Standardized Tests Are Insufficient

Standardized Tests Are Insufficient

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"Anyone involved in education should be concerned about how overemphasis on the SAT is distorting educational priorities and practices, how the test is perceived by many as unfair, and how it can have a devastating impact on the self-esteem and aspirations of young students," said University of California President Richard C. Atkinson in a speech he gives to the American Council on Education in Washington, D.C.

I really didn't enjoy taking the SATs. SAT I cannot represent the individual knowledge of one particular test-taker, because the tests have been dissected in many prep-classes, designed to improve a student's score. However, these classes can be very expensive and give students who can afford the classes an unfair advantage. I scored well, but I hated all the drills to prepare; hated getting up early for it and hated being assigned to a testing site, which is far away from where I live. Inside the testing room, invigilators spend half an hour going through the forms and repeating basic test instructions and rules that we already know. One student raised his hand for a question, “sh … no questions allowed until the examiner comes around!” one invigilator answered without caring whether it was an emergency or not.

While you can take the test as many times as you want, to do so is costly, and often, I think scores no longer represent students' test-taking skills more than students' knowledge. Moreover, common standardized tests like the SAT I tests students in only two subject areas, math and verbal. Not enough! Students spend immeasurable amounts of money yearly taking preparatory classes for a test that does not really cover the content covered in schools, but does ...

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...stead of getting rid of the SAT entirely, the test itself should be reformed. Instead of trying to sweep the SAT under the table, the UC Regents should lead an effort to make the SAT better. Also, using other methods such as essays, or a face-to-face interview would help neutralize the side effect of standardized tests. If we feel the standard testing system is broken, and it is, they should make an effort to fix it, not forget it.

In general, there is a need for a national standardized test. The switch to this new standardized testing method would have to be coupled with patience from students and university administrators. For instance, should have a standardized test that provides them an opportunity to show their strengths. There are many other ways of giving a test, but what's important is what the score really reveals, one's test-skills or one's knowledge.