GRE Changes May Consider "Non-Cognitive Strengths" - Graduate School Discussion - Life After High School

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GRE Changes May Consider "Non-Cognitive Strengths"

Moderated by: CarolynLawrence

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CarolynLawrence
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Joined:	Sun Mar 5th, 2006
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Posted: Fri Jul 6th, 2007 05:50 pm

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ETS is considering some changes to the GRE that would allow grad schools to evaluate "non-cognitive strengths." If the GRE goes this route, I wouldn't be surprised if the SAT did as well. I know several colleges are considering or have added essay questions geared at this as well. Link:

New Standard for Getting In

Excerpt from the article:

With criticism growing that standardized tests and grades fail to convey the full picture of applicants, the Educational Testing Service is preparing a standardized way for graduate schools to consider students’ non-cognitive strengths and weaknesses.

Under the “Personal Potential Index,” which was developed at the request of the advisory board for the Graduate Record Exam, three or four professors or supervisors would answer a series of questions about candidates’ non-cognitive skills in various areas, as well as a more general set of questions. Applicants would be rated on a scale of 1-5 on questions about their abilities in these six areas: knowledge and creativity, communication skills, team work, resilience, planning and organization, and ethics and integrity. Those filling out the forms would also be able to provide narrative answers on each of those areas, and the applicants’ overall suitability for the programs to which they are applying.

mackinaw
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Posted: Fri Jul 6th, 2007 06:08 pm

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This seems to me to just be an effort to standardize what most grad schools already ask reference letter-writers to provide -- ratings on 6 to 10 dimensions (creativity, diligence, works well with others, initiative, etc.).

Ho hum.

In this world of Lake Wobegon (in which letter writers are highly selective -- for teachers who actually very much like a student, not the typical teacher in their school), the College Board will end up differentiating students who get 10 excellents from those who get 9 of them, turn this into a percentile score, and what will we have? Rapid inflation and even less meaningful letters of reference.

Crap.

Last edited on Fri Jul 6th, 2007 06:11 pm by mackinaw

DesperateDad
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Posted: Fri Jul 6th, 2007 06:49 pm

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Seems like another boom for test prep companies.

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