Originating in the United States during the 1800s, standardized tests have been used to test both young students and working adults on their knowledge regarding a certain topic. However, in the past decade many people have begun to question if these tests are necessary. A lot of evidence has been conducted that proves that exams are hurtful for students, as testing has not improved student performance, and many say that all testing proves is which students are good test takers, not which students are the most intelligent. Testing often makes students very anxious and can be a very major stressor in their lives. During the weeks before their exam, students spend most of their time studying to do their best on their exams. Fitting in studying with school, work, and personal relationships can be difficult for teenagers.
Additionally, some colleges believe that a student’s GPA is more important than their SAT or ACT scores. Over 1000 colleges, including Columbia University, do not require students to have a minimum SAT or ACT score to get into their curriculum. They decide to look at other factors in a student, such as their extracurriculars or overall grades in their classes. There are some things that tests fail to look at, such as creativity, artistic ability, critical thinking, and more. These types of skills are more important in life and are what decides someone’s success.
On the other hand, other researchers still believe that standardized tests are a good measure of a student’s level of knowledge. Experts spend countless hours making sure that each question is completely fair to the whole student body. These tests show what students do know and what they do not, allowing teachers to spend extra time on some subjects that students performed poorly on. Lastly, tests can provide a prediction for which students will do well in college and then later in life. While not every single great test taker guarantees that they will live a successful life, being a good test taker requires necessary problem-solving, work ethic, and general knowledge skills that are important to have when applying for a job.
While some colleges do not require it, others do require minimum SAT or ACT scores. Having a higher-than-average test score can make students stand out from the rest of the crowd, which improves their chances of being accepted. Doing well on tests is proof that a student can put in challenging work and time to achieve something great. Colleges are looking for applicants who persevere and come out on top, not lazy people who cannot put in enough effort for their education.
