What the SAT's Are Doing to Today's Children

The SAT has a new writing component so everyone is freaking out more than usual this time around. It is completely understandable, new elements, new preparations that need to be made. But how does one sit down and really get ready for the hugeness of this challenge? How does one obtain the skills necessary to face this challenge? Some people believe that these types of skills can be taught, while others say that some individuals are just naturals at these kinds of things. Are people just born with the ability to take standardized tests?

I recently read an article by a professor from North Central University who discussed how he wanted his students to approach the SAT like the game of football. His methods include being coached and making sure to practice what you have learned every day. Never, in my wildest of dreams would I have looked at the SAT like a team sport, but considering the beast that it is, why not? I'll give it a go.

This man may have said it exactly right, maybe in order to get a good score on a standardized test you have to be coached and practice. Obviously his students have done quite well with his method, attending top notch universities. But, are some kids more skilled at this fine art? Like those kids who always get to be first string, is there such a thing as an SAT all star? Can we, through preparation and practice, turn a bench warmer into a superstar, and is that really the job of a teacher?

I was on the Internet the other day, and saw another article talking about preparing children for "the real world". I thought it was quite interesting how we go from prepping kids for one thing to another. We go from "get ready for middle school" then "time for high school" "gotta take the AP's and SAT's" and "ready for the GRE's?" Is the SAT just a preparation for another stage in life? Do you take it for the joy of the test like one plays football for the "love of the game"? I really hope this is not the case. I do not see test taking as a glorious event where people watch you triumph and score. However, some people might see it just that way. It may be a game to be played, a puzzle to be pieced together. However, when one wins a football game, it is just that. There is no ultimate prize or final reward. When you ace the SAT you have many more wins, acceptances, honors, and scholarships ahead of you in your lifetime.

You are rewarded for your results and skill. The funny thing is, if you cannot play football no one cares. You sit on the bench, or you just do not try out for the team. But everyone has to take the SAT. So if you are bad at it you are penalized, and do not get as far as others. And if it is a skill, test taking, SAT acing, why are we measuring that skill instead of someone's actual intelligence and motivation to do well?

It is a matter of total commitment to your goal I suppose. Whether it be Harvard University, or half-back, you can't just step up to the game and expect to be "golden". You just have to practice and finesse your skill and hopefully you will get the result you want, or at least the one you deserve.