Declining Scores: Standard Assesment Test scores are declinging yearly; a report on the possibilities

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:44:00 GMT

By Alyssa Indart

photo by Emily Torres

SAT exam takers are on the verge of learning their test scores. This is usually a terrifying time for the students. It is even more so nowadays, since scores have consistently declined over the past four years. Exam scores have decreased, in part, due to the increasing number of students taking the exam. “There has been a big increase in the number of students who take the SAT, from 1,465,744 in 2006 to 1,494,531 in 2007,” said Patrician Smith, Director of Guidance Services Hillsborough County Public Schools. When there are more students taking the SAT, there is a greater possibility that many students are not prepared. “With a wider range of students, the scores will change,” said Nancy McDuff, Associate VP for Admissions and Enrollment at University of Georgia. Contributing to the decline in scores is the fact thatthe test was redesigned four years ago. The redesign included the addition of a writing portion. “It had been discussed for many years, but the logistics of grading that many essays was not possible until recently,” said John Barnhill, SAT test committee member. The essays are graded on a 6-point grading scale developed by the SAT test development committee. Although there is a new addition to the SAT, the grading level is no more diffi cult than any other year. “A student that got 600 in the year 2000 should get the same score in 2007,” said Bernard Phelan, SAT committee member. Each section is worth 800 points and in total, the best score possible is a 2400. Nearly 1.5 million seniors took the SAT this year. Hispanic, African American, and Asian- American students account for 39% of the seniors who took the test. Being part of a minority taking the SAT, scholarships begin to become more available. The diverse ethnicity of the students gives more students the ability to be college bound. There are various ways to prepare for the SAT of this year. “The best preparation is to take a rigorous academic schedule of classes,” said John Barnhill, SAT committee member. “I feel that taking the PSAT, a short version of the SAT, is absolutely the best way to prepare for the SAT,” said Patrician Smith, Director of Guidance Services Hillsborough County Public Schools. Students that want to take the SAT also have the option to take prep courses or studying on their own. The resource that many prep course teachers use is The Offi cial SAT study guide produced by College Board. This book focuses on teaching kids how to improve their skills in reading, writing and mathematical areas. “Students should know why people use words and what the purpose of each discourse is,” said Bernard Phelan, SAT committee member. The SAT tests students’ invention and composition skills, while at the same time testing mathematical skills. Because every student takes the same test, the SAT provides a standardized means of comparing students everywhere in America. The redesign of the test is based on the needs of the colleges and when research is pointed in a different direction. “I think you should always be open to change and willing to implement new components if there are sound reasons to do so,” said John Barnhill, SAT test committee member. “The redesign more accurately refl ects what is currently being taught in our country’s high schools as well as what the universities and colleges are saying is important in order to be successful in their institutions,” said Patrician Smith, Director of Guidance Services Hillsborough County Public Schools.

The Harbinger

Declining Scores: Standard Assesment Test scores are declinging yearly; a report on the possibilities