McKinsey Cares About Your SAT Scores

[Tom Spencer]

 

A recent Business Insider article reports that firms like McKinsey and Bain are asking college graduates for their SAT scores in job applications. And, regardless of your age and experience level, you may need to be be prepared to share your SAT scores the next time you apply for a job. 

 

Why do employers care about a standardised test taken in high school?

 

Well, according to Jonathan Wai, researcher in Duke University's Talent Identification Program, SATs are a measure of general intelligence, and research has shown that general ability predicts success across a range of occupations. 

 

For more details, read the full article.

[Josie Senoga]

It's such a controversial test! I'm glad they are making changes.

 

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/09/magazine/the-story-behind-the-sat-overhaul.html?smid=fb-nytimes&WT.z_sma=MG_TSB_20140306&bicmp=AD&bicmlukp=WT.mc_id&bicmst=1388552400000&bicmet=1420088400000&_r=1

[Tone]

Having just applied for a number of consulting graduate jobs, some are asking for UAI/ATAR as well. I don't see the relevance personally. The Hsc is not a clear indication of intelligence and your ability to perform intellectually changes over time, which I can definitely say is true for me, the way I work and perform at uni is light years away to how I was at school. I think final year results this late after school are redundant

[Tom Spencer]

Tone, 

 

I agree with you.  

 

UAIs, ATARs, and SATs are measures of how well you performed on the test at that point in time. This doesn't take into account the fact that

(1) there are different types of intelligence, and

(2) standardised test scores taken during high school directly disadvantage people who (for whatever reason) developed more slowly or had other interests other than study at that point in their lives. 

 

I believe that this is another example of the educational industrial complex trying to treat people like widgets. Shame on you McKinsey and friends.