מבחן הפסיכומטרי מנקודת ראותם של סטודנטים ערביים: הטיה תרבותית או כשלי מערכת החינוך?

Abstract

This study examines the perceptions of Arab students of the psychometric test
and the factors of the relatively low scores among Arab examinees. The study
sample included 120 Arab Israeli students who study at higher education
institutions in Israel (colleges and universities). The design of this study is
qualitative and based on interviews with students analyzed by the content-analysis
method. The results of this study show that the Arab students perceive the
psychometric test as a classification tool that inhibits accessibility of the Arab
students to the higher education institutions in Israel. However, they think that the
exam is still considered as the preferred classification tool and the best predictor of
the candidates' ability to higher education. The findings indicate that students
attribute their failure on psychometric test for two main factors: (a) Adoption of the
Arab schools the traditional teaching method based on memorization. This teaching
method makes it difficult for the Arabic examinees to deal with the psychometric
test that requires deep and creative thought. (b) The test structure is not adapted
culturally for Arab student, in addition to difficulties in the English-language for
Arab examinees, which is considered a third language for them.