Michael W. Kirst. 1997. "Exam Confusion: Admissions and placement tests lack standardization."
ABSTRACT
 In this article, the author argues that many secondary schools and students are caught in a no-win situation which is caused in part by the fact that prospective university students receive conflicting signals from universities about what knowledge is most worth possessing.

Using the PSAT, the SAT I and SAT II, the ACT, placement tests given by the University of California and by Cal State, the Golden State Exam, and the Advanced Placement (AP) exams as examples, he goes on explain how California students are confronted with different types of external admissions exams that do not have the same content approach, and suggests that current policies which hinder collaboration between higher education and high schools in devising courses that prepare students for university success should be changed.

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