, it is all you and your work. If your boss is unhappy with your performance, it doesn't matter how high your SAT score is. He/she won't say "oh, so-and-so isn't doing a good job, but has high SAT scores, so I won't fire him/her." I haven't heard of one boss who has had this attitude. </p>
<p>A high SAT score means nothing if you don't have ambition. It would be like a Rolls-Royce w/a bad engine; it has great potential, but doesn't work well enough or hard enough. I know several intelligent people who have low-paying jobs because they didn't have any kind of motivation or ambition.</p>
<p>Believe what you want koolcrud, but this is my opinion based on what I have seen.</p>
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seriously, kids at my school I would consider below average intelligence have gotten 770s and 790s on math
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<p>iloveschool: What makes you cosnider these kids "below average intelligence"? Maybe they are smart kids who aren't that motivated...</p>
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ol, this is a very controversial topic i see. anyway, putting in my two cents, i see the SAT as necessary. Although not exactly an IQ test, the SAT does test intelligence to some extent. Being prepable, however, is its downfall. And to the idea of it not being accurate because valedictorians getting 1600s etc, i think that's a stupid argument. Becoming valedictorian does not always test intelligence. It tests work habit more than anything. At my school, sadly, our valedictorian is a moron; she studies for three hours for every math test, takes two days for every test, and sucks up to her teachers. Naturally, she scored poorly on her SATs...Anyway, what I'm getting to is this: she will probaby be sucessful despite her lack of intelligence (as shown by her standardized test scores) because human sucess is not based on innate intelligence or anything single thing--it's based on many aspects, the most important being ambition and work habits. Colleges recognize this and sometimes make exceptions to their SAT averages."
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<p>lol at my school the valedictorian scored a 2360 on her sats and a 1580 on math and reading</p>
<p>Hepstar, there is a correlation between SAT score and future earnings. It's not really debatable.</p>
<p>Okay! Here is my opinion!!!!! The SAT, The ACT, and any other standardized test proves nothing more than how well you can take the test. If a student can call up a tutor and easily be guarenteed a 2100 or above on the test. What does that prove? That proves that a person can receive a great score by spending money on tutors and books for the test. Although my scores aren't horrible and I am not a complete advocate of a "no testing" policy because i do believe that national standardized testing is mandatory to assess the levels of students, I feel that the SAT and the ACT are partial to students from higher incomed families. A student from my school took the ACT for the first time last year and received a 24, after going to a tutor (because his family could afford it) he received a 33 (approximately two months later).</p>
<p>monacate:</p>
<p>Your classmate that got 24 then got 33..........isnt that called learning and gaining of knowledge?</p>
<p>How many people get tutors, get special help, go to seminars, and still end end with low scores.........how would you account for that?</p>
<p>People like to talk about the ones that do well after getting help, but what about the ones that dont, no one mentions that fact!</p>
<p>Someone who is of low intelligence, and cant grasp the knowledge will not get a good score, its plain and simple. Standardized test should be used more often. Look at how many bone-heads out there know nothing about the very country they live in (and sometimes are in positions of power where they affect the lives of others).</p>
<p>You also have to remember that standardized tests put people on a level playing field. If a person goes to a school, and receives special treatment (say for example because the parents a best friends with the teachers, or say because of religious beliefs) and ends with a great GPA. If the standardized tests didnt exist then this person would get admitted into university over someone who actually did the hard work but had a lower GPA because they didnt get special treatment or favortisms.</p>
<p>So standardized tests give a forum to show what you know and what you can mentally do, and there is no one to swing your score one way or another just because of the parents prestige, influence...etc</p>
<p>All right... first of all, GPA is much much more dependant on work and sucking up(many many teachers will let favored students retake exams or do extra credit) than actual knowledge. I've been in classes, done much better on tests than many people, and had a much lower overall grade because I didn't do homework or extra credit.</p>
<p>And as for the SATs, they don't just test the SATs. Yes, it can be confusing if you've never studied the format before or took it. For example, I took the PSAT in 10th grade(I had no idea what it was like) and got a 190 something, didn't study, and took it again junior year and got a 210. I studied maybe one day for the actual SATs, and got over 1500/1600 and over 2200/2400. You don't need to study more than a day to get the format down, if your really intelligent. </p>
<p>I honestly can't see how you can be a genius and not do good on the SATs. The math is really very simple stuff, that actually requires logic skills more than math skills. The vocab part of verbal is small, and most of the words in the text can be figured out by context. The only part I think is bs is writing.</p>
<p>Seriously... if you can't do well on the SAT but have high GPA or high IQ tests think back. Many people have higher IQs at young ages since they develop earlier than other people, it does not mean you are a genius. Also, if you have a high GPA that is much more dependant on you working hard than actual intelligence. I know people who are not very smart at all, and get As in AP classes simply by working hard. The SAT is a neccessary evil, and in my opinion, a test that is really not that hard. People set huge expectations for themselves based on other factors that can often be misleading. IMO, the SAT should only be allowed to be taken once at a designated time around the country(with one make up date for those who can't make it) and not be allowed to be taken again. Also, they should not have SAT prep and study classes. That way it correlates much more to innate intelligence.</p>
<p>Sadly you guys are the downfall of our nation. i bet you guys all come from a household which receives more than 60000 dollars a year. It is so unfortunate that you don't see how a test proves your capabilities. The point of the SAT is not the level intelligence of the applicant but the potential this person has at being college bound. I am sickened by your lack of care for others. There are people i know that spend time worrying about when their father is getting out of jail and when they will see their crack addicted mother again, while fortunately some people only have to worry about the SATs and getting passing marks. This elitist attitude is unfortunately accepted in our society. So sad, I'm moving to CANADA!!!!</p>
<p>You're wrong. I came from a low income family ($13,000/year). My dad was disabled, and then in my senior year of high school got brain cancer and died 3 months later. Then my mother got sick as well (MS).</p>
<p>But I stuck through, I worked hard and I did really well, I got admitted and graduated university. So dont give me that s<em>h</em>*_t that just because things get hard you arent able to do anything! Its just another excuse for those that dont/cant make it!</p>
<p>"a genius is capable of all things. a true genius' ability isnt confined to just the GPA or the SAT. a genius has panoramic vision and so he confronts tasks with equal dedication and thought. thus, if you have a high gpa and a low SAT or vice-versa, im sorry your not a genius. your trying to twist the definition of a genius to your own self-image."</p>
<p>i think everyone should read the above by gh0strec0n and reflect ... hehe</p>
<p>no, im serious actually, it made sense to me at least, and now I feel a bit guilty, its time i fix myself ...</p>
<p>this thread is ridiculous(ly long). </p>
<p>there have been multiple proven studies that your high school SAT score will VERY CLOSELY correlate to your GPA and performance ability in college - if the SAT were deemed a pointless determinant of ANYTHING, then why would so many smart, intelligent adults of the country's highest ranked universities order around helpess teenages to slave off in the summer and memorize vocabulary instead of dedicating that time to something more worthwhile? </p>
<p>of course, i'm completely biased because i have fairly high sat scores with a mediocre gpa. EVERYONE is biased. you cannot find one single person in this thread with a high SAT score that will not defend the SAT. you probably will not find a single person on this FORUM with a low SAT score that will not bash the SAT. that's human nature folks. </p>
<p>and although there are those that moan and groan that they have a high GPA/low SAT or low GPA/high SAT - that's just US here at collegeconfidential. if you look at naviance scattergrams, for example, THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE have matching SAT/GPAs. MOST PEOPLE with ridiculously high SAT scores = high GPAs. and you do not often see someone with a 2.0GPA scoring in the 2300+'s (of course, the are exceptions, but we're talking majority here)</p>
<p>some of you may want to read this: <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/research/pdf/06-1007.RD.CB%20Report%20-06-3Cvr.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.collegeboard.com/research/pdf/06-1007.RD.CB%20Report%20-06-3Cvr.pdf</a></p>
<p>it's a 2006 study released by collegeboard discussing SAT its correlation to high school and college GPA/IQ/intelligence, and whatnot. pretty interesting :)</p>
<p>From OP: "Anyone can memorize a couple of hundreds of words, learn the write technique to a write a proper essay, and answer 9th grade math and can probably score over 2000+"</p>
<p>Then why can't you? If you can, why are you complaining?</p>