Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

MIT's SAT Math Error

Posted by Zonk on from the maybe-they-should-get-a-college-graduate-to-check-it dept.

theodp writes "The Wall Street Journal reports that for years now, MIT wasn't properly calculating the average freshmen SAT scores (reg.) used to determine U.S. News & World Report's influential annual rankings. In response to an inquiry made by The Tech regarding the school's recent drop in the rankings, MIT revealed that in past years it had excluded the test scores of foreign students as well as those who fared better on the ACT than the SAT, both violations of the U.S. News rules. MIT's reported first-quartile SAT verbal and math scores for the 2006 incoming class totaled 1380, a drop of 50 points from 2005."

13 of 280 comments (clear)

  1. Perhaps they should offer a Quality Assurance majr by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    and a minor in dupe detection ;-)

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  2. Re:If I could do it all over again... by renegadesx · · Score: 5, Funny

    I pitty the fool... stay in school

    --
    Make SELinux enforcing again!
  3. Re:1220 in 1989 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Back then, a 1400 really meant something, and a "perfect" score was a one or two person thing.

    What it really meant was they were sitting at the same table!

  4. Those whacky MIT Kids... by physicsphairy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yet another hilarious prank, no doubt. I wonder how many kids scored 1337?

    Just watch out when one of them attains the CEO position at your company.

    "Hey, you know what would be a really hilarious number for our stock prices to hit?"

    Uh oh.

    --
    When things get complex, multiply by the complex conjugate.
  5. Well there's your problem... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    MIT's reported first-quartile SAT verbal and math scores for the 2006 incoming class totaled 1380, a drop of 50 points from 2005.


    I don't normally put a lot of stock in standardized test scores, but with a total score of 1380 for an entire class, I can see how that might be a problem.

  6. Re:1220 in 1989 by glwtta · · Score: 4, Funny

    I played him chess and made him cry, but he sure as hell beat my 1170.

    Let me guess, the verbal section accounted for much of the discrepancy?

    --
    sic transit gloria mundi
  7. Re:is that a word? by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Funny

    What is quartile?

    Don't worry, you're not in it.

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  8. Re:Fast times at MIT.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    This *is* the Caltech prank!

  9. Re:1220 in 1989 by buswolley · · Score: 2, Funny
    While I love a good harangue with a few flourishing grandiloquences, I must protest your insult and speak forwardly with a plain tongue.

    I pity the fool.

    --

    A Good Troll is better than a Bad Human.

  10. Re:If I could do it all over again... by Lightlord · · Score: 3, Funny

    I pitty the fool... stay in school Dont be a fool......stay in school Fixed that for you!
  11. Re:not just a chuckle story by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Oh, I dunno. I used to go drinking with the MIT women's rugby team. They were fun to drink with, since we shared the same taste in women.

  12. Re:If I could do it all over again... by Eli+Gottlieb · · Score: 3, Funny

    Or just take a DeLorean back in time make sure that your father follows that truly wise advise:

    Don't be a fool. Wrap your tool.

  13. Re:If I could do it all over again... by Mister+Whirly · · Score: 5, Funny

    "what do you expect when you're 22?"

    A six figure income, no dress code, full benefits, three assistants, and a 32 hour work week??

    --
    "But this one goes to 11!"