Nonlinear Psychometric Thresholds for Physics and Mathematics

sewhappy
Mon, 02 Jan 2012 09:12:20 +0000

It is true that science classes can be just as “squishy” as humanities. Son took pemed physics at our state U and he felt like a genius – 100s on every quiz and final. At his selective undergrad every premed class was a lesson in academic humility.

I think it’s interesting to look at my two kids in regards to the SAT math section. Older one took the SAT in 7th grade in one of those talent search things and scored an 800 in math. Daughter had to prep on the math – worked her way up from high 600s to low 700s with much effort. So the conclusion might be that my son is good in math and my daughter not so good. Well, in terms of coursework, math has always been her “easy” class - breezed through BC Calc and as a senior right now thinks her AP Physics is her fun class. Son had to really work hard in math classes, considers himself not very stellar at college level math, concluded freshman year of college that he was no “quant”.

So I think he has some weird math reasoning talent in him that shows up on the SAT and did so from an early age. My other kid really likes math, gets intrigued by what it can be used for. She will be the one, I think, who uses math extensively in her career.

I do think that a future math/physics should think carefully about that direction if they are scoring < 600 in math, though.