<p>So what's your view on tests like the SAT? Are they a good indicator of intelligence? Or are they a waste of time?</p>
<p>I wanted to ask this question because I found my parent's scores interesting. My mom had average grades in high school, and hated math. She had to work very hard to get her nursing degree. My dad was valevictorian of his high school (which was pretty large), and survived med school without too many problems. However, my dad got a 1280-90 on his SAT, and my mom got a 1340. To this day, my dad still doesn't believe my mom's score. </p>
<p>Maybe, but it would have to be very crude in measurement since there are several factors contributing to a person’s score other than his intelligence: amount of preparation, familiarity, adeptness in language and/or math etc. However, for someone to score in the very high SAT score range (2000-2400), I do believe that that person has to be of at least above average intelligence, or be very highly motivated.</p>
<p>Interesting scenario. Difficulty of courses really varies from school to school so that could play a factor. I think such standardized tests can indicate whether one is smart or not, but not much more than that. Like my SAT score makes me seem a lot smarter than I really am when all I did was prep a lot.</p>
<p>I think that is a problem too. I mean, there is absolutely nothing wrong with studying for a test, but I though the SAT’s were supposed to be a measure of intelligence, not of how well you can study for something. Because they really aren’t that hard. Also, did they have SAT prep materials out there (that were legal) back then?</p>
<p>its a sham. a measure of “intelligence”? lol. For what its worth it just a measure of how well you have caught on in your math and english classes.</p>
<p>1280 and 1340 is basically the same thing statistically in my opinion. It’s like answering like 3 more questions right. I took the SAT 3 times and my scores ranged from 1250 to 1350 so it was just luck of the draw if I knew the questions or not. Now if we’re talking 1000 and 1300 then we have a difference. I think SAT isn’t so much for intelligence as just basic things you should be able to do (especially in the math section). If you get below 500 in the math section I’d say you’re going to struggle in college.</p>
<p>Definitely not, unless my intelligence increased by the equivalent of 500 points in one year. The SAT measures how well and how fast you can take the SAT.</p>
<p>I wasn’t trying to emphasize the differences in scores so much as the differences in intelligence. My dad says he always took too long on the math section, and that was reflected in his score. I do too, and I don’t think you should be tested on how fast you can do a math problem as long as you know the process. The only people who need to do math problems fast are engineers.</p>
<p>Also, I completely agree with the English thing. Spelling and grammar rules were made up in the 17-18th century to make things “easier” for people to read; (back then, everyone spelled everything their own way). We shouldn’t be tested on such a trivial thing now.</p>
<p>Not really; it’s more a measure of how well you can answer questions under a time crunch. </p>
<p>Another thing I’ve found interesting is that, while I feel I’m a good math student and can take pre-calc/calc with little difficulty, the SAT Math section always throws me off.</p>
<p>Anyway, it’s such an easily influenced type of test, that I’m glad it only counts as a portion of college admissions.</p>
<p>I think that SATs are an indication of intelligence if you do well on them without prepping or studying. I do NOT think that doing poorly on the SAT is necessarily a sign that you are not bright, however. One of my sons is severely dyslexic. Even with accommodations, his standardized testing scores are not great. However, he and his brother (National Merit commended with no studying or prep at all) have virtually identical verbal IQ’s. Due to the dyslexia, their performance IQs have a 30+ point discrepancy which impacts my younger son’s math scores and his visual spatial issues.</p>
<p>@iluvbooks: You should take the ACT. It has a lot more pre-calc in it. I know because there were some concepts that it covered that we hadn’t gotten to in class yet, haha. Still managed to pull a 29 overall though.</p>
<p>I do have to say that the science portion of the ACT sucks. It tries to cover all the subjects of science, which results in it being a test on your ability to read graphs more than a test on actual scientific knowledge.</p>
<p>About the different SAT scores make you think don’t it. It could be because the test was done differently by your parent. When I took the PSAT in my sophmore year I had some pretty high scores especially in Math. But this time around I scores drop dramatically shockingly in math which is my strongest strongest whenever I take a test.
I took and awfully long time on the PSAT section in Math and I miss more than half of them. It is definitively goes by how fast you can get it done. Not how smart you are or how much you study (can you really study what you haven’t learned?).</p>
<p>It’s not a good measure of intelligence. not by a long shot. I like that they aren’t easy to study for, because in my opinion you shouldn’t be able to study for a true test of intelligence. in that sense, they are the best option we’ve got, but a far-cry from a true test of intelligence.</p>
<p>I know a kid who got through HL math and got a 5 on his AP Calc BC test Junior year, with minimal studying. couldn’t keep himself from making stupid mistakes and maxed out at 750 on the SAT math section. another kid was dumb as a brick, got SAT tutoring, didn’t make any silly mistakes, and scored 800. everyone at my school knows which one is actually good at math.</p>
<p>I think Standardized test are really bad for people who can’t test well such as myself. The CRES test are really pointless. If you don’t get a passing average you don’t pass the class. I don’t think I’ll do well on the SAT, I just can’t test well. I’m stupid, I just get super nervous and screw up.</p>
<p>It is unfortunate that our system is so focused on testing and test scores. There is just no way that these tests are a true measure of a persons intelligence. What you have to wonder is exactly what a test like the SAT is measuring. Is it a good judge of how much knowledge people have or how well they studied? The truth is that some people simply test better than others, and that only means that they can take a test well, not that they are smarter.</p>
<p>One big problem with all of the focus being put on testing in the years before college is that the teachers are being directed to prepare students to do better on the test instead of regular studies. That is a mistake because it means that there is too much focus on test material to the detriment of other studies.</p>
<p>What are these kids missing out on while they are doing all this test prep? It is an unfortunate avenue that our school system has gone down.</p>
<p>Just look at what is happening with the Florida F-Cat test. This is a test that kids will take several different times throughout their school life. It is taken in grade school, middle school, and high school. The fear that this test instills is fierce because at different times, such as a senior graduating from high school, because failing the test means not graduating.</p>
<p>At other points a failing or bad enough grade will mean that the child does not pass the grade and is held back. Being held back just because of a test is so wrong. There is no consideration at all for the grades that the child has earned all the year through. That is such a one sided judgement call.</p>
<p>Another problem with putting so much emphasis on testing is the end result of test scores. In Florida, and other places probably, Some of these test scores will mean that the school either gets extra cash or not budgeted from the state. Basically if enough kids do well enough on certain tests, the school will receive more funds. That means that the teachers will be pushed relentlessly to prepare their students for that test at the loss of other studies. What a terrible disservice we are doing to our kids with this.</p>
<p>@joynjoyness Oh yeah, I think the ACT is more of my type of test. I’ll be taking both to see which I do better on, but even so reviewing for the ACT makes it seem more suited to my needs as a student.</p>
<p>No, the SAT is not a good predictor of one’s intelligence, however intelligent people often do well on the SAT for a variety of reasons not related to their intelligence (larger knowledge of vocabulary than their peers, etc.).</p>
<p>Standardized tests tend to serve their purpose well I think. But they do other things besides serve their purpose like cause kids stress. </p>
<p>I’m not sure. Measuring intelligence (even if crudely) obviously has the potential to be very helpful to society and make people happier and everything (it is very powerful information). but the sad thing is the process is kind of painful. it’s probably worth it though.</p>
I’ll be taking both to see which I do better on, but even so reviewing for the ACT makes it seem more suited to my needs as a student.</p>