If the story (Oct. 26) headlined “Dumbing down” is printed correctly, then indeed we are in trouble. As printed, Question 4 of the MEA example clearly demonstrates this. The question proposes a hypothetical formula that (d) the distance times (t) the time yields the figure of 162. Using 350 feet as the distance, the correct answer for time is 162 divided by 350 or 0.45 seconds, not 5 seconds.

But, for free falling bodies under Earth’s gravitational pull, the real formula for distance is given by Newton’s equations as distance is the initial velocity times the time plus one half of the acceleration of gravity times the square of the time. Assuming the initial velocity to be zero produces a distance of acceleration times the square of the time. Putting in the approximate acceleration of gravity of 64 feet per second per second, and solving for time when d is 350 feet, one arrives at a solution for the time as being 3.3 seconds. Neither of these answers is offered by the multiple guess answers listed.

Although I agree with the SAT administrator’s statements, I fear that bad test questions show that MEA has already been dumbed down.

Testing has frequently been proven to be a poor means of determining real skill levels. This case appears to expose a part of the true problem with our system of education. Why are we paying for incompetence?

Elbert Derick, Wales