British Student Tackles American SAT Exams, And The Results Are Interesting

In an attempt to compare the U.S. university entrance exam to the U.K. A Levels, a bright young lady was taken aback by the results. We have all probably seen a TV show or movie in which a U.S. student discusses taking the SATs.

Characters frequently compare their scores with one another, study excessively, and fret about the outcome. Erin Meryl, a huge fan of the 2000s Netflix series Gilmore Girls, noticed that Rory Gilmore, a character renowned for being an exceptionally intelligent adolescent who aspires to attend Harvard University, often worries about exams. This inspired her to check if she could improve her score.

Erin, a Cambridge University economics student, posted her research results on her TikTok page. "Why do Americans get so worked up about the SAT? It's not that hard," said the avid reader and A* student, whose study advice has received over four million likes.

Erin added:

"You cannot watch an American television show without them going on and on about how hard the SAT is - it seems to be a significant part of the university entrance exam process. So, I thought, since I have nothing better to do this Friday morning, let me attempt an SAT practice test to see how hard it really is." According to Dr. Diane Ravitch, an education historian, "The pressure surrounding standardized tests like the SAT can lead to unnecessary stress among students, often overshadowing the joy of learning."

Here is the bright young lady with the username @erinmerylstudy

TikTok

The Princeton Review states that "the SAT is a critical component of the college admissions process," as it helps colleges assess student readiness. According to Dr. George Couros, an education expert, "standardized assessments can provide valuable data on student performance, but they should be considered alongside other factors to create a holistic view of a student's capabilities." After reviewing a practice test paper, Erin discovered that there are two reading modules and two math modules. She used a tablet to read the questions and kept a notebook to record her answers.

Educational psychologists often point out that the pressure surrounding exams like the SAT can lead to increased anxiety among students. Research from the American Psychological Association suggests that this anxiety can negatively impact performance, creating a cycle of stress and underachievement.

To combat this, experts recommend incorporating mindfulness techniques into study routines. Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs highlights the importance of teaching students to manage their emotional responses through practices like meditation and deep breathing exercises, which can enhance focus and reduce exam-related stress.

Many of the questions, according to Erin, are basic comprehension questions

Midway through the test, she said:

"So I am a couple of questions into the reading section, and it is literally like 'which word fills the gap to complete the sentence?'"

TikTok

When she discovered that the first math question asked students to calculate 10% of 470, she became perplexed. "It gets harder, but this first module is literally just GCSE-level maths," Erin insisted.

She also mentioned that using a calculator is permitted during the test. "You don't get the difficulty that you would encounter even in A Level maths," she added.

However, she did not respond to the questions within the allotted time, noting that this might make it more challenging in an actual exam situation.

"But they're not objectively hard questions," she added.

The New York Times

Understanding Standardized Testing

Dr. Pasi Sahlberg, a prominent education expert, emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural context behind standardized testing like the SAT. He notes that such exams often reflect societal values and expectations, which can vary significantly between countries. In the U.K., A Levels focus more on in-depth knowledge of specific subjects, while the SAT aims for a broader assessment of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

According to Dr. Sahlberg, this cultural discrepancy can lead to misunderstandings among students attempting to transition between these educational systems. He advocates for educational approaches that emphasize critical thinking over rote memorization, which can better prepare students for the diverse demands of global education systems.

Erin's results showed that she received 30 out of 33 in one English section and 31 out of 33 in the second.

She received a score of 26 out of 27 in the second portion of math and 25 out of 27 in the first. After practicing, her final SAT score was between 1470 and 1520.

Several Americans explained the meaning of the scores and which universities she could potentially get into. One person made the following comment:

"That score could get you into Harvard." Another added: "The scores you received placed you in the top 97%-99%."

A third person had this to say:

"I looked up if 1470 was a good score, and it said you scored higher than 97% of people, and it stated that 1520 was enough to safely get into Harvard or Yale."Getty Images/Vetta

An American man explained:

"The SAT isn’t meant to be difficult in terms of content; it’s designed to assess your problem-solving ability in a timed setting, not necessarily whether you know the content."

A Brit said, "The fact is that math is multiple-choice, but in the U.K., you can’t get full marks on a math question if you get the answer right, but the working out is wrong."

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Analysis & Alternative Approaches

The experience of Erin Meryl underscores a larger conversation around standardized testing and its implications for students from different educational backgrounds. As Dr. George Couros emphasizes, fostering a growth mindset is essential in navigating these challenges. By encouraging students to see exams as a reflection of their learning journey rather than a definitive measure of their abilities, we can help them approach tests with a healthier perspective.

Ultimately, educational systems need to adapt and provide resources that support diverse learning styles and reduce anxiety, paving the way for a more equitable assessment landscape.