I have never been a fan of standardized testing especially to the extent that it was stressed during the 2nd half of my K-12 education. I still remember they days of choosing the analogies and writing picture prompts. Even though the SAT and to the lesser extent the GRE are the most important tests, in my experience, my 8th grade proficiency was stressed the most. My middle school certainly taught to the test while my high school was more lenient in that regard. I believe my high school education was better served because it lacked that singular focus. When I was in high school I took the SAT three times, once sophomore year and twice junior year (2006). The first two times the SAT was in its original 1600 point scale however the test was changed in late 2006 to reflect a 2400 scale with the addition of a writing portion. Back then there was hype about the new SAT and how everything had changed with new guides, new PSATs and new SAT classes. It was simply an educational circus. Outside of the writing section and removal of the analogies, the test was not that wildly differently.
Now the SAT is making the writing portion optional and reverting to its 1600 point scale. However test takers are no longer being penalized for missing answers which is a big change. I feel that these standardized tests are simply a billion dollar industry between the SAT, ACT, and similar examinations and the companies that own them. If not the tests and the millions taking them annually, than the courses, instructors, and the whole body of literature surrounding them. The SAT machine has evolved far belong its original goal into a behemoth which in my opinion stifling learning and academic curiosity. Regarding the new' new SAT, it is difficult to maintain a standard if you change it every few years. How can someone compare scores from 2004, 2009, and 2014 if they are based of 3 differently scaled tests? Every so often I look at the state of education in the United States and in this particular instance, I can only sigh.
Image courtesy of wikipedia
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