SAT Scores
SAT ( The Scholastic Assessment Test ) is a worldwide well known test used as entrance requirement for undergraduate studies at all USA Universities and not only . But what not many people know is that SAT is considered by many researchers in the field of educational psychology an IQ test ,SAT scores correlating quite highly with the IQ ( Intelligence Quotient ) tests scores more than the last ones correlate with each other .
General Intelligence is described as the ability to use language , understand concepts , to learn, to solve problems, to reason , to think abstractly and to adapt one’s behavior to challenging surroundings. This capacity is assessed by IQ tests which might include measuring tests of verbal, reasoning ,problem solving skills , spatial ,mathematical and memory abilities.
The initial SAT test was developed out of some IQ tests in 1926 by Carl Campbell Brigham (a Princeton University psychologist who participated in the development of the “Army-Alpha” intelligence tests ), particularly the verbal portion of the test , verbal intelligence being measured in IQ tests by the vocabulary accomplishment and fluency, also the analogies , reading comprehension , antonyms , synonyms.
In fact, some of the psychologists say that SAT scores measure general intelligence –factor “g” – in a more effective way than many of IQ tests and even have provided a formula to convert SAT scores into IQ scores.
As a result in the USA many of big companies have developed recruiting strategies based on identifying highly intelligent future employees by consulting their SAT scores .
But the application of the correlation between SAT scores and IQ scores does not end here , the researchers at Case Western Reserve University have shown the importance of this correaltion in measuring the declining of intelligence due to serious injuries at head or in patients with Alzheimer disease .Having the SAT scores of this patients they know the initial level of intelligence of them since many American people have taken SAT tests.
The College Board however did not want to recognize the relevance of this correlation , though could not deny that both IQ and SAT scores represent the value of the same aspect of general intelligence . To admit that SAT is a disguised IQ test is to open Pandora’s box for many speculations and interpretations , fueling material to those who would like to remove it as a tie breaker university entrance test .
Robert J. Sternberg, a psychology professor at University of Yale, who has been working with ETS on creating standardized creativity , ethics and practical tests ,thinks is not right for students not be informed about what they are getting when they are tested.
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