Standardized Testing: Necessary Tool For Students

A standardized test is an examination that is scored in a prearranged manner; there are two main standard tests, aptitude and achievement tests (Ascd). Aptitude tests predict how well students are likely to perform in an educational setting, and achievement tests are what the school board looks at to base schools’ success (Ascd). As these tests become more difficult and the number of test continue to increase, so does test anxiety and it’s many factors (Gotter). Stressing and worrying over performance on a test, affects students from kindergarten all the way up to PhD students (Gotter). Several components occur when testing situations are at play, such as experiencing intense fear, nervousness, and sometimes even bordering terror (Zuriff p.198). Those who have this setback sometimes consider themselves as “bad test-takers.” There are three causes for them to panic when testing

First, Standardized tests help show teachers what they need to teach students. Throughout the years' standardized test that students take to follow the when they go to the next grade. By the test tracking students, it shows the teacher what they need the students to learn to get to the next level or get better. According to source B,"Standardized test also help show the students progress, growth, and what the students have learned. By showing the students progress and growth it helps determine if the student should go on to the next grade or stay behind. Theses things provide an accurate comparison between groups." This tells is that without these types of tests, it would be difficult to measure student achievement in different subjects.

Students can get so stressed out that they develop anxiety, cry, or even vomit because of these tests. According to ProCon.org, on Mar. 14, 2002, the Sacramento Bee reported that "test-related jitters, especially among young students, are so common that the Stanford-9 exam comes with instructions on what to do with a test booklet in case a student vomits on it" (Is the Use of Standardized Tests Improving Education in America?). This quote specifically shows that people are aware of how negatively these tests impact students’ lives. How could any student perform well on these tests that make them so anxious they vomit? Not only are students stressing over standardized tests, teachers also worry because sometimes their jobs are on the line. Depending on how well students perform on these tests, decides if teachers and schools get praised or punished. According to the Wall Street Journal, “Washington, D.C., Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee fired 241 teachers Friday under a new evaluation system that holds teachers accountable for student test scores. She also put an additional 17% on notice that if they don't improve next year, they could lose their job” (Banchero). This evidence further portrays the idea that students are not only taking the tests to score high to better themselves, but they need to score

Standardized test are more reliable than just taking you regular classroom test that is graded by the teacher, which can change the grade accordingly. Another thing that could be argued as to how they are good is that, “93% of studies on student testing, including the use of large-scale and high-stakes standardized tests, found a ‘positive effect’ on student achievement.” This was according to Richard P. Phelps, a testing scholar. Standardized testing is also easier to collect data instead of having to go through and hand grade each test that is turned in by a student. When the test is just multiple choice a machine goes through and grades it and automatically puts the percentage correct on the test. After that all of the data goes into a database so that it is easier for the administration to look at the

When I was younger I always saw my older siblings dread going into highschool and I never understood why. I mean, you get more freedom, you can drive, and you’re that much closer to graduating. What’s not to like? Well, let’s just say I was too young to understand everything that went along with high school. The loads of homework, being in sports, having a job, and trying to have a social life along with your busy schedules. On top of that, you can’t forget the horrid tests every high school student is forced to take. The SAT, ACT, ITBS, MAP, and COMPASS tests are just a few of the tests we have to take throughout our four years. Two of those tests are optional, but the rest are mandatory. You’re given a set amount of time

Standardized testing allows for something schools can compare students’ knowledge with. Although this may be true, testing is actually harmful. Standardized tests are an unfair way to be accessed because they do not accurately represent a student’s abilities. Many people don’t perform well on tests; they are smart, and understand the subject, but they don’t show it on the test. It is easy to forget something on a test, even if you studied for a while and normally understand the topic. Many students experience nerves or anxiety when taking a test. Feeling nervous has been proven to affect a student's performance for the worst. Students panic if they run into a question they aren’t sure of the answer to which decreases their score even more. 50% to 80% of test scores were fluctuated and had nothing to do with the actual growth in learning of a student. This shows that tests are an unfair analyzation because the scores are not accurate.

Many students have experienced the joy of test-taking. For some people, tests do not bother them. However, many experience test anxiety especially for these more high-stake tests. There are many different standardized tests such as: SOLs, SATs, ACTs, and college entrance exams. These standardized tests are not efficient tools for determining the knowledge of students. People respond differently on tests depending on the testing environment and how their day has been. However, others argue that standardized tests show grades each individual student has truly earned. Standardized tests are stressful, they do not represent a student’s understanding of material well, and they interfere with the way teachers want to teach.

Standardized testing help get students ready for college exams. In college you take a lot of stressful exams every day in all your classes. The exams in college are possibly harder than you expect. Even though many kids won’t even go to college there will still be many tricky things to get into without

First, standardized testing helps us to see growth of students. We can see growth as compared to other students and other countries. Students take the test more than once and it’s different every time. Growth can be seen from these tests throughout the year telling teachers what to teach.

In 2001, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was passed to improve the education system. Standardized testing is one of the results of President George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act. States are required by law to test students every year from 3rd grade to 8th grade and once from 10th grade to 12th grade in at least reading and math. Here in Georgia, the test is the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT). Standardized testing is both good and bad for a student, the school, and the teachers. With all of its’ pros and cons, standardized testing should remain an important aspect of our school system.

A question most students ask is why do we take standardized tests and is it needed in life, studies have shown that “93% of studies on student testing, including the use of large-scale and high-stakes standardized tests, found a "positive effect" on student achievement” according to a 100 year analysis of testing research by Richard P. Pelps. Another reason is most students get plenty of time to prepare for the test with test prep, also if you fail the first time you can pay to retake and with a little more studying can easily raise your test grade. Final reason most people believe it provides an accurate measurement of a student's performance and a teacher's effectiveness.

​I strongly believe that all teachers should be evaluated fairly. An evaluation is an important tool used both by administration and teachers to identify areas of strength and weakness and determine ways to increase effective instructional practice in the classroom. However, I do not believe that teachers’ pay and positions should be based on the performance of their students on standardized tests. Thinking back to the days when it came time for standardized testing, I knew that I would not do well. I never tested well no matter how hard I tried. I consistently received high scores on papers I wrote and did well on assignments, but my standardized test scores produced much different results. My sister, on the other hand was just the opposite. The teachers were not at fault because I did not test well and I do not blame them when I scored poorly.

Standardized testing also generates a massive amount of stress and pressure for students. During the time of the SAT and ACT, students have to study for AP tests and finals, maintain their grades, and balance their homework with studying for tests. Among the millions of teens stressed about the standardized exams, Ankur Singh felt immense pressure and anxiety when College Board asked his French class to participate in a pilot exam. Ankur wrote down all his thoughts and opinions about his “frustration with the way they have interfered with my education.” Students have been under constant pressure and anxiety maintaining their GPA, and standardized tests and its hours of studying only adds stress and can drive students to depression and even suicide. Ankur’s situation is only one of the millions of stories that demonstrate how frustrating these standardized tests can be. After Ankur’s French pilot exam, Ankur was called to the office. However, instead of getting in trouble, to his surprise, his French teacher seemed to be in agreement with Ankur. In fact, Ankur’s French teacher exclaimed that “...she’d rather have us watch French films or travel to a French bakery than to sit and do test prep.” So, not only are

To start with, standardized testing is an inefficient way of assessing what students know. For example, most tests are multiple choice, which is an inadequate assessment tool. Also, with multiple choice, students guess and still have a good chance of getting that question right. On multiple choice tests, the correct answer is guaranteed to be in the list of

Standardized testing puts a bucket load of stress on students. Over the years, the role played by the teacher has changed. Now the teacher puts more effort into helping the students prepare for tests rather than putting time into their regular teaching duties. Standardized tests also narrow out other curriculums such as art, foreign languages, etc. By narrowing down certain subjects in the classroom, one topic gets brought up more often than another. Standardized testing also affects the student post testing. The effects of standardized testing truly shape the student’s and teacher’s perception on learning at school.