What Are The Pros And Cons Of Being Standardized

Almost every student takes them, dreads them, and stresses over them. They measure the growth and knowledge of a student, determining their aptitude for college. But are they truly accurate? Standardized tests “are defined as any test that is administered, scored, and interpreted in a standard, predetermined way” (Mooney 10). Both the SAT and ACTS are controlled, unvariable systems that supposedly assess students in the most fair method. Primarily, “in the West standardized tests in schools appeared during the Industrial Revolution” (Mooney 11). Gradually growing and becoming more common, these tests became “standard” for their time. However, “in 1983 a report cited statistical evidence- 23 million American adults were functionally illiterate

Now, twenty-first century students are experiencing excessive testing with year-long preparation. Curriculum for classes is based around preparing students for the tests, encouraging memorization and not allowing students to fully learn certain topics. Certain aspects of standardized tests are pressed for debate; critics believe that ethnicity and personal backgrounds of certain students are put at a disadvantage as well as the preparation leading up to tests including the SAT and ACT being immoderate. The diverse student body every year, all around the world, is not capable of being accurately tested by taking standardized tests. The narrow curriculum coverage, discriminatory format against minorities and strenuous hours of cramming and memorization leading up to standardized tests prove the unreliable nature of the ACT and SAT as accurate measurements of a student’s aptitude for

Countless amounts of curriculum are excluded from any core matter that is actually tested on standardized tests especially the SATs and ACTs. Therefore, how can a student be accurately measured on what their strengths are, what they are most confident at and who they are as a person on just two simple tests. Many people believe that since these standardized tests are such an important factor of acceptance when college admissions are reviewing a person's application, colleges aren’t receiving a full idea of who the actual applicant is. Additionally, certain selective colleges won’t even continue to look at someone’s application if their standardized tests scores don’t reach a certain bar. How can this possibly be fair, especially if the tests themselves are unfair? Critics of these tests have proven discriminatory language used in certain questions on these tests that obviously put certain racial groups at a disadvantage. Continuing, teachers don’t get the opportunity to fully teach in their style since they have to ensure they are ‘teaching to the test.” Teachers say that “Even in classes less noticeably ravaged by the imperatives of test preparation, there are hidden costs—opportunities missed, intellectual roads