The Perfect Score Project

One mom's quest to ace the SAT.

by Debbie Stier and Catherine Johnson

The SAT Is High Stakes, But What Exactly Are They Testing?

By Debbie Stier on October 7, 2011 in The Perfect Score Project

Love the way you write!

Submitted by Kristen on October 7, 2011 - 8:42pm.

Hi Deb, You are one of the most interesting, unique writers. You don't ramble on and on. You get to the point in an creative different way!!

And I like your calm, love the journey approach :)

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Thank you thank you!

Submitted by Debbie Stier on October 8, 2011 - 5:43am.

You made my day!

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PWN math

Submitted by Anonymous on October 15, 2011 - 5:17am.

This idea that the test is full of booby traps is ridiculous. You simply have to READ the question, figure out what they are asking, and then answer accordingly. You need to show that you understand the basic math concepts. The questions aren't tricks. I had read a version of that assessment over and over again, and then took the test again as an adult and easily scored 800. BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND MATH AND CAN READ.

That PWN page is ridiculous. For example, any educated person should know that if you take 30% off 100, you get 70. 20% of 70 is going to be smaller than 20% of 100, so the amount off is going to be less than 50%. Just learn your math. No one who understands percents thinks that is a trick question. Amount off = 1-1*.7*.8 = 1-.56=.44, which is 44%. VERY BASIC.

In falling for the 'tricks' theory, you are falling into the trap of the majority of American who have taken the test and been unhappy with the result. These people should stop complaining and learn how to read and learn some basic math.

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In response to "PWN math"

Submitted by Mike from PWN the SAT on October 23, 2011 - 8:23am.

I, too, took the SAT as an adult and scored an 800. On all three subjects. And if I wanted to oversimplify (or anonymously puff up like a peacock on the Internet) I could make the claim that the SAT is about nothing more than understanding math and knowing how to read.

One difference (of many, I'm sure) between you and me, though, is that I am a tutor. It's my job to help kids to whom the SAT math section does not come easy (for a multitude of reasons ranging from poor instruction earlier in life to test anxiety) learn the ropes. I don't know if you have kids, or have ever spoken with one, but it's a nonstarter to dismiss their difficulties as trivial. A large part of my job is aligning myself with them about the test before bringing them along and teaching them how to do better.

Perhaps you should start your own site about the SAT. It wouldn't take much work on your part. Just buy a domain (maybe TheSATisEasyAndYouAreStupid.com, or MisanthropyAsPedagogy.com -- just spitballing here), and post your concise and helpful advice. I'm sure it'll be a big hit. Email me in a few months and we'll compare and success rates.

Toodles,
Mike