Re: Testing job applicants

["Robert Cicconetti" <zarquon@resnet.gatech.edu>]

<NOT cross-posted to alt.folklore.computers; school server refuses all posts
to alt.* groups>
> >My understanding, from my kids, is that US graduation is based on
> >SAT scores which measure only basic English and math ability, and
> >that a "perfect" 800? score does not mean much.
>
> SAT scores have historically been used only for college admission.  They
> have nothing to do with anything before that, unless something massive has
> changed and nobody told me.  Also, a perfect SAT score would be 1600, 800
> on each of two tests.

Correct. (High School) Graduation requirements are cascaded down from above
and vary from area (i.e.  There are some requirements from the federal
level, e.g. 180 days of school per year minimum, that must be fulfilled to
get federal money).  The SAT is the college entrance exam, generally only
taken by those who wish to attend a college or university, and it consists
of general vocabulary and reading comprehension section, and a general math
section (basic arithmetic to beginning geometry and algebra).

    Some universities require SAT II subject specific tests (IIRC, MIT and
CalTech jump to mind).  These are tests on subjects such as general english,
chemistry, etc., and are several hours long.

    There is another test, called the ACT, which is more common on the West
Coast of the US, which does contain more subject-specific material, and is
based on another scale, on the order of 40.

    Personally, I consider the SAT to be more a test of your test-taking
skills, and patience than on the knowledge required to attend a college or
university.  Most schools allow you to take the test as many times as you
wish, and a large percentage will not only chose the highest score, but take
them from different test sessions (i.e. Verbal score from the february test,
math from the June test).

    One thing is fact, however.  The SAT has been "recentered" at one point
to take into account the drifting exams rates (yes, downward).

Robert Cicconetti