Education

New ‘Reality’: ‘Snooki’ Factor Is Now Part of SAT College Entrance Exams

High school students across the country woke up extra early last Saturday, sharpened their No. 2 pencils and prepared for hours of mental exercises that will help determine their chances at getting into the college of their dreams. With all the nervous build-up and last-minute academic cramming, imagine their surprise when they were asked to answer a test question on “reality television.”

“Reality television programs, which feature real people engaged in real activities rather than professional actors performing scripted scenes, are increasingly popular … How authentic can these shows be when producers design challenges for the participants and then editors alter filmed scenes?

New Reality: Snooki Factor Is Now Part of SAT College Entrance Exams

The cast of "Jersey Shore" (AP)

“Do we benefit from forms of entertainment that show so-called ‘reality,’ or are such shows harmful?”

One-third of all students taking the SAT last weekend fielded this essay question.

“Forget flashcards,” the LA Times exclaimed.  “Watch reality TV and get into college!”

As the New York Daily News points out, whoever wrote the question assumes that all kids have a television and that all kids are allowed (or care) to watch the genre of programming which made stars out of Kim Kardashian and “Snooki.”

“I thought the good students were the ones who did three or four hours of homework a night after participating in sports or other extracurricular activities instead of watching dumb shows like ”Celebrity Rehab“ or ”Jersey Shore,” the Daily News’ Joanna Molloy wrote.

“I guess the kids who watch crap TV did well,” said one honors student at LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. “I was completely baffled; I watched ‘American Idol’ four years ago.

“A lot of what we did in SAT prep classes was to use historical events or literature in our essays. It was so difficult to try to connect something you’ve learned in school with that topic. Some of my friends don’t watch TV at all. They are really, really scared.”

Networking sites like Collegeconfidential.com were abuzz with students posting comments like one from “Little Penguin”:

“This is one of those moments when I wish I actually watched TV. I kinda want to cry right now.”

The essay question of reality television’s merits counted toward one-third of the students’ overall SAT score.  This test score, along with the student’s grade point average (GPA) carries the most weight in most college admissions director’s decisions.  The SAT has tested students’ aptitude for over a century, but this is believed to be the first time pop culture television has made an appearance.

Comments (38)

  • texasfarmer
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 3:21pm

    They are all mental midgets, students and test writers

    Report Post » texasfarmer  
  • Don
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 3:00pm

    Reality – Show. There is a conflict there. Nothing is reality that is scripted and edited for television, or a movie. Real reality would be very boring consequently, a so called “reality show” is no more reality than any other “movie.” Even movies considered to be biographies are not reality or completely true because they are both scripted and edited. Therefore the statement “based on fact “ accompanies biographies. Anything scripted is not reality unless the reality is the scripting itself.

    This type of test, it seems, is to determine intelligence therefore, anything that requires actually watching the program would not meet that requirement. The test is organized to evaluate perception, so intelligence can be measured that is where the problem(s) start. The question is actually “is this (type of) programing beneficial or harmful? The answer being an example of a persons perception upon which an intelligence judgement can be made. Who makes it and what is the basic of the judgement is where the possible problem lies.

    Report Post » Arizona Don  
  • RRRoark
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 11:46am

    Come on, now. haven’t any of you familiarized yourselves wit the SAT? I took my first one in 1968, before the “renorming” or the addition of the essay section, but I taught the SAT Prep for my stepdaughters only 4 and years ago.

    The essay portion of this exam offers several questions to choose from. The student’s job is to pck one and write an essay expressing their opinion. They are graded on their skill at expressing that opinion in writing in a clear and cogent fashion, not o the position they espouse.

    Do you also attribute the arguments of a debate team to their beliefs or the side o the argument they drew by lot before the debate started? Again it’s about presentation, clear, defined, argumentation, not the authors’ beliefs or personal experience with the subject matter.

    Report Post » RRRoark  
  • TB1945
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 10:10am

    This is one of the reasons I have no hope for this country. When someone like “Snookie””( I watched one episode to see what all the fuss about Jerseyshore was about) and her kind are featured on television…there is no hope.
    In my generation we had June Cleaver, Harriet Nelson and we aspired to be like them
    What do these teens want to be like, drunken whores and their pimp boyfriends.
    How low have we come

    Report Post »  
  • psst
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 9:51am

    Well now, lets not jumpt to KonKlusions about this.
    College graduates who experts in the art of Kardashian & Snooki are in great demand in industries.
    These courses are where the future lies for the US.
    Sheet, who cares about scientists and engineers, those are soooo yesterday.
    That’s like taking college course on how to become a blacksmith.
    Now that we have the Chinese Communists taking over those jobs that no ameriKan wants to do, this leave US free to pursue more advanced degrees like how to build better Snookis and Kardashians.
    It takes very smart professional knowhow to accomplish the art of Big Arse Nothings.

    Report Post »  
  • The Gooch
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 9:50am

    There is nothing genuine with regard to reality TV. I thought philosophy was a dead end course of study? I scored a 31 on my ACT, but that was some 21 years ago… I don‘t think I’d do quite as well now.
    What does this say about the priorities we are presenting to our children? They didn’t make this garbage, they’re just lapping up what is provided by the “adults” in the entertainment industry. I’m all for freedom of choice, however. It looks like the college entrance exams are choosing to celebrate the banal. Hooray for American education. Is it just me or has the light at the end of the tunnel been snuffed out?
    Keep the people dumb and distracted….

    Report Post »  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 8:28am

    Next year the essay will be to describe the techniques used by the winner of the annual national farting contest. What kind of idiot put the reality TV question in the SAT tests? I ques this shows why our educational system is in such trouble. In reality if a student was overly familiar with Snookie then points should be taken off his or her score, not added.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • awizard
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 8:08am

    I disagree with some of you in here in that; In order to have a frame of reference to understand “reality show” you would have to have watched TV and at least SOME of them … Is “reality” day to day farming activities, production line, office culture, a “School day”, maintaining a household … how ’bout the cameras on the soldiers in Afghanistan?.. I personally have never seen any of these “reality shows” and would have no idea how to answer that question (I know snooki and kim from news clips, and consider both to be creatures I would avoid in “Reality” ['don't know where they've been 'might "catch" something], Too much makeup). From that point of reference (what I’ve seen) trying to answer that question would be a “Guess”, “Shot in the dark”, maybe a Zogby poll question … not a fair academic exercise (’remember “Fair” … who watches this stuff) … 1/3 of the test?..

    God, or “The uneducated adults” on this planet Help us all …

    Report Post » awizard  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 7:51am

    It is a shame that any of our kids know who Snooki even is. When children are raised on crap like Jersey Shore, is the video of those kids trashing a car at the St. Patty’s day event yesterday or the half dozen teen fight videos on here a week surprising? Not to me.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • sodun
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 7:17am

    I don’t see anything wrong with this question except that it is asked on the SAT.

    Report Post » sodun  
  • ExpertShot
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 5:19am

    I’ve said this for a while now, having a college degree really isn’t anything special anymore. I got an e-mail this morning about a summer internship program in Washington for college students (I’ve been out over 15 yrs myself) & the GPA requirement was like 2.75. Back when I was in school, the GPA requirements for this kind of program were over a 3.5 Just another example of how “dumb” today’s students are…thanks to the progressive agenda.

    Report Post » ExpertShot  
    • Living In NYC
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 7:21am

      Agreed…I have spent $150K in the past four years on college education for my daughter and about all she learned was that a vast major of the elitist educators are out of touch with the real world.

      I let her figure it out…as a freshmen she was liberalized and by graduation last spring, after searching, landing a job in her field of study (in this market), paying taxes then working with professionals in the private sector she was re-born as conservative!

      Report Post » Living In NYC  
  • semidisk
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 5:18am

    I’m not sure I get the hubbub here — the question can clearly be thought about abstractly without watching much reality television.

    Report Post »  
    • Red Bubba
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 7:38am

      Exactly. It’s a writing test. The children of pseudointellectuals who wrote about their favrotie characters will do poorly. The kids who responded to the questions – how real? – harmful/helpful? and included reasoning will do fine. No tv-watching required.

      My kid has never seen a reality tv show, was able to reason that (1) this test is written by people who would not score well on it, and (2) edited versions of what people do while being filmed is not “reality” and entertainment can be harmful, harmless, or just worthless.

      Report Post » Red Bubba  
  • leakimo
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 5:10am

    The “DUMBING” down of America in action again. It is sad enough that we have to lower scores for our Civil Service workers who want to be Police Officers, now we have to ask about ‘Reality Shows’ on college entrance exams. What is our world coming to?

    Report Post »  
  • Living In NYC
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 4:42am

    Typical elitist educators who want to form “their own world”…and don’t understand the “real world” (No pun intended).

    The are the same people who are quietly pushing a “NATIONAL READY FOR WORK TEST” AS A REQUIREMENT FOR GETTING A JOB…wonder what will be on that test!

    STOP ACT from making this “National Ready to Work Test” nationwide….unless you just want to be a cog and not a human!

    Report Post » Living In NYC  
  • BoilitDown
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 2:47am

    I would hope that students whose answers were “reality shows are a waste of valuable time” and “reality shows are harmful” will boost their SAT scores. The questions themselves were a waste of SAT time.

    Report Post »  
  • Showtime
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 2:47am

    Two questions:
    (1) How many hours do I have to watch TV to get college credit?
    (2) Does “Glenn Beck” count for credit?

    Report Post » Showtime  
  • arvadadan
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 2:26am

    “Do we benefit from forms of entertainment that show so-called ‘reality,’ or are such shows harmful?”
    That is the question!!!

    Report Post » arvadadan  
  • fuller9090
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 2:24am

    What the hell??? do they think everyone wants a degree in liberal arts?

    Report Post » fuller9090  
  • benuhgan
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 2:18am

    Oh dang it! I knew I should have watched an extra season of the Kardashians! Now I’m never going to get into Harvard!…….
    Gosh… What is this country coming to….

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 2:44am

      So I guess all those years of college under my belt are now worthless, all I should have been doing is watching stuff like ‘survivor’ and the other reality show garbage where everything is already set to the scripts and such…

      And progressives wonder why anyone with a bit of a working brain laughs at them and their set of smug superiority complexes…

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 2:56am

      I don’t know how anyone can watch Survivor of what was that show where they ate eyes and bugs?

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • Robert-CA
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 3:57am

      Reality stupid shows no writing & no skills , just few cams & people getting drunk & drugged & here’s a show for you !!!!!!

      Report Post » Robert-CA  
  • Apple Bite
    Posted on March 16, 2011 at 2:16am

    Exactly what happens when Liberals run things for too long…

    Report Post » Apple Bite  
    • Apple Bite
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 2:22am

      The other truth to this….

      This is further proof that education doesn’t need to be funded more. We need educators to do their job right.

      Report Post » Apple Bite  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 2:39am

      @Apple bite

      I agree with you on both counts; the liberals and progressives have been in control of education for far too long of time, and teachers need to teach what works, what is real, and what prepares for the future, not this reality show garbage.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 3:12am

      Hey APPLE – not everything in this world is the fault of liberals – I am sick of people like you making sweeping generalizations such as that. Not every liberal is alike – just as you are a unique individual – grow up!!! http://wp.me/pYLB7-KF

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • sissykatz
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 3:46am

      Well You may be right about painting with broad brushes, but you can bet everything you have that a liberal wrote this question for this test, A conservative cares more about our History and common sense than that.Also anything to do with Hollywood is liberal. This is absurd and I am sure will be really useful in future studies. But you know the ones that don’t study are going to know all about this, Kinda like the tests they were dumbing down so anyone that takes it can pass.

      Report Post »  
    • Psychosis
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 3:54am

      @ walkwithme no, your wrong every liberal is at fault for this, perpetuating the problem as they breed and making the problem worse

      its bad enough individuals think like you do and make decisions based on feelings, its even worse when they teach other peoples children the same crap that makes liberals the dredges of society

      dont like it, go to the huff in puff for whitewashed rantings in liberal idiocy where you FEEL like everyone else

      Report Post » Psychosis  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 4:54am

      First you make the idiots
      Then you make them useful idiots
      Deedeedee
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W62hoRnZFXY

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • avenger
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 6:24am

      those evil elite progressives have been working since 1912 to get to this point of stupidity ! yep gang,the dumbing down of the lemmings in our society.no wonder owe bama got elected in 2008…..

      Report Post »  
    • mikem1969
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 7:15am

      liberals and progressives run amuck along with idiot teachers that need to be fired. that has absolutely nothing to due with education.

      Report Post »  
    • PubliusPencilman
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 7:50am

      Two things:
      1) This knee-jerk attempt to blame everything on elitist progressives makes absolutely no sense. FIrst of all, the SATs are written an administered not by the government but by a NPO called “The College Board.” While the SATs have been criticized by the left often for being biased against people of color, as far as I know there has been no significant accusations anywhere from the right to suggest that this is in any way a liberal organization.

      2) The LA Times article and most of you as well ignore the fact that this question requires NO SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE of reality shows themselves in order to answer the question. Unless you have no idea what the concept of reality television is (and even this is briefly explained in the question) then you should be able to answer the question. In fact, the question itself is not confined to the subject of “Reality TV,“ and quite clearly offers the writer an option to focus on other genres that make the claim to ”reality” for the purposes of entertainment. One could conceivably write one’s answer about the phenomenon of the false autobiography in literature.

      Those complaining students are just making excuses for their inability to really comprehend the question. The whole purpose of such tests is to read carefully and demonstrate your ability to think on your feet–these kids didn’t seem up to the task.

      Report Post »  
    • PA PATRIOT
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 9:23am

      @ Walk with the hippies and Pencil pusher,

      THIS IS NOT YOUR FATHER’S DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
      The uber left, chaos seeking, non transparent segment of the political spectrum has infiltrated your political platform. Do as We The People have done. Declare your independence and most improtantly
      WAKE UP

      Report Post » PA PATRIOT  
    • PubliusPencilman
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 9:41am

      Yes PA Patriot. I should decare my independence by mindlessly echoing these pointless attacks on progressive boogey-men.

      Report Post »  
    • PA PATRIOT
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 10:38am

      @ Pencil,
      I did not say “mindlessly echoing these pointless attacks on progressive boogey-men.”

      I said for you to abandon the socially reckless uber left and surround yourself with others who share the same political beliefs as you. Black and white, no grey. There are many good democrats and dare I say progressives who want to see America succeed. It is the radical leftists that has infiltrated the Democratic Party and are comparable to termites. Termites feed on the very structure of the house they reside in until it is totally destroyed and worthless. The uber left have done the most irreparable damage to your party. Period.

      When you were a kid, you could do 100 things right and no one would say anything nice, nor did you receive praise. However, do one thing wrong, and all hell broke loose. This is the message that is being conveyed to We The People, however right or wrong, it limits our freedom. That is not acceptable.

      The left has taken over your political party. Do you feel comfortable being represented by democrats who have not a shred of political responsibility to YOU? There are so many splinter groups among the left that the radicals have now rose to the visible surface and have made a clear representation that they are now the norm for the Democratic Party. (especially unions) I am sorry that your efforts to be faithful to the Constitution are being railroaded by the visible assembly of members of the current Democratic Party

      More rambling,

      Report Post » PA PATRIOT  

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