>Test scores don’t prove much except who had the resources, time, and motivation to study the most.
I was under the impression that SAT prep doesn't move the needle much. Am I mistaken?
I was under the impression that SAT prep doesn't move the needle much. Am I mistaken?
I have seen scores improve 100-200 points per skill on average for middle range scores, and 50-100 points per skill for higher range scores with quality preparation.
Reasons:
- familiarity with test format
- improved test taking strategies
- familiarity with test content
- developing the mental stamina to perform at a high level throughout the relatively long test
- lowered anxiety and (often) increased confidence
The college board says that an SAT is better predictor of success in college than GPA, which based on my experience of American high schools makes sense. I get that wealth probably has a positive correlation to both. But it seems that should matter a little.
Is this data or anecdata? You be the judge. He finds it easy to bank on professionally.
I encourage you to talk to someone who has worked at a high-end SAT training program (not Kaplan or that type). They can tell you the real deal, both successes and failures. Don’t rely on talking to the businesses themselves, because they will be selling their services rather than telling the complete truth (unless you know them personally).
Fwiw, failures are usually due to one of a few factors:
1. anxiety
2. learning blocks
3. physical issues (e.g., lack of sleep, sick, etc.).
But if you get put in the “honors” track of a lot of high schools where the name of the game is to teach material informed by the SAT, ACT, AP, and IB teats then you almost can’t help but do well since you’ve been cramming for 4 years.
That's not called cramming. It's called "learning". It means the test is working as intended.
You could say the same for pretty much every educated person who has done an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Seems like a lot of human progress has been made as the result of people that have been "cramming for 4 years"