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From: goldy@think.UUCP
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Subject: Re: SAT Practice Software Recommendations?
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Date: Sat, 21-Mar-87 20:10:47 EST
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Posted: Sat Mar 21 20:10:47 1987
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Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple,comp.sys.ibm.pc,comp.sys.att,misc.kids
Subject: Re: SAT Practice Software Recommendations?
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References: <865@mtunb.UUCP> <343@houxa.UUCP> <2189@calmasd.GE.COM>
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In article <2189@calmasd.GE.COM> jnp@calmasd.GE.COM (John Pantone) writes:
>In article <343@houxa.UUCP>, mel1@houxa.UUCP (M.HAAS) writes:
>
>> ..... 
>> ....... (she took the PSAT and didn't do too well considering her
>> grades)
>
>Maybe I full of beans - but how can you effectively study for an
>Aptitude test?  Oh sure, you could become more comfortable with the
>"style" and format of the test, but improving your aptitude ??
>
> .......
>
>The SAT attempts to measure the applicants ability to reason, and
         ~~~~~~~~
>utilize existing knowlege - I would be very skeptical of anything
>which claimed to be very effective in raising SAT scores - short of
>a good long school carreer!
>
Just because the SAT people tell us they are giving our kids an aptitude test
doesn't mean it *is* one. Everyone I know who studied for SAT type tests was
able to raise their scores significantly. For instance, I took one test (many
years ago) and scored in the 49th percentile. I went home, studied the study
book, retook the test and got in the 95th percentile. 

These tests (the SAT in particular) don't test aptitude, they measure your
ability to take SAT type tests. You *can* study for them.


- Steve Goldhaber; Thinking Machines Corporation, Cambridge, MA +1 617-876-1111
   goldy@think.com, seismo!think!goldy, ihnp4!think!goldy

"Life's a bitch, then you die."