<p>So, so far, this is what I have gathered. SAT is a meaningless test, AP is really low quality, grades are random as the curriculum is not standardized across the nation. No wonder we have a failing education system. We need a rigorous, standardized curriculum. And no grade inflation.</p>
<p>Ap curriculum is a mile wide & inch deep.
A class which is the opposite is more satisfying in general.</p>
<p>Is there anything good about the standardized exams? Why are the Elite Us even considering this nonsense?</p>
<p>This is a stretch, but richer kids tend to have higher scores. Richer kids also tend to be better students, not smarter, but better students. There is a difference. Better students mean better grades. That also correlates to the fact that richer students tend to have educated parents too. Now, the higher performing students tend to be better performers overall. Richer means less financial aid from schools. See the correlation?</p>
<p>Well…those colleges that use the SAT/ACT tests help generate the market for those college test prep books 
Just trying to get back on the topic.</p>
<p>
They’ve got little else to judge 18 year-olds on.</p>
<p>Perhaps questions about the standardized tests are better directed to this forum [SAT</a> and ACT Tests & Test Preparation - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/]SAT”>Test Preparation - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>They should have an entrance exam written by the college professors, and at college level.</p>
<p>Because there is no way to equate grades in different school systems of different quality</p>
<p>
We also need a good 10-cent cigar, but we’re not getting that, either.</p>
<p>JYM, What topics are appropriate to post about on the Parents Forum? Is there a list you can provide? Thank you.</p>
<p>Aw shucks…I thought my response in post 105 was pretty good…but a bunch of you were posting at the same time and now it’s at the bottom of the previous page.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Then all we have is this board and each other?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I agree. That’s why we need a standardized curriculum so that a random teacher doesn’t go about teaching random stuff.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>This is what happens with my threads, Thumper. It attracts too many posts.</p>
<p>Well, maybe they should, but they don’t.</p>
<p>A friendly suggestion that topics about the standardized tests are commonly discussed there. No need for a flippant response.</p>
<p>Jokes aside, do you guys know how the SAT came into being? The book Color and Money has a great overview.</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Color and Money: How Rich White Kids Are Winning the War over College Affirmative Action (9781403976017): Peter G. Schmidt: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Color-Money-Winning-College-Affirmative/dp/1403976015/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312510903&sr=8-1]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Color-Money-Winning-College-Affirmative/dp/1403976015/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312510903&sr=8-1)</p>
<p>^You could also read [Amazon.com:</a> The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy (9780374299842): Nicholas Lemann: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Big-Test-History-American-Meritocracy/dp/0374299846]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Big-Test-History-American-Meritocracy/dp/0374299846)</p>
<p>While the standardized tests as they currently stand aren’t perfect, the elite schools are quite satisfied with the caliber of students that apply and that they choose, and they don’t particularly want or need a system based merely on ranking people according to standardized test performance and taking the top x to fill the class. I know this is anathema to those raised in many Asian cultures, but that is the system here.</p>