In line with a push to de-emphasize logical reasoning on the Scholastic Aptitude Test, a three-hour exam which has become a right of passage for many college hopefuls, the test may be altered to include a measure of creative ability.
The College Board, which sponsors the current SAT, along with Robert Sternberg, a professor of psychology at Yale University who heads a team at the Center for the Psychology of Abilities, Competencies, and Expertise, are currently researching the possibility of adding new components to the SAT that measure creativity and practical ways of thinking.
Sternberg has done extensive research on creativity, intelligence and resulting success in life. In his book, “Successful Intelligence: How Practical and Creative Intelligence Determine Success in Life,” Sternberg argues that the definitions of intelligence need to broaden and that new tools need to be created to measure intelligence.
Sternberg believes tests can be very limiting for many students and said the SAT tests analytic abilities almost exclusively.
“If you don’t do well on that kind of [test], everywhere you turn, the access routes to success in our society are blocked,” Sternberg said on the Public Broadcasting System’s “Frontline.”
Although it is not the intention of the College Board or Sternberg to eliminate the SAT completely, they are studying the use of a test that contains analytical, creative and practical sections using the “Rainbow Project.” This project consists of three phases of research that will work to make this test workable, and at end decide if this new form of testing has the ability to be commercialized.
One of the main benefits predicted with implementing this new form of college entrance testing is that it may help eliminate the common disparity between test-takers of different races.
“What we found is that on the analytical tests, the kids who did well were mostly white,” Sternberg said in response to a question concerning the group of students who score highest on current analytical tests. “They were mostly upper middle class. They mostly went to so-called good schools. They looked like a typical high-SAT group and they should, because they’re high analyticals.”
Sternberg found that by testing creativity, scores were much more diverse.
“It’s simply by expanding the range of skills you test, inevitably you find that some of the kids who didn’t look so talented before, now really look quite smart,” Sternberg said.
The findings of Sternberg’s research generally showed a broader and more diverse rate of success. The diversity was not simply racial, but also technically diverse. Sternberg argued the creative testing would benefit universities and students who don’t excel in topics covered by the SAT and American College Test. Instead, the test would showcase the abilities of those who excel in the arts. You would have also explored MCAT course recommendations which you could check out.
With a growing sense of competitiveness among high school students trying to get into the college they want to attend, this new test could help allow those that are best qualified to be accepted rather than limiting enrollment to those who have the money to pay for SAT preparation courses.
The College Board hopes to debut the revised test by the year 2005.