A personal experience with standardized testing. (RANT ALERT)

[maddogesq]

I AM LIVING PROOF THAT STANDARDIZED TESTS ARE OVER-EMPHISIZED

A week ago yesterday, I took a series of paper and pencil tests as part of the pre-employment process for XXXX. I had applied online (which included a basic skills test) a month ago, and got a call within two weeks from the HR department to come in for more testing, because I was being considered for one of the positions I had applied for.

There were four tests: problem solving, verbal, math, and personality profile. I was in a large room at the facility in Southfield with approx. 50 other applicants. The first three tests were timed. We were told that we would receive the results in 7-10 days. I received a notice today saying I was ineligible for the next step in the process, and that I could retake the tests in six months.

Now, I am going to give you the results that I was given when I called the HR department in Southfield. However, I want you to keep in mind a few things: First, I took two practice take-home tests that were given to me a week prior to the actual testing date. I didn’t put any time restrictions, but I did complete each test (50 questions per test) in approximately half an hour’s time. I scored 100% on the verbal test, and 94% on the math test. Secondly, I recall that I scored higher on the verbal portion of the SAT (way back when) than I did the math portion.

Here are the results I was given by the HR department at XXXX:

Problem solving------passed
Verbal-----------------failed (I needed a score of 3 and I only scored a 1.)
Math-------------------passed (high score)
Personality------------passed (high score)

I must say that I was totally shocked. After leaving the testing site, I thought to myself that if I had failed anything, it was the personality profile. The above result does not make sense, but it just goes to show that people perform differently on different days.

I bring all this up because of all the emphasis put on standardized tests by the government, schools, employers, etc. I think the reliance on this stuff has gone beyond the pale—working as a sub, I talk to many teachers who feel the same way--and my case proves it. It is unlikely that I will go back in six months to retake these tests; hopefully by then, I won’t need to even consider it.

If you think what I am saying is valid, then please pass it on.

[Warpy]

1. Failing might not have been your problem

I was turned down for factory jobs in the mid 60s because I'd scored far too high on the aptitude tests to suit them. I was told that people who scored too high got bored and left, and why wasn't I going to higher education, anyway? Well I was in engineering school at the time and looking for a job that would pay the bills while I did it. The dimwit giving the test apparently didn't realize that when I graduated, he'd have an engineer to promote, and they were looking for those.

In any case, they'll weed out high scorers along with extremely low scorers for some jobs out there.

Work on those verbal skills, though, OK? <g>