Hi Craig, et al.,
This sort of test is entirely about whether someone has been associating with the right sort of people. It is designed to predict success in MBA programs, which are taught by professors who want to be able to assume that their students have mastered professional writing skills. The test makers and the test users work together to make sure that the test lines up with the skills they need in their programs. The test users are looking for people who have mastered the skills needed for success in their programs.
Apparently, the GMAT does a fairly good job of predicting success in core classes in the first year of MBA programs, but it is useless in predicting success in a business career.
I agree that if we think that developing knowledge about how language works and skill in making it work are important, then we (by which I mean "we on this list," among others), ought to figure out what skills and knowledge people need to maximize their chances of success, and we ought to figure out how to teach these skills and knowledge to everyone, and we ought to develop tests that accurately reflect mastery, none of which has been well done so far, or at least not disseminated to me in a way that I can use.
We ought not to expect that MBA program admissions staff and the developers of the testing instruments that they use will do this or should be at all concerned with how their prospective students did or did not develop the skills that are necessary for admission to or success in their programs. That is our job.
What kind of research and development programs are in process for figuring out what students should know (including how we know what they should know), how best to teach this knowledge to all students, which would likely require a variety of best methods, how we can best test what really matters for our students' development, and how we can best train teachers in this program?
Best regards,
Scott Woods
Does anyone other than me think this is a goofy test? We are talking about these choices in ways that are not routinely nurtured in anyone's education these days. If you expect someone to pick the right answer "intuitively," isn't that really a test of whether they have been associating with the right kind of people? I think it's unconscionable to test students on something they have never been taught when those tests are used as gates to opportunity.
I can understand testing reading comprehension on the basis of reading passages a student is likely to encounter. I can also understand the value of looking at a writing sample. If knowledge about how language works is important--I certainly think it is--then we should agree on what an educated person should know, teach it systematically, and test accordingly. Why are we so sure that a students' intuitions should match those of the test makers? Is the way we routinely talk the "right" way or "best" way or is it simply right or best because it feels right to us?
Good to see a robust discussion on the site. Great to hear from Martha!
From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Carol Johnson <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2018 9:49:27 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: GMAT Question
I would, too. It seems most idiomatic.
From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of MARTHA KOLLN
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2018 9:33 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: GMAT Question
Hi John,
I'd pick C.
Martha
P.S. Nice to hear from you!
On Mon, Feb 26, 2018 03:53 PM, Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
A former student of mine is studying for the GMAT and is struggling with the sentence structure section. She sent me a sample from the practice test. Not only did I miss it, but I disagree with the answer that was given. What is your take?
The World Wildlife Fund has declared that global warming,a phenomenon most scientists agree to be caused by human beings in burning fossil fuels,will create havoc among migratory birds by altering the environment in ways harmful to their habitats. A. a phenomenon most scientists agree to be caused by human beings in burning fossil fuels, B. a phenomenon most scientists agree that is caused by fossil fuels burned by human beings, C. a phenomenon that most scientists agree is caused by human beings' burning of fossil fuels, D. which most scientists agree on as a phenomenon caused by human beings who burn fossil fuels, E. which most scientists agree to be a phenomenon caused by fossil fuels burned by human beings,
To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at:http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list"
Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/
Martha Kolln
To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at:http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list"
Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure under applicable law. Any use, disclosure, distribution, or copying of this e-mail or the information contained herein by anyone other than the intended recipient is prohibited and may be a violation of state and/or Federal privacy laws. If you have received this e-mail in error, please delete any copies of it from your computer. To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at:http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list"
Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/
To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.htmland select "Join or leave the list"
Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/
To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at:
http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html
and select "Join or leave the list"
Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/