What Good are Tests and Exams?

Research Paper and Method Supplement: 
Cognitive Skills, Student Achievement Tests, and Schools 
http://scottbarrykaufman.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Cog_Schools_in_press.pdf
http://scottbarrykaufman.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Cog_Schools_Supp_Matt_in_press.pdf

Article based on the Research Paper Above

Standardized Achievement Tests: What Are They Good For? Hint: Not Cognitive Ability. http://www.creativitypost.com/education/standardized_achievement_tests_what_are_they_good_for_hint_not_cogniti#sthash.s1ayKpMr.dpufhttp://www.creativitypost.com/education/standardized_achievement_tests_what_are_they_good_for_hint_not_cogniti

Excerpt from above:

There was a substantial correlation between standardized test scores and cognitive ability. In other words, good test takers already tend to have high levels of working memory, processing speed, and abstract reasoning skills.

Cognitive ability was associated with growth in achievement test scores from 4th to 8th grade. 

The school a student attended, and the quality of education they received, played little role in the growth of cognitive ability. This is consistent with prior research suggesting that cognitive ability predicts academic achievement, but academic achievement does not predict cognitive ability.

The school a student attended, and the quality of education they received, did play a role in the growth of standardized achievement test scores.

Students attending a charter school as a result of winning the admissions lottery had higher standardized test scores compared to students who lost the lottery.

There was no difference between the lottery groups, however, on measures of cognitive ability.

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