In this clip from THE TEST AND THE ART OF THINKING, high school senior Alexis describes the financial burden of test prep for her family. She says: “They're investing in your future, but I don't know if I'm that good of an investment.” What is at stake when access to the test and test prep tutoring is prohibitively expensive for students and their families? What does Alexis’ concern highlight about the nature of the test? About the nature of the college admissions process?
Use this clip to create a safe space for your students to share their own experiences and thoughts around these tests. Encourage open and honest dialogue to explore the impact the SAT and ACT can have on teens and their families - achievement pressure, financial burdens, low self-esteem. Conversely, have any students felt more confident from their test-taking experience? What can be gained by students from these tests?
About the Film: Students, parents, and educators all understand the financial, emotional and intellectual burden of the SAT/ACT—tests that are not only an integral part of the college admissions process, but also have become a rite of passage for teenagers in the United States. Even as adults, few of us forget our experience with these tests. THE TEST AND THE ART OF THINKING is an eye-opening examination of the SAT and ACT, and the contested and controversial issues they raise. This surprising film endeavors to support individuals—especially young people—by examining what the test measures and means, and asking a range of visionaries, admissions professionals, and interested parties to discuss the use and ramifications of the test. Trailer
