Standardized Tests DON’T Measure Your Worth

“… Intelligence tests are a good predictor of the verbal skills necessary for a culture associated with the formalized educational systems of modern industrial societies and increasingly adopted as a model throughout the world. HOWEVER, such tests may [I’d say “do”] NOT measure motivation, creativity, talent, or social skills, all of which are important factors in achievement.” 

(Emphasis added.)

Even if you don’t do as well as you wanted in one of those exams the first or second time around doesn’t mean you’re not capable of handling the demands that whatever organization/institution you’re applying to will place on you. In fact, a GRE prep book I read once simply stated something along the lines of, “Your performance in the GRE will only determine your success in the GRE” [i.e., NOT in grad school].

And that’s very easy to forget, yet very important to keep in mind. So I want you to not let anyone or anything (even a dumb test) tell you what you’re capable of because the truth of the matter is that you can do and be a LOT more. Simply focus on and highlight your achievements.

~ ~ ~

*This is the textbook I referred to earlier: Matsumoto, D., & Linda, J. (2013). Culture & psychology. (5th ed., p. 146). Belmont, California: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.