<p>That indeed is probably the whole point of the study in the context of exam success and more specifically literacy and numeracy- which is the OP topic - and that certainly does include performance on college assessments such as the SATs, ACT, and AP exams. The point that "in adolescence, there is a shift toward integrating what one knows rather than learning new basic skills" speaks volumes when it comes to the dynamics of learning. This study strongly suggests that the gender gap for both verbal and numerical aptitude is not as hard and fast or sharp as other studies and approaches suggest. So, in terms of academic performance - consolidating and integrating what is known and then acquiring the skills to process and multi-task on an abstract level is just as a critical a component of learning as impulse control, exercising good judgment, and making appropriate decisions because, alongside academics, isn't this what most kids are supposed to grapple with during their years in high school? Colleges look for maturity and the ability to improve. Students push themselves to excel and improve:</p>
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We dont know whether every childs performance slows during adolescence, or whether some children continue to improve, while others do not," Dr. Waber said. "It's also possible that our standard tests dont measure what really changes in adolescence. As we follow these children over time, we will have a better understanding of whats happening.
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<p>The booming college entrance test prep business is testimony to the view that improvement on exams such as the SAT is just as much a social skill as a measure of scholastic achievement. In most cases, these tests blur the lines between IQ, motor dexterity, language, and computation and all of these factors are called on when it comes to exam success.</p>
<p>Which does lead me to a different but related question which I have asked before on another thread - that of the new SAT and diminishing returns. The perennial question of when and then how many times should a student take and re-take the darn thing pops up constantly. Some kids in my S's class are going to get the result for their fourth try today- up till now, for the most part, it has been what I can only call a futile exercise in diminishing returns.</p>