<p>Oh I write much more than I use math and I'm an architect. But I have used trig fairly regularly and even used algebra to figure out whether a storage place with a higher initial cost but lower monthly rates was a better deal than one that cost less the first month, but more after that. </p>
<p>I like the idea of testing writing, but I do think it gets tested better on the APs than it does on the current version of the SAT.</p>
<p>catherine's question is a good one, but I would rephrase it slightly to reflect the SAT's use as a predictor of college success: is the ability to write quickly, clearly and creatively a useful skill in college? In my case, it served me well as both a history and a biochemistry major. I wrote in-class essays regularly in English, history, philosophy and foreign language classes, as well as in biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry and physics classes. Quick and clear are obvious advantages, but in one case, creativity saved my skin as I somehow convinced a P-chem professor that I actually had something insightful to say about quantum mechanics. (I didn't, I still don't, and I don't have any idea what she thought I had said.)</p>
<p>Even if, when all is said and done, statistics show that the SAT essay is only a modest predictor of college success its ultimate aim is to sharpen students' mastery of a core skill necessary for college and the workplace. As Midmo points out, many college courses do require students to write in-class essays as well as polished take home assignments. It seems silly to have to say that college is not highschool but the demands and rigors of college course work are supposed to raise the bar. The ability to do college level work - and be successful - is predicated upon a basic expectation that students have a grasp of the fundamentals necessary to handle higher level work (for some students college does entail remedial work but for most the basic idea is to aim higher and better). The SAT essay is rather modest in its aims since student are not asked to produce a polished piece but just to demonstrate competency and the capacity to produce a written sample that features an introductory paragraph designed to communicate clearly to the reader both the main question a main point, or thesis. As in most college assignments, the main point of the essay should be a logical statement that answers the question - the SAT folks want this thesis statement to be formulated in terms of a clear yes or no position. Paragraph dvelopment may or may not follow the 5-paragraph formula but the test taker is expected to come up with evidence that shows a critical understanding of both the question and thier own argument. A certain degree of creativity can come into play at this point simply because accuracy of detail, or evidence, is thrown to the wind and a student can be off the cuff and totally inaccurate - all that is required is that the evidence displays a logical train of thought and relates back to the main idea broached in the introduction. A concluding paragraph - just a line or two - is the finishing touch needed to tie it all up with the main idea. Now, college professors know that writing is a skill and one that is a continual work in progress but, ultimately, the aim is for students to learn to express themselves with accuracy, clarity, and logic. The SAT essay, however imperfect, sends a clear message that these skills are valued and need to be assessed.</p>
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A certain degree of creativity can come into play at this point simply because accuracy of detail, or evidence, is thrown to the wind and a student can be off the cuff and totally inaccurate
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<p>I guess another of my problems with the SAT in general is that people can be coached to do well on it. I guess that's unavoidable, as people get professional help on their essays, etc., as well. But it does make it harder for smart kids who don't have the money to hire professional help to compete, especially if they go to a school that isn't very knowledgeable or helpful about the college application process.</p>
<p>I didn't go to SAT prep classes or get professional help (and unfortunately, I didn't discover CC until really late in my application process). It didn't really affect my college acceptances, as I'm a good test-taker and have good grades and extra-curriculars. My writing, while not spectacular, is at least clear and organized, and I don't completely lack creativity. But I'm sure I my SAT's could have been higher and my applications could have looked even better if I'd had professional help or taken classes. One small example is that I didn't know that the SAT graders did not grade on the accuracy of your evidence. With a 25-min. essay, every minute counts, and it takes time to think of accurate examples. While I'm not the most creative person, I can still easily come up with fake examples. I did this to some extent on my SAT essays, in terms of personal stories, but only because I knew they had know way of knowing if I really knew someone who ___. But if I could have made up other types of examples, it would have been much easier.</p>
<p>If getting SAT prep, etc. could have helped me, and I'm already a good test taker, I'm sure others would benefit even more. So while the SAT does measure some skills, it's not quite an accurate indicator.</p>
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I guess another of my problems with the SAT in general is that people can be coached to do well on it. I guess that's unavoidable, as people get professional help on their essays, etc., as well. But it does make it harder for smart kids who don't have the money to hire professional help to compete, especially if they go to a school that isn't very knowledgeable or helpful about the college application process.
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<p>Kids can be coached on anything, not just SAT. I am tutored by my dad to improve my AP Physics grade. Without that I will have no clue, I think, about what to do with the problems in the text. I can imagine many other kids not having parents who can coach or not being able to hire tutors. There is also unfairness in being stuck with one's school district. Kids in an elite private school may be trained to do much better in academics than kids in an average public school with lackluster teaching. But GPA and curriculum are factors in admissions. So even if SAT is unfair and eliminated, the playing field is still not evened out.
Bottom line is that the playing field is uneven whether the game involves Tests, schoolwork, sports or other ECs. The only way to deal with this is to provide opportunities (e.g., free SAT coaching to poor kids) to all. Kids have to be motivated, too.</p>