Don't ask, don't tell
It happens, almost inevitably. Everytime a standardized test comes around, people ask you how you did. Someone gets their ACT results and the next day at school chats people up, finds out what others got.
It is a stupid comparison. It is just a way for some students to size up the competition, for some students to determine how they are doing on the road to college. They want to know if their 32 ACT score is good enough.
The PSAT, the ACT, the SAT, the SAT Subject Tests, the APs — all tests fall victim to score comparison.
Everybody knows that test scores don’t mean that much. Test scores don’t determine intelligence, they don’t guarantee spots at top schools, and they don’t necessarily reduce options. But, competitive Uni students just have to know what everyone else is getting.
Sometimes, perhaps when I am in a state of delirium, I think that Uni isn’t so bad in terms of competitive, pointless comparisons. We are more open to different strengths, and we respect the math genius, the athlete, and the amazing writer equally, and without feeling the need to be better than them. But then, someone asks me if I got a perfect score on my SAT Math section like they did and my reverie is disrupted.
However, it is worse than just score comparisons. Students also feel the need to comment.
“What did you get on the SAT?”
“Oh, a 2150, but that is really bad. I’m taking it again. I am aiming for a 2300.”
When you comment on your own scores like that, it can really hurt someone. What if the person who asked only got a 1950. You are essentially telling them that their score is bad. What are you saying when you imply anything below a 2300 is unacceptable in your mind? If your 2150 merits a retake, what does that say about their 1950?
Also, don’t compare amount of preparation. Don’t brag about the fact that you didn’t study. Don’t tell people they don’t need to prepare unless they are aiming for a 36.
There are people who may prep and still not get as good a score as you, and that is something you need to be aware of and sensitive to. Don’t demean the preparation process. If you are already comparing test scores, you do not need to add the insult of claiming you did better without ever taking a practice test.
People just need to open their eyes. They need to understand how comparison can hurt people, how their comments can make others feel stupid. People need to act like the have some semblance of social tact.
“What did you get on the ACT?
“33”
“Wow, good job!”
“Thanks.”
That is all that is required.
Or, ideally, the original question is never asked in the first place.
— Sarah Pfander