Think Computers Can Replace Humans as Test Graders? Think Again. TIME.com

If a robot was grading this article as if it were an essay on the SAT, the perfect opening line would go a little something like this: Computerized robotic technology has been shown to be a highly efficient device to grade standardized examinations, however, when put to the test the mechanized system is easy to thwart. That's according to The New York Times, who challenged recent findings that claimed there was little difference between human and robot graders. The Times had Les Perelman, a director of writing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and opponent of electronic grading, kick the tires on Education Testing Service's e-Rater, which the service says it uses in conjunction with human essay readers. Among other faults, Perelman found the e-Rater is not capable of telling truth from fiction, so there is little incentive for test takers to get their facts straight. He got the highest possible score.)