It seems to me that criterion referenced tests and norm referenced tests are appropriate for different purposes and the usual use of the SAT is best served by a norm referenced approach. Criterion referenced tests are helpful in evaluating the educational institution or establishment under which the students are tested, as well as individually to determine if the test taker is capable of moving on (has mastered the material to some standard). On the other hand if the purpose of the test is to determine individual differences and the use of the test is to find the best students for admission then the norm referenced approach fits the bill. If there were no difference between admitting schools in their selectivity, then Atkinson & Geiser's suggestion would be worth thinking about.
________________________________ From: Mike Palij <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, May 8, 2015 11:47 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Cc: Michael Palij Subject: [tips] Rich Atkinson Lays The Smackdown On The SAT The NY Times has an Op-Ed piece by Richard Atkinson (YES! that RICHARD ATKINSON) and Saul Geiser (who?) on problems with the new SAT which appear to be many. Though they don't actually say this, I believe their argument is that the new SAT still lacks ecological validity (i.e., does not predict performance or "success" in everyday life). Make up your own mind; see: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/05/opinion/the-big-problem-with-the-new-sat.html?mabReward=CTM It could be just me but I don't think that the "criterion referenced" tests they argue for in the article is a solution nor is it obvious how it differs from the "norm referenced" tests (which are still "speed" tests which require performance in a limited amount of time versus "power" tests which remove the time restriction). I am open to correction. -Mike Palij New York University [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13058.902daf6855267276c83a639cbb25165c&n=T&l=tips&o=44611 (It may be necessary to cut and paste the above URL if the line is broken) or send a blank email to leave-44611-13058.902daf6855267276c83a639cbb251...@fsulist.frostburg.edu<mailto:leave-44611-13058.902daf6855267276c83a639cbb251...@fsulist.frostburg.edu> --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=44613 or send a blank email to leave-44613-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
