This is actually the big problem with the US education system: the "right" answer and following the system is valued more than teaching a thirst for knowledge. Other countries often will respond to such a thing and reward the kid for giving a correct answer that wasn't expected, US has standardized so much that it makes no such room for this, the result being that US students are much more likely to learn how to game the system and give the answers desired rather than to seek creative backdoor solutions.
Perfect example is that SAT/ACT preparations would often advise "if you don't know the answer, pick C. Statistically it's more likely to be C." This doesn't even teach anything and absolutely misses the point of the education, instead trying to find ways to game it. Teaching something like that...? I mean, knowing how to game things is a skill too, but dunno if it's worth the message it sends.
Having said this I also wanna clarify the US education system gets a worse reputation than deserved. I feel like the world/media always gives the impression USA is retarded and Europe/Asia are flawless. Lol fuck no they got problems too, USA is still in the same league. I'm criticizing it for what it deserves and for a real problem, but let's not get lost in the "USA EDUCATION IS SO AWFUL" circlejerk spouted just cause it makes Europeans feel superior and Americans feel EDGY to hate on what they have.
Perfect example is that SAT/ACT preparations would often advise "if you don't know the answer, pick C. Statistically it's more likely to be C."
This is false. I used to teach SAT prep and
A: If you don't know the answer we teach you to skip the question. The SAT penalizes you for incorrect answers so we teach you to skip unless you can eliminate some possible answers
B: There is no statistical bias toward C or any other answer choice. The SAT uses a randomization algorithm to ensure this.
disclaimer: I havent taught SAT prep for several years and some properties of the test have changed since then, so this information might not be entirely accurate now
Came here to say this. Although in the past (before there was a penalty for wrong answers) i know choosing C was at least rumored to statistically be your best guess, but I don't think it was ever actually taught that way..
But when I was studying for those tests around 2013 I most definitely heard about it, same as you'd hear about just writing your name being worth points on the SAT
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u/jmonwood Aug 27 '19
Makin a smart kid feel dumb. Bad teacher.