Why isn't the SAT computerized?

Applying to College
1

<p>In an age of computers seemingly everywhere why does ETS still resort to such as traditional form of testing?</p>

<p>Many advantages can be said for a computerized SAT:</p>

<li>Less chance of cheating</li>
<li>Less chance of inaccuracies (filling in the wrong bubbles)</li>
<li>On the spot scores (except for essay)</li>
<li>Cheaper distribution means cheaper tests</li>
<li>Environmentally friendly</li>
<li>etc…</li>
</ol>

<p>Heck, even the the ETS administered TOEFL is computer-based so why can’t the SAT?</p>

<p>I feel more comfortable taking the SAT at a computer than filling in a whole lot of bubbles.</p>

<p>/end rant</p>

2

<p>Honestly, I prefer the written form. Nothing wrong with computerized testing, but when the test is four hours long your eyes will literally fall out of your head. I've seen it happen.</p>

3

<p>OP, there are many advantages to a computerized test, however, i must agree w/ bigp9998. I can't stand to look at a computer screen for a long time, especially not for 4 hours. although, it would be nice to have immediate score reports.</p>

4

<p>That's why you should always bring a spare set of eyes along, just in case.</p>

5

<p>I think there should be an option to take it on the computer or written---like for the Johns Hopkins tests and stuff</p>

6

<p>I'm just advocating for an OPTION to take either a written or computerized test. I don't see why that's not feasible.</p>

<p>(BTW, I've stared at the computer screen for more than 24 hours before, heard of WOW?)</p>

7

<p>How many computers do you think they have?</p>

8

<p>ya, i don't like staring at comp for so long... kinda why i'm dreading the mcat</p>

9

<p>Then you got a bunch of problem with stuff like broken technology, HACKING especially, ppl crashing their comp because they think they're going to fail, and people throwing up from looking at a comp screen 4 too long...</p>

<p>Written > Online</p>

<p>Course I agree with you about the answer-sheet thing, thats what I hate most about all written tests - that I spend 10% of the time making sure I wrote my answer in correctly instead of doing the test</p>

10

<p>I tried taking practice tests online. its not the same at all. I like having something tangible to write on and cross out on , especially CR and math. It'll never happen. SAT IIs except math....possibly.</p>

11

<p>Someone could hack the computerized SAT and give 2400s to all the students. Which would be good for the students, but, you know, not so good for the colleges.</p>

12

<p>jenkster, ME TOO. that's my main concern for the MCAT.</p>

13

<p>^^lol Omg you guys are already stressing about a test that you take in college! <em>rolls eyes fondly</em> only CCers!</p>

14

<p>If you're an international student, and if you've taken TOEFL test, you will detest computerized test. you'll get an headache by reading passages through the moniter, and later you feel like you need a magnifying glasses to read all those letters.</p>

15

<p>A lot of testing locations (schools) won't have enough computers for the large groups of students who test on popular dates.</p>

16

<p>Duh, think about the implications.....each test administration has hundreds of kids descending on each HS on a Saturday morning....how many high schools do you know of that have computer facilities that could handle that sized group?</p>

17

<p>bingo bluebay</p>

18

<p>i cant stand the sat if it was on computer. mee poor eyes</p>

19

<p>Even the technological implications would be massive. Our school had never done an iBT testing prior to this year's AP Chinese/Japanese and our test literally lasted for almost five hours due to several computer malfunctions and unexplained crashing. Our technology coordinator had to repeatedly call AP Services about our problems.</p>

<p>Imagine those phone calls, now multiplied by the tens of thousands of high schools that administer the SAT.</p>

20

<p>Yeah, I really don't like filling in bubbles. I misbubbled the last 2 answers on my PSAT writing section (shifted them down 1 by accident). Lucky I still got a 223 though.</p>