Though I will be the first to eliminate standardized tests in education, things are never that simple. Research indicates that the combination of GPA and SAT scores ("Psychometric exam" and graduation scores) can predict the individual's performance at the university more than GPA alone or SAT alone. Personal interviews present a whole new set of problems for a part of the population (starting with biases and concluding with shy, inarticulate or repressed students), and other common methods are considered in the literature to be less reliable (the European "academic lottery", the failing "admit all" policy that was even tested in Israel and caused severe competition, or the American system where students register fictitiously to as many clubs as possible during high school, to present an impressive resume with their SAT scores - and I could go on and on here). Being fully aware of the problems posed by standardized tests is desired, but without an alternative, the discussion is futile. A real solution will have to surface from higher education institutions, and unfortunately I myself have no suggestions.

That's what I meant by "admit all policy". The method was tried in the Legal BA studies at Tel Aviv University - open admissions for the first year, and then admitting the best students to the second year according to available space. The study never culminated, since it caused the students to act in a dangerously competitive manner to one another. (I apologize for not having the suitable reference.)

Research indicates that the combination of GPA and SAT scores ("Psychometric exam" and graduation scores) can predict the individual's performance at the university more than GPA alone or SAT alone.

Beller Michal (1994), "Psychometric and Social Issues in Admissions to Israeli Universities", in EDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENT: ISSUES AND PRACTICE, 13, p. 12-20

Mr. Nir - you will find in the article the specific prediction numbers for SAT alone vs. SAT+GPA (0.54 vs. 0.62).
Mr. Rabinovich - Christopher Hurn in his famous book "The limits and possibilities of schooling" (1985), answers the question of the "good doctor", and concludes that college grades do not predict either occupational status or future earnings.
Let me stress the point again: I was playing devil's advocate, and personally I would run naked in the streets the day all standardized tests will be abolished.

Do not confuse standards with standardized tests ("Standartim" vs. "Bagruyot"). The former is a necessity; the latter is the focus of this discussion. I admit that the English terms may be a bit confusing. And of course, "standardized tests" do not include bar exams etc., but in this discussion relate only to the high school population.

Dear good people of Isreal. I am a Christian the loves the Jewish people and Isreal and very upset at my own government's attitude about stopping the targeted killings. That is so stupid that they are even saying this at all. My government never comes out publicy and gets mad at Arafat but does against Sharon. Us Americans know that we would wipe out any organization that dared try to attack our citizens. We have the luxury of going in and getting them out alive if possible. Your military does not have that luxury as they would have to go into the middle of Palestine land to get a few extremists that are playing to kill the Jews. That is like standing on top of a hornet's nest.
I wish Sharon would just kill Afarat as the body without a head is confused and disorganized and that would be the time for Isreal's military to go into Palestine areas and round up as many of the extremists. THe Bible predicted the day will come when all governments will turn against your country, including the U.S.A., but know this, that all Christians will be praying for your people and country and remember the most important part and that is God is with you and will always help you defeat your's and God's enemies. It may look like in the final war that Isreal is going to loose the war but that is when all the the Lord's glory will come down upon Jerusalem and take over forever and set up His Kingdom upon there and not the Arab kingdom. The Arab Temple will be wiped off the face off th earth as the devils temple. Bless your people and be of good and sound mind. Fear not as it is the eneimies of Isreal that have much to fear of a enternity in the lake of fire in hell for all enternety.
But, there are also many wonderful Christian people in these countries that weap for Isreal and pray for Isreal. They are killed and persecuted everyday. Please do all you can do to help them to escape the torture that your people have endure since mankind started. In WW2, many gentiles helped save and hide many Jewish people from Hitler's Nazi men. Please return these favor because you are a good and compassonite country and people.

Sincerely Yours,

Robert Barrett
602 West Oklahoma Ave.
Sulphur, OK 73086
1-580-622-6844

Praise the lord, Halleluiah Brother.