118: Standardized Testing and the Changing Landscape of College Admissions with Shahar Link
What does an SAT score really tell us about intelligence?
Tune in for a fascinating discussion about the evolution of standardized testing, its role in modern education, and why MIT recently reversed course on test-optional admissions.
Our guest this week, Shahar Link, CEO and founder of Mindspire Tutoring and Test Prep, brings both personal experience and historical perspective to this timely conversation.
IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS:
- The evolution of standardized testing and its role in modern education
- Current trends in test-optional admissions and why some universities are returning to requiring tests
- How test scores relate to diversity and opportunity in higher education
- The real relationship between test scores, intelligence, and academic success
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Learn more about Mindspire or send them an email at info@mindspireprep.com
- Get your copy of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Impact and Imagination Meet
- Learn more about Rebel Educator, explore our professional development opportunities for educators and students, and check out our project library.
- Visit us at UP Academy to learn more about our personalized and inclusive learning environment.
- Connect with Tanya and UP Academy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram and learn more about her journey here.
GUEST BIO:
Shahar Link, the CEO and founder of Mindspire Tutoring and Test Prep, has been at the forefront of the test preparation and academic excellence arena for over a decade. With a career spanning 25 years, Shahar has honed his expertise in high school teaching and tutoring standardized tests, including the SAT and ACT. Holding a Master's degree in History from Stanford University, where he delved into the history of IQ testing, Shahar founded Mindspire driven by the deep reward in empowering students to exceed their own expectations and achieve remarkable success in even the most formidable academic and mental endeavors.
Shahar's exceptional contributions have not gone unnoticed. He has been featured as a quoted expert in the renowned US News & World Report and has been invited as a keynote speaker at numerous educational institutions, captivating audiences with his innovative approaches to learning. Through Mindspire Tutoring and Test Prep, Shahar has transformed the lives of countless students, providing them with invaluable strategies and guidance to conquer academic challenges and unleash their true potential.
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In each episode of the Rebel Educator podcast, I deconstruct world-class educators, students, and thought leaders in education to extract the tactics, tools, and routines that you can use as teachers and parents. Join me as we discuss how to shift the classroom, the learning environment, the mindset, and the pedagogy, to resist tradition, reignite wonder, and re-imagine the future of education.
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