More proof that the SAT does not measure anything

Test Preparation
1

<p>My SAT score from the January test to the March test jumped 110 points without me studying at all. My math score alone jumped up 90 points. Something this unreliable should not be used as a standardized test. It does not measure aptitude, or anything else, for that matter.</p>

2

<p>Perhaps you got lucky with there being questions you knew how to answer. Not all versions of the test will be of the same difficulty for you. That’s impossible to ensure. </p>

3

<p>If you were smart you would realize that college board gives a score range. This is the range of scores you could possibly get if you retook without studying. The score range is usually 30 or 40 +/- the score you got. So yaa, you got lucky and scored at the two of the score range on your second attempt. Statistically, this is very possible.</p>

4

<p>I have to wonder why you took it again so soon without studying at all. </p>

<p>Yes, the test scores are more variable than the college board would like people to think, which is why I think it’s wrong to superscore–that just encourages kids to do enough sittings to take advantage of this, but it means nothing.</p>

5

<p>I never studied for the SAT ever.</p>

<p>Sophomore 2012 PSAT: 162
October 2013 SAT: 1770
Junior 2013 PSAT: 201
January 2014 SAT: 1930</p>

<p>SAT = crap. </p>

6

<p>You probably got lucky with the type of questions, or simply performed better that day…I don’t think that score increase constitutes “proof.” However I do agree that the SAT is not a very good test.</p>

7

<p>Simply taking a few practice tests, or in your case, real tests, is going to help. And as satman1111 noted, the SD on the SAT is a lot higher than people might think. Which is why I think it’s wrong to superscore; that’s like handing another 120 or so points to anyone who takes the test a few times.</p>

8

<p>If you ever intend on going to graduate school, the GRE will most definitely screen you out if you don’t do well. It’s such a small factor but can turn into a big negative in an otherwise good application. May not measure much but you have to play their game. </p>

9

<p>@mathyone: I took it so soon because I was already signed up for it. I had previously registered for March before I got my scores because the deadline was that early. Also, I assumed I’d do well on the January one because my practice test scores were very high, and I would have used the March one to superscore (I like taking 120 free points!). </p>