MetaFilter posts tagged with college and testing

How the Other Half Tests

eotvos — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:56:16 -0800

"Students are told, reassuringly, that there is no such thing as failing the Accuplacer or the COMPASS. But there is: students who score below a certain number, or “cut score,” flunk the test for credit-bearing work." The consequences can be dramatic.

Inside the multimillion-dollar essay-scoring business

reenum — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 08:56:45 -0800

With the institution of No Child Left Behind, educational testing in the US boomed. Now, some of the low paid temp workers hired to score these tests are speaking out about the behind the scenes manipulation that goes on to ensure test scores are in line with "customer expectations".

Going SAT Free

reenum — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:19:41 -0800

Some colleges have decided to take SAT scores out of the admissions decision making process. But, some are alleging that this is only a way to game the rankings by excluding the scores of admitted students who didn't do well.

"UC Berkeley offer to test DNA of incoming students sparks debate"

andoatnp — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 01:32:50 -0800

LA Times: "When UC Berkeley officials came up with the idea of asking all new students to volunteer a DNA swab as part of an unusual fall orientation program, they expected to stimulate discussion. They weren't quite prepared for how much."
Inside Higher Ed: "Unwinding Berkeley's DNA Test"

New SAT - Know the score

Coffeemate — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 13:56:36 -0800

This month the first batch of students will take the newly revised SAT. While the test has been modified before, an entirely new writing section will be added, and the top score will now be 2400. While parents panic, the $960 million test-prep industry is poised to teach the test that was once considered uncoachable. Not every school will be using the new writing section, but some big ones (pdf) were behind the push for its adoption. What’s a student to do?