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Standardized tests: the dreaded necessities for being able to go to college, but how effective of a measuring tool of intelligence are they? In this editorial, Shani discusses the reasons why standardized tests should be kept optional on college applications permanently.
should standardized tests be removed?
should standardized tests be removed?
By Shani Grounds
By Shani Grounds
Imagine a world where standardized tests did not exist. Students would be given more time to enjoy the final years of their youth and have the fun they deserve. However, now that April is here, millions of students across the United States are cramming their studying for the Advanced Placement (AP) exams in May. Needless to say, students’ stress levels skyrocket during this time, due to the immense burden of studying a school year’s worth of content in a short timespan. The educational system should be reformed to remove these standardized tests or make them voluntary, as they only cause stress for students and teach them that test scores are more important for future success rather than learning.
what exactly are standardized tests?
what exactly are standardized tests?
A standardized test is any test that is given to each student in a consistent manner. This means that test takers are given the same questions, the same amount of time, and are scored in the same way as other test-takers. Some examples of standardized tests include the SATs, ACTs, and AP exams. The SATs and ACTs are aptitude tests, or college entrance exams that predict a student’s potential. AP exams are achievement tests, or tests that test a student’s knowledge in a certain subject. All of these tests may include multiple-choice, true-false, free response, short answer, and essay questions. However, multiple-choice and true-false questions are the most popular because they can be easily scored accurately and efficiently.
Due to COVID, many colleges have allowed standardized tests to be optional on college applications, whereas it was previously required before COVID. This has alleviated stress among many students because they no longer feel the pressure of an obligatory standardized test before going to college. Should this change be permanent?
what are the pros of standardized tests?
what are the pros of standardized tests?
Although the word “standardized” might strike fear into students’ hearts and cloud their minds with the image of filling in those pesky bubble tests, the few positives of standardized tests should be acknowledged:
Standardized tests make the decision process on applications easier. In 2021, the University of Oregon received approximately 33,000 applications, which makes a record number. Although standardized tests are now optional, it still remains an opportunity for students to stand out from other applicants.
Standardized tests provide information about students that may be used to improve communities. Because of standardized tests, there is significant data that proves that there is a difference in scores between white students and other students of color, for example. Tests provide evidence for advocate individuals or groups, such as Brightbeam, a nonprofit organization of activists for educational reform.
Standardized tests hold teachers and schools accountable. Standardized tests provide a "benchmark for assessing problems and measuring progress, highlighting areas for improvement." This means that teachers are expected to meet certain standards as instructed. As an example of this, Matt Kennedy teaches AP Psychology at Grants Pass High School. If a majority of his students were to fail a certain unit of the course on the AP exam, such as developmental psychology, then Mr. Kennedy would be expected to improve his methods for next year if his students performed comparably poor.
“We only know that there’s a difference between White students and Black students and other students of color because we have the data. We only know about that because we have assessments.” - Chris Stewart, CEO of brightbeam
What are the cons of standardized tests?
What are the cons of standardized tests?
Standardized tests and stress levels are positively correlated. In recent studies, students have demonstrated an alarming increase in cortisol levels during the weeks of standardized testing. Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the body to regulate stress levels. Researchers measured stress levels in students at New Orleans schools by the amount of cortisol in students' collected saliva. The researchers found a 15% cortisol increase (on average) before a standardized test than on days without any high-stakes test.
Standardized tests do not promote learning. Students have a nasty habit of cramming information into their minds the night before a test, vomiting that information during the test, and forgetting everything after the test (definitely not speaking from personal experience). How does this promote the joy of learning and the importance of long-term retention? In short, it does not.
Standardized tests may be racist, sexist, and classist. In other words, race, gender, and income may predict scores on standardized tests. According to The Economist, women perform worse on the SAT's math section by 18 points, out of 800 on average. Hispanic and African American students tend to perform worse than white students, and Asian students tend to outperform white students. Lastly, students with a family income of $20,000 score 137 points lower out of 800 on average. This makes sense because parents with high incomes can afford additional assistance for their children. High-income families also have an advantage in this regard because they can afford for their child to retake the SAT, which College Board recommends because most students see an improvement in scores after retaking the standardized test.
Lastly, test anxiety is a thing. Feeling nervous before an exam is common and completely normal. However, some students suffer from test anxiety, or extreme feelings of stress and nervousness, to the point where it hinders their performance on the test. At that point, the test is not an accurate representation of the student's ability or knowledge.
The cons of standardized testing overwhelm the pros. Therefore, standardized testing should be completely removed, reformed, or remain optional on college applications to reduce the stress and other negative consequences that comes with high-stakes tests. Such a system would allow students to focus on more important matters rather than waste all of their time stuffing worthless information inside their heads. Student mental health should come first.
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