Unless of course the merit badge covers a concrete skill: I learned a great deal by completing the Rifle Shooting, First Aid, and Wilderness Survival merit badg

Unless of course the merit badge covers a concrete skill: I learned a great deal by completing the Rifle Shooting, First Aid, and Wilderness Survival merit badges. I agree with your point, though: some are the equivalent of 'read the book, regurgitate the contents on a test'.