<p>Another post inspired me to post my first question. In my field of work, an achievement test is a measure of how much of a subject you have learned. Often it is used to evaluate the system that is educating you. It is not something that you prepare for, beyond applying yourself at school. Maybe you “practice”, if your school want’s to look good.In the context of college admissions, or elite college admission perhaps, what does it mean when you prepare for weeks or more to score near 800?</p>
<p>The college board tells you what topics are tested. You study said topics. You get an 800.</p>
<p>^ wow, could not have said it better myself</p>
<p>“In the context of college admissions, or elite college admission perhaps, what does it mean when you prepare for weeks or more to score near 800?”</p>
<p>-what are you talking about? you study what will be on the test and then take the test to prove that you know the material…</p>
<p>But isn’t the idea of the test to measure what you’ve learned in school? If you pretty much have to “self-study” for the SAT II’s, what is it really measuring? Your ability to self study? It’s not an ability, but rather an achievement test. It just seems like people can go crazy with them with the goal of boosting admission chances, but is that the reason they are required or is it supposed to reflect something about where you come from (your High School) or where you should go (placement)?</p>
<p>Meh. The idea is to sort the self-studiers that go the extra mile to prepare and learn difficult material from the lazy people. Oh, yeah, and you need reasoning ability/intelligence to do well on them so they’re a good supplement to the SAT I, since the material is much more involved than the simplistic stuff on SAT I.</p>
<p>Okay. I get it. I was not aware they measured intelligence and reasoning ability. I’m not sure I like the “lazy” part, but thanks.</p>
<p>just wondering…are you a high school student?</p>
<p>No, I’m a Child Psychiatrist (and parent).
My first attempt at this post.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=374234[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=374234</a></p>
<p>no wonder…if you were a high school student you would never have asked a question like that.</p>
<p>That’s probably true, but lurking here makes me wonder if It know High School students at all. What I DO know (or thought I did) is school systems, and I hold my kids school somewhat responsible for preparing her for subject tests. Maybe that’s not fair.</p>
<p>any tests high school students take require studying for to do well…</p>
<p>for example, my friend and I both were in the same AP Chemistry class and we both took the SAT II in June. I studied and got a 790, he didn’t and got a 650…</p>
<p>Well, there you go! But what does it mean? Does that mean you are better piped if the two of yo applied to the same school? Does that mean you wait need to take Chem in college the will, W that if you both do, you’ll do better? BTW, my DD’s school doesn’t offer AP’s; she took Honors Chem, didn’t study really, and got a 580 (she’s going to kill me!!!)</p>
<p>Well, any science/math test will measure reasoning ability. But the SAT subject tests also demand mastery of the subject. The SAT I reasoning is a “pure” reasoning exam because the actual knowledge required is minimal.</p>
<p>wow! Lot’s of typos in my post! I’m using a tablet. Post #12 should read " better prepared if the two of you applied" and “does that mean you wouldn’t need to take chemistry in college and he will, or if you both do, you’ll do better”. Sorry.</p>
<p>Actually, the SAT II Chemistry wouldn’t earn you placement credits at most colleges. The AP Chemistry exam earns you placement credit depending on the AP Credit policies at each school. </p>
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<p>I don’t agree with you there. What difference does it make applying yourself in a subject at school as opposed to applying yourself in a subject at home? What about homeschoolers? Often in the harder sciences such as chemistry, students may not fully digest the material in the short time allotted in a high school classroom setting and may need extra time to understand those concepts at home. What would be the point of homework then if students aren’t supposed to prepare outside of school? When I studied for my SAT IIs, I certainly wasn’t concerned with making my school look good. I was focused on doing the best I could and making sure my score honestly reflected my abilities. Sure, some schools may boast the credentials of their students, but that’s more like a by-product of a student’s own hardwork.</p>
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<p>The idea of the SAT II subject test is to measure your knowledge of a subject usually up to the introductory college level. Collegeboard isn’t so much concerned with how you’re learning the materials but more if you’re learning it or not. Again, what’s wrong with self-studying? In fact, sometimes you need to self-study because not all the materials tested on the SAT II tests are neccessarily covered in class. Some students are more independent and learn better teaching themselves the subject.</p>
<p>"In my field of work, an achievement test is a measure of how much of a subject you have learned. Often it is used to evaluate the system that is educating you. It is not something that you prepare for, beyond applying yourself at school. Maybe you “practice”, if your school want’s to look good.In the context of college admissions, or elite college admission perhaps, what does it mean when you prepare for weeks or more to score near 800? </p>
<p>I don’t agree with you there."</p>
<p>The whole thing, or something in particular? That achievemet tests in my field ( SAT’s or STAR testing in the California school system) is a measure of how much youv’e learned or to evaluate the educational system? That kids don’t study for the STAR test?</p>
<p>I’m not saying there is anything wrong with self-studying. No one needs to defend themselves and I am not criticising anyone. I’m just trying to make sure I understand what the SAT II’s are supposed to be measuring, and how to prioritze time spent improving your score vs. other things. I am trying to advice/support my daughter. I regularly hear you should take them shortly after you finish a couse so you don’t forget the info. It makes me feel like it’s a short term goal.</p>