Standarized Tests
I recently took my GMAT's. This is a standarized test one needs to take for business school. It is composed of a math section, a verbal section and two essays. It's done on a computer so one finds out their scores straightaway.
I didn't do well. But this score didn't come as a large surprise to me. I have never done well on standarized tests. To be quite honest, I hate standarized tests, to me, all they judge is your intelligence level, your I.Q. They don't really convey how well one will do in a program, your worth ethic.
Back in high school, according to my SAT results, I would have been a "C" student or worse in college. Instead I graduated Magna Cum Laude, third in the class. I know it's because I put in a lot of time and effort. I'm sure many of the ladies who ranked lower than me, had received much higher SAT scores.
Proponents of the SAT say that it gives schools an equally footing by which to judge candidates for admission. But is a standarized test really equal? If English is not your first language, right off the bat your at a disadvantage. How you were taught math at an early age will either hinder or help you. Is that equal than? To me grades, a GPA is a better judge of a student's character, showing a result over a course of time, instead of a one-time shot.
You can't "study" for standarized tests, you can learn the practices and techinques to try to master the test, but there is no set material to analyze - I firmly believe these tests are little more than I.Q. quizes and I guess that begs the question; do schools simply want people of a certain I.Q. over people who maybe work harder but are not as genetically smart? (we will see as I get my business school application results in the coming weeks. I'm not holding my breath btw).
posted by Virginia Gal @ 8:15 AM
11 Comments:
A school that doesn't accept you is not the school for you. They probably emphasize testing as a measure of performance if they base entrance solely on the GMATs. Wouldn't you prefer to go to a school that emphasizes accomplishment? Don't worry, your past performance will not go unnoticed.
Standardized tests do have valid uses, and, generally speaking, they are good predictors of success in the typical American educational setting. The admissions departments at most institutions should be pretty good at spotting folks (like you) who are exceptions to the rule.
Besides, your score might be better than you think. What seems like a low score (especially on advanced tests) can actually be quite acceptable.
Don't Worry Blog-Daughter, everything Merci said is true...
This will all work out just fine, stop sweating the details!
Did you send a good cover letter?
I remember seeing things on the SATs that I was NEVER taught in math class. When i got to college i remember taking basic math (twice) and there were theories that were never covered in my high school - a poor ass rural high school - which most of the other kids were familiar with. so, i share your concerns with that test.
I'm sorry you didn't like your score on the GMAT. i agree with Merci, too, though. if all they want is some kind of aggregate number, then that's all you'll be to them and you probably won't get an education out of them worth using in the real world.
aww don't fret.
at least your done with the SATS.I am totally dreading mine!!(and look at the footsteps i have to follow!)It'll all be okay!
Yup. I agree. You can't worry so much.
You're very smart and these tests can only tell you what they WANT to tell you. They are not gonna change your life or make you feel any different.
***BIG SUPPORTIVE HUGS***
Merci - you're right, I do want to go to a school that appreciates my achievments over my stupid standarized test score. I do wonder if I'd feel out of place going to a school where everyone had a higher I.Q. than me - maybe me not getting in will be God's way of keeping me from feeling even further inferior about myself.
Pax - thanks Godpapa - but don't you know I'm a natural worrywart, hee hee.
Joe - I think I sent a good personal essay and I even addressed how I don't do well on standarized tests but how this shouldn't indicate that I'm not a good student. We will have to wait and see what the admission's people think....
Molly - thanks for making me feel better, that I'm not totally stupid : ) . You're right, do I want to go to school where, based on my scores alone, reject me? Probably not (thus explains my deep seated hatred of Harvard which arbitrary dumps applicants because of SAT scores).
Naema - I'd kill to back at your age, so lucky you are! Don't fret you will do well I know it! Besides you're going to Mary Baldwin, you don't need a high score for there, hee hee.
Adorable Tony - thanks for the big hugs - you're right, I shouldn't let one test beat me down. I am smart dangnabbit and this test doesn't make me a lesser person! (standing up beating chest).
Standardized exams are so unfair but I don't believe it matters in the U.S. what your score is most of the time. They use affirmative action over grades and scores in most cases.
Virginia Gal-
I suspect that the best programs are those emphasizing accomplishment over classroom test-taking skills. There's nothing wrong with your IQ. Standardized tests have validity in certain situations, but they can't measure IQ as an inherent trait.
Your hard work, maturity, social skills, and life experience are far more important than genius level IQ scores. You don't just have words to offer about your abilities, you have solid evidence in your past performance (which is the best predictor of future accomplishment).
And for crying out loud, W went to Yale for his undergrad work, then got an MBA from Harvard!
Brenda - true some schools use affirmative action to an extent, I think places like Harvard still really use that score, overmuch - which just bugs the heck out of me. I just hope these schools look past my scores to who I am. Sigh.
Merci - hee hee, you're right, GW did go to Harvard for his MBA and well I'm not impressed, hee hee. Thanks for making me laugh and showing me that this standarized test doesn't really judge how intelligent overall, in the real world sense.
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