SAT - ReadWriteWeb http://www.readwriteweb.com/feeds/tag/SAT en Copyright 2012 Richard MacManus readwriteweb@gmail.com Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:00:00 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.35-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Wikipedia's Inkblots: Normality in Tech and Medicine wikipedia_inkblots_jul09a.jpgWikipedia is aflutter with angry psychologists demanding that the community take down reproductions of 10 original Rorschach inkblot plates and their statistically common responses. The Rorschach tests have been used since the 1920's to determine psychological disorders through the analysis of images. Twenty-five percent of all forensic cases utilize the Rorschach test in assessing defendant competency and criminal responsibility. According to the New York Times, Dr. James Heilman of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan originally uploaded the files and discussion has exploded ever since with doctors on both sides of the argument.

]]> Although Swiss psychologist Hermann Rorschach (the creator of the test died) in 1922, the inkblots are still widely used in personality and psychological assessment today. However, once an image's copyright owner passes away, that image is automatically released into the public domain 70 years after his/her death unless an extension is filed. While many argue that Wikipedia's release of the inkblots invalidates testing and causes potential harm to patients, others argue that the images are already widely accessible and too relevant to the article to omit.

For now, the Wikipedia discussion page states,"Prior discussion has determined that Rorschach inkblots images shall be displayed in this article, and removal of pictures without consensus at Talk:Rorschach test/images [the discussion page] will be reverted."
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Times reporter Noam Cohen writes about those against the posted images saying, "For them [the psychologists], the Wikipedia page is the equivalent of posting an answer sheet to next year's SAT."

The fact that both of these tests are based on normative results adds another dimension to the Wikipedia debate - whether or not the inkblot test is a valid metric in the first place. In the late nineties, based on reviewing the demographics of students with the lowest averages in the country, critics called the SAT racist, urban-centric and classist. With the test determining college placement, scholarship eligibility and in some cases, job placement, it remains an important one. For this reason, it was redrafted in 2005 to be more tolerant of diversity and more reflective of classroom curriculum.

With the Rorschach inkblots having been established since the 1920's, what are the chances that each of us aren't already showing signs of major psychosis? If there's a doctor in the house, by all means, let us know if and how the psychological indicators of the test have changed over time.

There's no doubt that a number of those awaiting SATs and psychometric testing might choose to game the system. While higher SAT scores improve college eligibility, average Rorschach inkblot results might alleviate the fear of being estranged from friends and family. Unless the person being psychologically profiled wants to shirk criminal responsibility or can see themselves as a danger to themselves or others, it makes sense to want to establish "normality".

But why is Wikipedia more responsible to protect Rorschach testing than scientific journals or medical websites? Admittedly, I am not an expert in medicine, psychology or the forensic sciences and I have no idea how these Wikipedia images will affect the patient community. However, as a tech blogger, I understand this issue to be Wikipedia's dedication to free and educational content - even when that education is widely debated. It will be interesting to see if those against the inkblot posting will be able to determine a consensus to have them removed.

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http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/wikipedias_inkblots_normality_in_tech_and_medicine.php http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/wikipedias_inkblots_normality_in_tech_and_medicine.php Crowdsourcing Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:56:37 -0800 Dana Oshiro
6 Great Tools for LSAT, SAT and GMAT Test Prep grockit_watermelonsexpress_jul09.jpgThousands of intelligent students seize up during standardized test season. They're the ones in the back of the gymnasium, frantically writing to the last minute and choking under the pressure of an egg timer. I am that student.

Perhaps test anxiety doesn't come from the actual questions sitting in front of us, but rather the fact that these standardized test scores can be life altering. These scores affect our admittance to the right schools, our ability to gain scholarships and our ability to qualify for certain types of aid. The weight of these tests had many of us prematurely self-destructing, and honestly, it doesn't get any easier as we get older.

Want to do an MBA or law degree? Your qualifying test scores could mean the difference between a great life transition and a mediocre one. Below is a list of test prep resources. If you're spending your summer prepping, these might just help you gain the confidence you need to come out on top.

]]> 1. Watermelon Express: NYC-based Watermelon Express is a learning company that claims to have helped 10,000 members with its mobile, desktop and web applications. The company provides students with detailed performance analysis, projected scores, online forums and customized review pages. Mobile applications are currently available on the iPhone, Blackberry and Android and separate study sets for the GRE, LSAT, SAT, GMAT, MCAT are priced reasonably at $20 each.

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2. Grockit: Grockit prepares students for the SAT, ACT, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT and GRE. This service emphasizes the group learning experience and students invite friends from Yahoo, Gmail and Plaxo to join in the site's games. This is particularly useful for the SATs when large groups of peers are likely to be studying together. The service offers a point system for tests and games, and displays student scoring in terms of community testing percentiles. Additional features include real time chat and the ability to find online tutors. Tutorial rates range from zero to $20 per hour. Grockit is free for the first 35 questions or $40 per year for unlimited access to questions, diagnostic tests and scheduled group games.

3. Brightstorm: Brightstorm focuses on preparing teens for the SAT, ACT and AP-level high school courses. This tool is particularly useful for visual learners because programs offer hours of video courses, strategies and practice exams. What's interesting about this preparation tool is that while it provides knowledge-based tests and quizzes, it also teaches students strategies to make educated guesses. For example, in one video the instructor says, "On the ACT English, the shortest answer is correct a third of the time." Brightstorm packages are priced at $99 per test and a 1-800 line is available for questions.

4. EPrep: EPrep also prepares students for the SAT, ACT, PSAT and high school subjects using video instructions. Students complete practice tests in a timed environment, receive grades and review test answers via video tutorials. EPrep offers a free 7 day trial period and packages generally range in price between $69-$249. This service takes a more conventional classroom-style approach to teaching so it's better for those that excel in this type of environment. For those that prefer a more interactive experience, Watermelon Express and Grockit might be a better fit.

5. Prep Me: Prep Me is a learning environment for students interested in taking the PSAT, ACT and SAT. This service offers an initial diagnostic test and then builds a personalized study schedule for students. Similar to other programs, students can chat with tutors, take practice quizzes and analyze their strengths and weaknesses. The service is currently expanding to offer GMAT, MCAT and LSAT testing and is priced between $300-$700. That being said, the company boasts an average 305 point increase on the SAT for grade 11 students. The company is currently offering premium services for free to students in the state of Maine.

6. Knewton: Knewton is another program that adapts a study plan for students. The company specializes in GMAT, GRE, SAT and LSAT testing and matches videos and lessons to a students "learning arc". Students can interact via a live on-demand video classroom and the company offers results or a money back guarantee. Courses are priced at $890 for 15 teaching sessions and more than 45 classroom hours. While this is a particularly high price tag for testing services, if a couple hundred dollars is the cost of qualifying for a scholarship, perhaps the service is worth it.

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http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/6_great_tools_for_lsat_sat_and_gmat_test_prep.php http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/6_great_tools_for_lsat_sat_and_gmat_test_prep.php Lists Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:30:31 -0800 Dana Oshiro