Research Paper On Standardized Testing

ACT, a Standardized Test

As many of us know, the ACT is a standardized test we all must take before being accepted into most colleges. For some people this test is difficult, for some it a breeze. Some people study hard for this test, and some people do not. It just simply depends on who you are and the type of test taker you are. In this paper, I will be arguing that everyone taking the ACT should not be graded under the same standards. First, I will explain what a standardized test is and specifically, what the ACT is. Second, I will bring up an counter argument that the ACT, in some instances, is tested the best way the way it is now because it is sometimes the best way for some people to test and offer my objection to it. Third, I will

offer my own argument that the ACT should be changed so that it fits the needs of everyone taking it and gives everyone the same chance when doing so. Fourth, I will consider two objections to my argument and respond to each.
To begin, I will give some background information about standardized testing.

Standardized testing is any form of test that requires all test takers to answer the same questions during a certain day, this test may however change from week to week, but is scored in a consistent manner. This makes it possible to compare the relative performance of individual students or groups of students (Concepts, Liberty). This is how many of the tests in schools are given. It is the easiest way for teachers to give a test to a large group of people that will test the students over the same concepts. However, the ACT test is a little bit different. The ACT test, which stands for American College Testing, is given to an even larger group of people. These tests are mostly given to everyone in the Midwest to measure high school students' knowledge over their general education and their capability to complete college-level work in four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. Specifically, ACT states that its scores provide an indicator of "college

readiness".
Some people may argue that the ACT test is sometimes the best way to prove college readiness, but suppose, a monkey and a sloth are told to take a test. The test is to see who can climb a tree the fastest. Since it is the same test for both mammals, it may seem like a fair test because they are both meant for climbing; however, the monkey was obviously born with more capabilities of accomplishing this better than the sloth. We cannot say that the sloth is bad at climbing trees, he is just simply slower at doing so. Therefore, even though both the mammals have the same climbing abilities and are both successful at climbing a tree, the money is seen as more capable. But that does not mean that if the sloth worked hard enough and practiced that it would not beat the monkey. Moreover, I believe that the sloth is just as capable as the monkey, the test just was not fair to both of the mammal’s strength or how they were taught. The same applies to humans. We all have different strengths, or things we are more capable of doing. A lot of people can do the same things as other people can, but just not as fast. I do not think that this makes them any less smart, or capable of doing the activity. Some people may believe that if someone is a faster test taker then they are smarter, but that is not necessarily true either. Some people who are slower receive better test grades then the faster test takers do. Just like the old riddle about the turtle and the rabbit. The slower animal had a slower strategy but it helped him win the race in the end, therefore he was smarter. The ACT is a timed test which tests people how fast they can answer certain subjects. Many people know the material being tested but get a worse score then someone else just because they are slower test takers. All systems will be unfair to some degree, but we should try to make them as fair as we can. Therefore, I do not believe this is fair enough and it makes me believe that everyone should not be graded under the same standards.
I believe the ACT should be change so everyone is not graded under the same standards. I think schools should do this by a few ways: (1) randomly saving test times throughout high school so test instructors can tell what speed of a test taker you are, (2) test people for ADHD or other diagnoses that would affect someone’s score if they took a test for four hours straight, and (3) letting test takers choose where and when they want to take their test to reduce anxiety. These three changes would benefit many people while they are taking a test that will be such a huge determining factor of their future. Randomly saving your test times throughout high school so test instructors can tell what speed of a test taker you are would help determine the amount of time that should be set for your test. This also gives instructors the ability to not make it too easy for the fast test takers but not make it too hard for the slower test takers. This would help the students who are naturally slow test takers to at least finish the test. Another way to change the ACT test would be to test people for things that may affect the way they can focus on things for longer periods of time. Some people cannot focus for four hours at a time and they should not be forced to do so. This causes people to not test at their full potential. If one cannot focus on something at their full potential for a long period of time then they should take the test in increments. One other way we could alter the test would be to let the test takers choose when and where they want to take their test. For example, allowing someone pick a room in the school they feel most comfortable in, like their favorite teacher’s classroom. They could also allow them to take the test on a day and time that is less stressful for them. The ACT test is usually held at eight o’clock in the morning on a Saturday and that does not work the best for everyone. Sometimes familiar things can keep reduce someone’s stress. Some people have a lot of anxiety when it comes to tests in general and a test that can determine where you go to school may cause even more than a regular test might. Giving people this flexibly may help people relax more.
One objection to my argument is that standardized testing prepares the student for college.

When students prepare for and take the ACT, they learn test-taking skills that will help them in college (eCampus Tours). I do not believe this to be true. I am currently a college student and I do not think the ACT test has prepared me for college. Even though college tests are standardized, they are over a more condensed topic and you are given plenty of time to finish. I learned my test taking skills from high school. Moreover, high school and college test are very similar and the ACT test and college tests are not. Another objection to my argument is that the test is fair because everyone is given the same chances to improve their score. They argue that everyone has a chance to further their knowledge over the test subjects and improve their testing speed. I would disagree with this because in some schools “gifted” students can enroll in a special ACT prep classes, while students that are average or struggling do not get this opportunity. Furthermore, some school do not offer a program to help kids improve their ACT scores at all. This makes it unfair for the students that do not have access to this kind of help. Moreover, some kids can afford to pay for tutoring and practice test, but some cannot. This puts the students in poverty at an unfair disadvantage as well. The test also cost money to take so some people only have enough money to take it a few times, while other people

can take it as many times they want. This kind of pressure can cause a lot of stress and anxiety for students before they even begin to take the test.