The current SAT measures a few simple things: Can you understand a complex, layered argument? Do you know the meaning of common words, and some less common ones? Can you solve problems with math and figure out which math--Geometry or Algebra--is the right tool for the job? Are you familiar with the rules of formal grammar (as College Board understands them) and can you write a timed essay that uses examples and evidence to make a coherent argument?
None of these skills are necessarily the same as "intelligence" or "aptitude," and SAT scores--just like grades--are not great predictors of college success. But most metrics of "college success" define this success as "first-year grades"--itself a rather poor predictor of college success. The SAT can't tell us how smart someone is, but it can tell us whether they can understand what they read or know how to use the math they learned in high school. These skills are simply one piece that colleges use to understand the whole picture of a student--but it seems unhelpful to engineer a new test that gives colleges less information about these skills.
Perhaps College Board is simply giving the people what they want. But perhaps consumerism and education are at cross purposes--and sometimes big companies make big mistakes.
By the way, that was me in the audience asking questions at David Coleman's speech at the 2013 National Association of College Admissions Counselors meeting in Toronto last Fall. (see link below).
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/09/20/college-board-president-gives-some-hints-about-changes-sat
And I don't really drink much soda, so I don't have a strong "Coke" or "Pepsi" stance...
And I don't really drink much soda, so I don't have a strong "Coke" or "Pepsi" stance...
