What really is the point of taking an SAT?

<p>I went into some deep thought on why to take the SAT. For all the kids that take a basic math, reading, writing courses have a un-fair advantage of taking them because many of the questions on the test are some higher level/ thinking questions that they can't answers so why pay money for a test that your going to fail in? It just doesn't make sense to me. This question is more for kids that are taking low level, basic classes and kids with an I.E.P. I had an I.E.P and I struggled many times, I had to work harder then everyone in my grade just to get a decent grade. But what about every other kid that has an I.E.P or taking basic classes that were struggling like me. It's not fair to have questions on the test that students that don't know and have them fail. I wish that I was in higher education classes so I know how to answer most of the questions on the test. If your going to put a child in a basic class or a special education class don't you think they should at least teach kids some of the questions on the SAT/ ACT? Don't you think we should do something about this?</p>

<p>Rvent: not to sound insensitive but the SAT measures test takers on a set of skills. People don’t fail it. Some people do well, some do OK, some score low. Even the test takers get feedback from the scores.</p>

<p>If my football team is having tryouts for wide receiver, should I omit ranking the candidates based on how fast they can run 40 yards? It’s a legitimate test of what they would be doing as a team member. Institutions see a test like the SAT or ACT or GMAT or GRE or MCAT or LSAT or GRE or GED as a measuring stick. </p>

<p>The physician you visited last took some exams – and had to meet some requirements.</p>

<p>You wrote: "Don’t you think we should do something about this? " </p>

<p>Some colleges are test optional (not that these are walk overs – they look for academic potential in other ways). Many community colleges and vocational schools have a mission to educate people regardless of scores.</p>

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<p>Of course it is. The point of the test is to differentiate between people with the same grades, maybe in different schools. A person taking basic classes probably isn’t going to be competitive at top schools anyway, unless the fact that they have a learning disability or other non-typical situation is considered as part of a holistic admissions process, in which case the low SAT score would be put into context as well.</p>

<p>There are many issues with standardized tests. One place to start reading about those issues is [The</a> National Center for Fair & Open Testing | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org%5DThe”>http://www.fairtest.org)</p>

<p>If you have an I.E.P. your teachers and counselors can help you get accommodations for testing conditions for the ACT and the SAT. You also can speak with them about good ways for you to start learning the kinds of things that are included in these tests. Anyone can take the tests. You can do that after you finish high school if you want to.</p>

<p>OP: CC is SAT centric so it’s likely that you won’t get much support. I wish there was something different, but there’s not so all you can do is to try and teach yourself. I’ve seen old SAT books in the used book store for just a couple of dollars. GL</p>

<p>The OP is already in college (not in line to take the SAT again) and is hoping to transfer to another college. OP had a poor showing on his SAT and also has performed unsatisfactorily in college too, unfortunately.</p>

<p>rvent: perhaps you should make an appt w/your advisers on what resources your school can offer. They are interested in helping you get more out of your current college experience. Good luck to you.</p>