Pros And Cons Of Standardized Testing

A standardized test, is known as an exam to measure a student 's scholastic performance and while this definition holds merit in its general meaning, it does not take into account whether the exam is unbiased, fair, or accurate. With this being said, the issue of whether standardized testing is a fair assessment of one 's overall knowledge or achievement in one 's educational career has been a heated debate for quite some time now. When looking into this issue, one should ask themselves: is the use of standardized testing for the assessment of a future college student 's mental capabilities the ideal form of showing a student 's true potential in both academic and real life settings? One should also question whether standardized testing has

One of the facets of these skills include being exceedingly good at answering critical questions in a shortly timed manner, having the knowledge of properly narrowing down two very similar answers and choosing one of them, as well knowing the subject matter and or vocabulary which perhaps was never covered or addressed in the courses taken by the student. Rebecca Stahlman, a National Board certified teacher and instructor, supports this notion by expressing her frustration of administering a standardized test to her own elementary school students by saying, "I watched in horror as my precious students, who were gifted poets and writers, inquisitive scientists and mathematicians, lovers of books, remarkable artists, and caring learners, were forced to silently attempt to master a test that was designed to trip them up" (Stahlman 242). Consequently, this example shows not only how standardized testing is affecting academically gifted students in a negative manner, but also stretches how students are taught at an early stage of their life just how important these tests are which come later down the road and have the idea of constantly studying and preparing for standardized tests instilled into their