Just Another Statistic

I want to start off with acknowledging the fact that I had no idea what to write about up until 2 seconds ago. I got off a 7 hour shift knowing 2 things: 

1. I have approximately 3 hours to create the best blog ever
2. This assignment on education can make or break my grade

So, after 5 seconds of brain storming I came up with the idea to write about standardized tests.  

Since the beginning of time you are taught to figure things out on your own, to do your homework to practice what you did that day in class and edge it into your brain even more. But in reality all you are taught is memorization. For example: 2*2 = 4

Why? Who knows. All we are taught is to be able to make the connection between the multiplication symbol and a couple numbers and are expected to put these answers down on paper.

In retrospect, I've taken a plethora of standardized tests, two of the most important ones through out my entire education being the ACT and SAT. These tests are supposed to determine how well prepared a student is for college. But how accurate are these exams every high school student is required to take?

According to another blogger, not very. He contrasts how he has gone from an average ACT score to a straight 'A' student in college in comparison to his acquaintance. Adding on, I could personally identify myself as another "average ACT score" and have no hesitation I will continue to perform highly in college.

MY EXAM STORY:

Like the good procrastinator that I was, I did not study at all until the week prior to the SAT. Now, these exams are typically on a Saturday morning; So, I decided to go to tutoring for about 1 hour each day (a total of 5 days) until I had to put my little knowledge to good use. 

For those who have taken the SAT know it's a test consisting of a writing, reading, and math portion all broken down into about a million sections. Despite the below zero conditions, and timer anxiety I faced, I had managed to pull through. 3 weeks later I found I had done okay-ish for my first attempt with a cumulative score of 1510 (which converted to a 21 in the ACT chart). Knowing my approximate score for the ACT made me believe I'd be fine and I completely blew off any studying for this different formatted test. The ACT consisted of only about 2 math, reading, and science portions. Again, I was placed in a classroom that felt like an igloo, and was overwhelmed timer anxiety. However, after another 3 weeks had gone by I was shocked to see a 24 instead of a 21 as calculated by the SAT. 

The stress and last-minute hours of studying had not done any good since I had scored much better on the ACT than on the SAT. 

After doing some research I found that the SAT predominates on the East and West Coasts, the ACT is more common in the Midwest, Southwest, and Deep South. Which led me to think, "Did I do better on the ACT because my geographic location falls within the Southwest region? Or was it mere coincidence?" 

Guess I'll have to keep researching.. Til next time!