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> Nothing about these high pressure situations really reflects anything important in the real world. Then why do the rest scores correlate better with college
by TulliusCicero 5y ago
> Nothing about these high pressure situations really reflects anything important in the real world.
Then why do the rest scores correlate better with college performance than other factors?
If SAT scores also correlate well with, say, income, would you then accept that they actually reflect something important in the real world?
- jordanpg 5y agoI'm not saying that these tests are not effective predictors of something. In fact, I'm sure they are. I'm saying that it's certain that they way they are administered leave a lot of people behind, and I don't think it has to be that way. There are many objections to these kinds of metrics, often involving disabilities or socioeconomic issues. I guess I'm just wondering out loud how much of that has to do with the physical way in which the tests are administered. As to reflecting the real world, all I can do is point to my own experiences: military, academic, legal, and corporate, and say being good at high stakes, infrequent, timed, standardized tests is not very important in those contexts. Here are 2 Malcolm Gladwell podcasts on the startling disconnect between the skills required to succeed on the LSAT and the skills required to succeed as a high-prestige lawyer: https://www.pushkin.fm/episode/puzzle-rush/ https://www.pushkin.fm/episode/puzzle-rush/ https://www.pushkin.fm/episode/the-tortoise-and-the-hare/ https://www.pushkin.fm/episode/the-tortoise-and-the-hare/ While the LSAT does predict success in those jobs, the skills needed to succeed on the LSAT have nothing to do with being a good Supreme Court clerk -- especially the going super fast part.