As the year comes to a close and with us finishing the SBAC test tomorrow, it is relevant to talk about the history of standardized test. Now that our junior year of high school is almost over, many of us have already taken the SAT or ACT, or both, maybe even a couple times. The SAT, or scholastic aptitude test started way back in 1926 by the college board. The original test only lasted ninety minutes and consisted of 315 problems on both math and vocabulary. The test then separated the sections and quickly grew in popularity until high school students pretty much had to take it to go to college by the end of world war two. The original test also included fill in the black analogies like:
blue:sky::____:grass
, and actually still had them until 2005 when the college board removed analogies and added a writing section. The ACT started in 1959 as a competitor to the SAT and focused more on scientific facts and principles.
http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1947019,00.html
blue:sky::____:grass
, and actually still had them until 2005 when the college board removed analogies and added a writing section. The ACT started in 1959 as a competitor to the SAT and focused more on scientific facts and principles.
http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1947019,00.html
I wonder what the motivation behind the removal of the analogies was? State testing in Maryland always had analogies like that, I believe it was to prepare for the SAT.
ReplyDeleteI was a little surprised at the attendance of Juniors who were supposed to be taking the SBAC test. As testing started each morning, after taking a look around, I noticed that about half of the seats were empty. I have also heard a lot of angry comments towards the new SBAC test. I'm honestly confused as to why so many people consider the SBAC test such a burden that they can't possibly take the time to participate for the sake of the school.
ReplyDeleteI think people generally don't like change. If we were taking a "new" test with weird scheduling that was exactly like the Star Test, I bet people would still be unhappy and bail.
DeleteI think people generally don't like change. If we were taking a "new" test with weird scheduling that was exactly like the Star Test, I bet people would still be unhappy and bail.
DeleteIt also seems a little unfair to the juniors, who have to wake up and take yet another test (on top of ACT/SAT, subject tests, AP tests, and finals all around the same time) while the rest of the students sleep in. The school gave an option to opt out, so I think a lot of people jumped at the opportunity.
DeleteThis is interesting to think about. I was just talking to my mom about what the SAT was like when she took it. She brought up an interesting point about the grades in general being lower because preparation was not as good at most high schools. So, in spite of the stress, there are definitely some advantages to being in such a competitive environment.
ReplyDeleteGreat Post!
ReplyDeleteWhy did the college board add a writing section? Was the purpose of the original SAT to test your critical thinking?
This is interesting to think about. I was just talking to my mom about what the SAT was like when she took it. She brought up an interesting point about the grades in general being lower because preparation was not as good at most high schools. So, in spite of the stress, there are definitely some advantages to being in such a competitive environment.
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting comparing the ACT to the SAT as a competitor. I always thought of it as just an alternate test. But by thinking of it in that fashion it makes for each of the tests to improve quality maybe even add to ease of taking so people will pay the fee to take that test rather than the other. If you make one easier will more people take it. College board and ACT are businesses after all.
ReplyDeleteI personally dislike the idea of standardized testing. Even though it does not 100% influence the future school that you attend after you graduate high school, it does have a big effect. I just feel like it is unfair for such a big part of ones future to be decided with a 4 hour test, rather than solely 4 years of high school.
ReplyDelete