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DEAR EDITOR:
ACT / SAT are not what they seem to be.
Many high school students are quite familiar with standardized testing. For the sake of argument, we will focus on college entrance exams, the ACT and the SAT.
These tests are supposed to give colleges an idea of how high school students will perform in an academic setting. This is measured by an overall score the student receives. However, this is not always the case.
These tests can show inaccurate information on college success. The following examples reveal why these tests are not true indicators of college performance.
Let us begin with their layout. The first part is the English section, which has students know and memorize big words, some being 8 to 10 letters or longer in length. Both tests give the idea that such words are used in a typical college setting. However, when one goes to college, they discover the opposite in which big, fancy words are barely, if at all, spoken. Their chance of finding such vocabulary is slim.
Next, the math section contains questions involving trigonometry and calculus. One problem is that a basic state college requires at least Algebra II.
So what is the point of including trigonometry and calculus? The test makers assume everyone going to college has to be above Algebra II. At least 50 percent of the college population does not need trigonometry and calculus; it all depends on students' majors and what they want to do in their lives. Does a history major need calculus to be historian?
Last is the Reading section. Test makers assume everyone in college is an avid reader. One will be amazed how often college students read. Many students don't read their textbooks.
Scoring is another issue. Just because one scores poorly, it doesn't mean they will do poorly in college. If someone scores 17 of 36 on the ACT, statistically, they will do badly in college; however, they can achieve an A / B status.
A perfect test score does not indicate success. This doesn't mean they know all the material.
Test makers should be asked, "Ever heard of lucky guesses?"
What would their answers be?
Colleges require you to take placement tests in the same subjects. If this is the case, the ACT and SAT are not needed.
In a nutshell, these tests take away from the reality of what college is really like.
DAVID RIHEL
Warren