pros and cons of standardized testing essay

20 Standardized Tests Pros And Cons

Standardized tests are tests that require each student to answer the same set of “standard” questions, and are graded in a uniform and consistent manner. Standard testing has been a topic of debate for many parents, students, and schools in the era of neoliberal education .

Concerns over standardized testing range from how reliable they are in reflecting students’ abilities, to how they could have potential negative impacts on students that may be knowledgeable but struggle with high-stakes test environments.

Still, there are advantages to standardized testing. Standardized tests can be immensely useful to gain a pulse on the quality of the curriculum, and whether it meets specified learning goals and objectives. Standardized tests also help point out areas for improvement in education, and emphasize aspects of students’ education that could be lacking.

There are many legitimate reasons to be in favor of standardized testing, as there are reasons to be against it. Let’s go over the top 20 pros and cons of standardized testing so you can decide for yourself whether you’re in favor or against standardized tests.

Summary: Are Standardized Tests Good or Bad?

Pros of standardized testing, 1. they help you track the progress of education.

Schools need metrics they can reliably use to evaluate students’ progress and see whether teachers are successfully implementing the curriculum. Standardized tests provide a way for school boards and regulatory bodies to determine whether stated educational objectives are being met according to the grade level.

Administering standardized tests on a yearly basis also helps to form a year-over-year analysis of progress made, and introduces benchmarks from which school boards can evaluate whether they have strayed or surpassed the existing average of education being taught. It’s important for schools to be able to compare their academic performance between years, and standardized testing is a reliable way to do so.

2. They help you Identify Areas for Improvement

Standardized testing brings light to areas of the curriculum that are lacking, and can be used to formulate education plans for improvement in those areas. For example, if standardized tests within a school showed that the average test results in math were below grade level, this is helpful for that school to know they need to improve their math curriculum and teaching.

Schools need to understand whether they are meeting their identified learning objectives , and standardized tests offer a way to determine whether they are fulfilling their identified learning goals or not.

3. They Keep Schools Accountable

The value of standardized tests goes beyond that of the individual school, especially when results are used to compare school performance on the national level. When data from standardized tests are generated on a national level, this allows for comparisons between regions and geographic locations, so it’s clear which areas lack in their education and require additional reinforcement.

Standardized testing is an instructive way for governments to gain a pulse on which regions are performing up to standard, above the standard and below the standard. In cases where the results are below average, this expresses that more support or resources are needed to address the educational gap; whereas, in areas where test scores were higher, we can look to such schools to understand what they are doing better and learn from them.

4. Standardized tests are consistent and uniform

Standardized tests provide a reliable and objective method to assess student achievement and learning. While removing all aspects of impartiality is difficult when it comes to scoring tests, since standardized tests require all test-takers to answer the same set of questions, it creates a greater degree of consistency and objectivity in the test results.

Standardized tests are graded by machines or blind reviewers. This is another measure that standardized tests take to achieve a higher degree of impartiality in assessing the test scores.

5. Standardized Tests are Efficient

Most standardized tests are evaluated by machines or AI, which makes assessing standardized tests efficient, less costly and time-consuming. Standardized tests are easy to process, generate significant amounts of education data and create a high-level picture of the state of education.

Essentially standardized tests offer government and regulatory bodies an efficient, low-cost method of extracting large amounts of education data without the burden of substantial associated costs and time investment.

6. They allow you to Compare Students

Parents, students, teachers, school boards and broader governments benefit from the data of standardized tests in seeing where any particular student falls according to the median grade average. The sum of test scores allows schools to make internal comparisons of their performance, comparisons between schools in the same area and schools in different areas.

7. They are clear and Unambiguous

Test scores are black and white and leave no room for interpretation. Student assessments can often be fraught with partiality and subjectivity on the part of the person marking the test.

With standardized tests, the results are unambiguous, clear and impartial.

8. They Can Motivate Students

Students that want to do well on standardized tests are more motivated to study and learn the course material to get a better grade. For some students, a standardized test is an effective motivator to get students to learn better and take school more seriously.

Students are well aware of the importance of high test scores, particularly with respect to the SATs. Lots of students take these tests seriously and spend significant time preparing so they can do well on them.

9. They Provide Consistency Across Education Programs

Education is not limited to the public school setting. Education is offered by various organizations, institutions and homes. Parents that decide to homeschool their kids benefit from the standardized tests because this shows whether their teaching met or exceeds public school standards .

Similarly, private schools and charter schools also benefit from standardized tests by being able to make these same comparisons between their education curriculum and that of traditional public schools.

10. They Instil Good Learning Habits

All tests require students to prepare to be able to take them and do well. Standardized tests are no different. They encourage students to study hard, to develop good study habits that stick and to learn the course material.

Ultimately, all learning is good learning, and while standardized testing has various issues (which we will discuss) the underlying aim to encourage learning and see what progress is made is a positive aspect of education which ought to be encouraged.

Cons Of Standardized Tests

1. they are not accurate reflections of student ability.

Lots of students struggle with test-taking and face anxiety when it comes to these types of assessments. Level of stress, mood and emotional state can all impact a person’s ability when it comes to completing these kinds of assessments. As a result, it makes it difficult to know whether these tests are truly reflective of students’ skills and competencies.

For students that face greater difficulty with test-taking, it is possible that standardized tests produce inaccurate results which could have other, negative impacts on the student’s well-being and potential future opportunities.

2. They Cause Stress

Standardized testing can be a major source of stress for students and teachers alike. It’s well-known that many students don’t perform well on tests, however, this doesn’t necessarily mean that these students are any less knowledgeable or educated than the students that do perform well.

Standardized tests create performance anxiety, and many students feel overwhelmingly bound by these test scores to get accepted into top schools. Teachers are also indirectly assessed by standardized tests because student performance is reflective of how well kids are being taught. Evidently, when students do not perform well because of stress-related factors, this does not reflect negatively on the teacher, though it may be interpreted that way.

3. Teachers ‘Teach to the Test’

When students need to prepare students for standardized tests, this can impact the way they teach the course material and it can result in teachers ‘teaching to the test,’ rather than the real goal of ensuring students truly understand the material.

Teaching to the test often involves rote learning (memorization of answers) rather than serious engagement with the process of learning. Education theorist Paolo Friere called this the ‘ banking model ‘, which discourages creative and process thinking, and instead encourages shallow memorization of information.

This could have the effect of a more surface-layer education, or the material only being understood by students at a shallow level since they are learning how to do well on the test rather than learning the contents of the subject in and of themselves.

4. They Negatively Impact Student Self-Esteem

When students score poorly on standardized tests, it’s easy for students to feel that these grades are indicators of their overall intelligence and their capacity to do well. Unfortunately, test scores can seriously impact a student’s own sense of their educational capabilities, and they can hinder their progress moving forward.

For example, if a student doesn’t test well, they might simply believe they are not good at school, or that they aren’t smart or cut out for it. Consequently, the student’s attitude towards education and learning is impacted, and they may be disengaged moving forward in their education.

5. They Pose Barriers to Future Opportunities

The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) is a standardized test that is used for admissions to colleges in the United States. The SAT has garnered significant criticism in recent years, with nearly 1600 schools in the US opting out of standardized tests as part of the “test-optional” movement .

Students that do not score well on the SATs have a much harder time getting admitted to top colleges and post-secondary institutions. The issue is that in cases where SAT scores are not reflective of the individual student’s abilities, then their test results impact their future opportunities based on this inaccurate assessment of their academic temperament and potential.

6. They Disproportionately Favor White Students

Studies repeatedly show that non-minority students and white students from more affluent communities score better on standardized tests than their non-white counterparts.

While the disparity in test results stresses the need to address educational gaps in underserved communities, the gap also raises questions about the fairness of the test questions themselves (or other factors that might cause the disparity.)

Whatever the reason for the gap in education across white students and non-white students, this gap in test scores creates further inequality and inequitable access to higher education.

7. Education is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ situation

Everyone is different—this means we all learn at a different pace, and have different academic aptitudes and preferences. Education should not be viewed through a cookie-cutter or ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach; that said, standardized testing looks to apply education and understand its outcomes in this way.

Standardized tests are not inclusive of differing learning styles and applies the same set of rules for each student completing the assessment. Treating each student the exact same fails to recognize important ways in which we learn and understand educational materials.

8. Standardized Tests are Not Comprehensive

When it comes to standardized tests, it’s important that schools do not see test scores as a comprehensive reflection of a student’s academic capabilities. Besides this, schools should not base their admissions decisions on the sole basis of test results, because this ignores other factors that are relevant to the student’s skills and competencies.

Exclusively relying on the results of standardized tests to form decisions on student admissions to schools would result in many students being denied admission unfairly. Just because a student may not have performed well on a single assessment, this shouldn’t be the sole determinant for whether they get into a good college or not. Other metrics for student assessment must be considered in these admissions processes.

9. Students Learn to the Test

Just like teachers can teach to the test, students can learn to score well on the test too. The problem is that learning to the ‘test’ underdetermines real learning of the subject material.

This encourages learning not for learning’s sake, but for the sake of scoring high on a test. Learning should be encouraged for its own purposes, and standardized testing places the focus on scores rather than learning in itself.

10. Exams Do Not Show College Readiness Soft Skills

Proponents of standardized testing argued that the tests would help highschool students prepare for college and make the transition smoother.

Despite their belief, the numbers tell a different story. High test scores on standardized tests have not correlated with greater student readiness to enter college. It is also not clear how it would result in students being more prepared for college in the first place.

Rather, the number of schools that are dropping the requirements for standardized testing is skyrocketing. These schools are making it optional for students to take standardized tests, and are part of the “test-optional” movement.

When it comes to standardized testing, the important thing is that the test scores are not seen as the total picture of a student’s abilities, but rather as part of a broader assessment or understanding. Testing data should be used to gain a general sense of how education is going, and whether learning objectives are being met or not. Standardized tests shouldn’t be seen as comprehensive, and schools should not base their admissions decisions solely on the scores of standardized tests.

Dalia Yashinsky (MA, Phil)

Dalia Yashinsky is a freelance academic writer. She graduated with her Bachelor's (with Honors) from Queen's University in Kingston Ontario in 2015. She then got her Master's Degree in philosophy, also from Queen's University, in 2017.

• Dalia Yashinsky (MA, Phil) #molongui-disabled-link Third Variable Problem: Definition & 10 Examples
• Dalia Yashinsky (MA, Phil) #molongui-disabled-link 15 Double Standards Examples
• Dalia Yashinsky (MA, Phil) #molongui-disabled-link 15 Examples of Inclusive Language
• Dalia Yashinsky (MA, Phil) #molongui-disabled-link 15 Denying the Antecedent Examples (Logical Fallacy)

Chris Drew (PhD)

This article was peer-reviewed and edited by Chris Drew (PhD). The review process on Helpful Professor involves having a PhD level expert fact check, edit, and contribute to articles. Reviewers ensure all content reflects expert academic consensus and is backed up with reference to academic studies. Dr. Drew has published over 20 academic articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education and holds a PhD in Education from ACU.

• Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link 25 Positive Punishment Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link 25 Dissociation Examples (Psychology)
• Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link 15 Zone of Proximal Development Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) #molongui-disabled-link Perception Checking: 15 Examples and Definition

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Examining the Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing

• An Introduction to Teaching
• Tips & Strategies
• Policies & Discipline
• Community Involvement
• School Administration
• Technology in the Classroom
• Teaching Adult Learners
• Issues In Education
• Teaching Resources
• Becoming A Teacher
• Assessments & Tests
• Elementary Education
• Secondary Education
• Special Education
• Homeschooling
• M.Ed., Educational Administration, Northeastern State University
• B.Ed., Elementary Education, Oklahoma State University

Like many issues in public education , standardized testing can be a controversial topic among parents, teachers, and voters. Many people say standardized testing provides an accurate measurement of student performance and teacher effectiveness. Others say such a one-size-fits-all approach to assessing academic achievement can be inflexible or even biased. Regardless of the diversity of opinion, there are some common arguments for and against standardized testing in the classroom .

Standardized Testing Pros

Proponents of standardized testing say that it is the best means of comparing data from a diverse population, allowing educators to digest large amounts of information quickly. They argue that:

It's accountable.  Probably the greatest benefit of standardized testing is that educators and schools are responsible for teaching students what they are required to know for these standardized tests. This is mostly because these scores become public record, and teachers and schools that don’t perform up to par can come under intense examination. This scrutiny can lead to the loss of jobs. In some cases, a school can be closed or taken over by the state.

It's analytical.  Without standardized testing, this comparison would not be possible. Public school students in Texas , for example, are required to take standardized tests, allowing test data from Amarillo to be compared to scores in Dallas. Being able to accurately analyze data is a primary reason that many states have adopted the Common Core state standards .

It's structured.  Standardized testing is accompanied by a set of established standards or an instructional framework to guide classroom learning and test preparation. This incremental approach creates benchmarks to measure student progress over time.

It's objective.  Standardized tests are often scored by computers or by people who do not directly know the student to remove the chance that bias would affect the scoring. Tests are also developed by experts, and each question undergoes an intense process to ensure its validity—that it properly assesses the content—and its reliability, which means that the question tests consistently over time.

It's granular.  The data generated by testing can be organized according to established criteria or factors, such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and special needs. This approach provides schools with data to develop targeted programs and services for improving student performance.

Standardized Testing Cons

Opponents of standardized testing say educators have become too fixated on scores and preparing for these exams. Some of the most common arguments against testing are:

It's inflexible.  Some students may excel in the classroom yet not perform well on a standardized test because they're unfamiliar with the format or develop test anxiety. Family strife, mental and physical health issues, and language barriers can all affect a student's test score. But standardized tests don't allow personal factors to be taken into consideration.

It's a waste of time.  Standardized testing causes many teachers to teach to the tests, meaning they only spend instructional time on material that will appear on the test. Opponents say this practice lacks creativity and can hinder a student’s overall learning potential.

It can't measure true progress.  Standardized testing only evaluates one-time performance instead of a student's progress and proficiency over time. Many would argue that teacher and student performance should be evaluated for growth over the course of the year instead of one single test.

It's stressful.  Teachers and students alike feel test stress. For educators, poor student performance may result in a loss of funding and teachers being fired. For students, a bad test score may mean missing out on admission to the college of their choice or even being held back. In Oklahoma, for example, high school students must pass four standardized tests in order to graduate, regardless of their GPA. (The state gives seven standardized end-of-instruction (EOI) exams in Algebra I, Algebra II, English II, English III, Biology I, geometry and U.S. history. Students who fail to pass at least four of these exams can’t get a high school diploma.)

It's political.  With public and charter schools both competing for the same public funds, politicians and educators have come to rely even more on standardized test scores. Some opponents of testing argue that low-performing schools are unfairly targeted by politicians who use academic performance as an excuse to further their own agendas.

• School Testing Assesses Knowledge Gains and Gaps
• What Are Some Pros and Cons of the Common Core State Standards?
• Pros and Cons of Teaching
• The Pros and Cons of a Four-Day School Week
• Performance Based Pay for Teachers
• The Buildup of Standardized Testing Pressure
• Pros and Cons of Using a Traditional Grading Scale
• T.E.S.T. Season for Grades 7-12
• The Pros and Cons of Allowing Cell Phones in School
• Pros and Cons of School Uniforms
• The Pros and Cons of Block Schedules
• 10 Pros and Cons of Being a School Principal
• What are the Pros and Cons of Charter Schools?
• Contrasting Growth and Proficiency Models for Student Achievement
• Pros and Cons of Teacher Tenure
• Pros and Cons of Year-Round School

The Connection with Marty Moss-Coane

Listen live.

Here and Now

Here! Now! In the moment! Paddling in the middle of a fast moving stream of news and information. Here & Now is a daily news magazine, bringing you the news that breaks after "Morning Edition" and before "All Things Considered."

• Higher Education

For and against standardized tests: Two student perspectives

• Samantha McIver and Joshua Palackal

A standardized test. (via Shutterstock)

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Brought to you by Speak Easy

Thoughtful essays, commentaries, and opinions on current events, ideas, and life in the Philadelphia region.

You may also like

Philadelphia won’t use test scores for admissions to selective schools for 2022-23

The policy grew out of necessity — very few students this spring have taken or will take the state test due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

3 years ago

Will this tweak in Pa. law send student test scores soaring?

The standardized tests scores of chronically absent students will no longer count against teachers, schools, and the state.

5 years ago

5 ways the SAT has tried to reinvent itself

The SAT has undergone many, many changes over the years. Here’s a brief look at some of its redesigns.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal

• Skip to right header navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to secondary navigation
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Study Abroad

Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing: Essay Tips

June 11, 2020 //  by  Amit Kumar

Standardized tests have become an essential part of American education since the mid of 1800s. As it is completely a different issue, so we need both internal and external assessments to measure the progress of students.

Although evaluations are very helpful in measuring the quality of teaching and learning. These tests are harmful when used to judge student’s natural abilities, and educators are put under pressure.

Students should always arrange assessment tests to get an idea about the success of their children.

Table of Contents

Standardized Testing-a Debatable Topic:

There are only a few topics in the world of education, and standardized testing is the most debatable one of all. Is it essential? Does it equally reflect on the curriculum for each grade student?

In this article, we are going to discuss the most common cited the pros and cons of standardized testing. Parents and teachers alike question the validity and accuracy of standardized testing for students with diverse learning styles and having socioeconomic backgrounds.

Read More: Pros and Cons of Coffee: Essay Tips

Pros of Standardized Testing:

Although everyone agrees to the benefits of standardized testing. Here are a few positive aspects of standardized testing.

• An essential component of the US educational system
• Hold teachers and students accountable
• Parents get more information about the progress of their student
• Accepted set of standards
• Provide information regarding new learning methods
• Allow overseas to determine the effectiveness of the educational system
• Encourages students to work together

An Essential Component of the US Educational System:

Education in the USA has included standardized testing as an essential tool since the mid of 1800s. The programs such as ACT or GRT are also beneficial in determining the placement in advanced educational institutions.

With the increasing advancement in the field of technology, their use has become more prevalent in all 50 states within the US.

Hold Teachers and Students Accountable:

Scores on standardized testing also have become an essential part of public records. If a student is not performing well, then these gaps can be easily identified, and adjustments need to be made to the process of learning methods.

Read More: Pros and Cons of Communism: Essay Tips

Likewise, if a teacher is underperforming adjustments can be made quickly. Students are also checked through this process which helps to find out management issues that lower the quality of education. 

Parents Get More Information about the Progress of Their Student:

Information provided by standardized tests enables parents to look carefully at how their children are performing through percentile rating. 

If a student gets 90 per cent in mathematics, then their parents know that their children are performing better as compared to other peers. Parents also keep track of the latest educational opportunities available in their state or region.

Provide Information Regarding New Learning Methods:

Standardized testing provides a set of new rules to improve the structure, the teaching, and activities in schools. Moreover, special programs are introduced to improve the learning standards for bright students. The main goal in doing so is to raise the test scores that students and teachers are capable of achieving.

Encourages Students to Work Together:

The standardized testing approach also sets a local competition among the students. They work hard day and night to turn their goals into reality. The scores that they can achieve become a sense of pride.

This is especially true in the case of god gifted and talented students who can regularly score in top percentiles according to their grade level.

Accepted Set of Standards:

While if a student shifts to other school districts, their learning methods and techniques are not going to change gradually because of standardized testing.

Every student learning capability is measured using the same standards. This also means that teachers at every grade level have almost the same teaching curricula no matter where they are residing.

Read More: Pros and Cons of Charter Schools: College Essay Tips

Cons of Standardized Testing:

There is no doubt that standardized testing is a helpful tool, but it is also restricted to teachers and students in practice. Here are a few negative impacts of standardized testing.

• Provides students with one-day evaluation
• The teaching method of teachers is different
• Potential to create teaching gaps
• Struggle to evaluate student’s growth
• Creates questions and answers having their subjectivity
• Funding depends on student rate of scoring
• Destroy the self-esteem of students
• Causes the students to abandon their profession

Provides Students with One-day Evaluation:

If a student feels dizzy in the morning and can’t perform well in their standard tests, then they need to work hard for standard testing. In many cases, it has been observed that some students take anxiety about their test, which directly affects their performance.

This means that a standardized test is not always a reflection of the student’s intelligence.

The Teaching Method of Teachers Is Different:

Because the student’s evaluation made by teachers is based on standardized testing, which is entirely different from the traditional classroom method?

Instead of teaching advanced skills to students, they restrict them to only subject-based learning. This, in turn, removes creativity that can be practised in classrooms.

Potential to Create Teaching Gaps:

Because teachers are hyper forced on their test results, students are being identified based on how well they perform. In this way, talented students get little attention from their teachers as they tend towards poor students.

This limits the learning potential of god gifted students who can take benefit from advanced skill training.

Struggle to Evaluate Student’s Growth:

Standardized testing is introduced to determine how proficient student is at the time of taking the test. It evaluates hard student work based on their progress in a standard test.

Destroy the Self-esteem of Students:

Teachers approach school as a job or necessity to earn a better living. In the case of poor standardized testing conducted by teachers, students are capable of working less on their abilities and performance.

A low grade leads to summer coaching, and the idea of summer vacations is ruined. In this way, they destroy the self-esteem of students. 

Read More: Pros and Cons of Fracking: Essay Tips

Moreover, in many school districts, the amount of funding they are going to receive is dependent on scores of standardized testing. This put pressure on teachers and led them towards competition with other educator teachers.

Conclusion:

Hence standardized testing can create an excess of invaluable information. It also enables teachers on how to teach and when to teach it. If we put more focus on individually teaching every student, we are going to get more benefits from this type of testing.

About Amit Kumar

FreeEducator.com blog is managed by Amit Kumar. He and his team come from the Oxford, Stanford and Harvard.

At FreeEducator, we strive to create the best admission platform so that international students can go to the best universities - regardless of financial circumstances.

By applying with us, international students get unlimited support and unbiased advice to secure the best college offers overseas.

Need help with studying abroad? or need a scholarship?

Schedule a no-cost consultation today!

We help students around the world with their college applications and related scholarships. With us you can apply for college admissions and we’ll help you apply for all available scholarships with that.

You May Also Be Interested In:

How to Become Web Developer for Free?

Unesco calling application for international fund for cultural diversity.

Colleges in France for International Students

Colleges in germany for international students.

Best Ways for College Students to Make Money

Christmas Presents for College Students

Best Laptops for High School Students 2020

Best Remote Jobs for College Students

Best International Credit Card for Students

About FreeEducator

FreeEducator is a free study abroad and scholarships resource site for international students. FreeEducator was founded in August 2007 by Amit Kumar. The main goal of this site is to provide quality support to international students that allows them to improve their chances of success in life.

• Terms of Use

Email: [email protected]

Northways Parade 28 College Cres, London NW3 5DN

12 Advantages and Disadvantages of Standardized Testing

Standardized testing has been around for several generations. In the United States, standardized tests have been used to evaluate student performance since the middle of the 19th century. Virtually every person who has attended a public or private school has taken at least one standardized test.

The advantages and disadvantages of standardized testing are quite unique. On one hand, these tests provide a way to compare student knowledge to find learning gaps. On the other hand, not every student performs well on a test, despite having a comprehensive knowledge and understanding about the subject matter involved. Here are some of the key points to consider.

What Are the Advantages of Standardized Testing?

1. It has a positive impact on student achievement. According to a review of testing research that has been conducted over the past century, over 90% of students have found that standardized tests have a positive effect on their achievement. Students feel better about their ability to comprehend and know subject materials that are presented on a standardized test. Even if a perfect score isn’t achieved, knowing where a student stands helps them be able to address learning deficits.

2. It is a reliable and objective measurement of achievement. Standardized tests allow for a reliable measurement of student success that isn’t influenced by local factors. Local school districts and teachers may have a vested interest in the outcomes of testing and the desire to produce a favorable result can create inaccurate test results. Because standardized tests are graded by computers, they are not as subject to human bias or subjectivity, which makes them a more accurate reflection of student success.

3. Standardized tests allow for equal and equivalent content for all students. This means a complete evaluation of students from an equal perspective can be obtained. Using alternate tests or exempting children from taking a standardized test creates unequal systems, which then creates one group of students who is accountable to their results and another group of students that is unaccountable. It is a system that looks at every child through equal eyes.

4. A standardized test teaches students prioritization. Standardized testing covers core subject materials that students need for success in other subject areas. Without reading, for example, it would be difficult to learn how to write properly. Without mathematics, it would be difficult to pursue scientific concepts. The goal of a standardized test is to cover core subject materials that will help students excel in other related subjects, giving them the chance to master core curriculum items so they can move on to correlating subjects with greater ease.

5. It allows school districts to discover their good teachers. Good teachers understand that test preparation drills and specific core instructions to “teach to a test” are not the best way to encourage learning. Repetition does not produce test score gains, but teaching a curriculum that allows students to explore a subject according to their interests, with teacher guidance, will do so. Test-taking skills and memorization do not promote understanding and districts which take these actions continually show low overall standardized testing scores.

What Are the Disadvantages of Standardized Testing?

1. It has not had a positive impact on student education. Since 2002, when the United States added more emphasis to standardized testing, it has dropped in global education rankings. From 2002-2009, the US went from being ranked 18th in the world in mathematic to being ranked 31st in the world. The rankings in science also dropped in a similar way, while reading comprehension remained largely unchanged. According to the National Research Council, even incentive programs tied to standardized testing results are not working to improve student comprehension, understanding, and knowledge.

2. Standardized testing can be predictable. Students who are aware of patterns can determine what the answers to a standardized test could be by only knowing a handful of answers with certainty. This predictability reflects the natural human bias that occurs in every action or reaction we have in any endeavor. It also means test scores can be high without reflecting student understanding. Brookings found that up to 80% of test score improvements in test scores can have nothing to do with long-term learning changes.

3. They assume that all students start from the same point of understanding. Standardized tests may allow for a direct comparison of data, but they do not account for differences in the students who are taking the tests. In the US, standardized tests could be considered discriminatory in some regions because they assume that the student is a first-language English speaker. Students who have special needs, learning disabilities, or have other challenges which are addressed by an Individualized Education Plan may also be at a disadvantage when taking a standardized test compared to those who do not have those concerns.

4. Standardized tests only look at raw comprehension data. Students learn in a variety of ways. People have many different strengths that may not be reflected in the context of a standardized test. Traits like creativity, enthusiasm, empathy, curiosity, or resourcefulness cannot be tracked by these tests, even though they are highly desirable traits in modern careers. A standardized test could determine the knowledge a student has about musical theory, but it cannot judge the quality of a composition that a student might create.

5. Teacher evaluations have been tied to standardized test results. Many teachers are being evaluated on the work that their students do on a standardized test. Based on the classroom grades achieved, a teacher might receive a raise or be fired from their job. This creates a host of learning problems. For starters, only the students who are performing poorly on testing simulations receive a majority of the attention from the teacher, leaving good students to fend for themselves. Teachers then begin to “teach to the test” instead of teaching subject materials to obtain needed results. This creates a reduction of higher-order thinking, reduces complex assignments, and prevents cognitive understanding.

6. Standardized tests narrow the curriculum. According to the Center on Education Policy, from 2001-2007, school districts in the United States reduced the amount of time spent on social studies, creative subjects, and science by over 40%. This results in the average student losing more than 2 hours of instruction time in these areas so that they can focus on subjects that are on standardized tests, such as reading and math.

7. More time is spent on test preparation instead of actual learning. Many school districts, especially those with lower test scores, spend more classroom time on test preparation than learning the curriculum. In 2010, New York City took the extraordinary measure of including 2.5-hour test preparation sessions on scheduled school vacation days.

The advantages and disadvantages of standardized testing show that it can be a useful tool for student evaluation, but only when it is used correctly. Like any system, it can be abused by those who are looking for shortcuts. That is why each key point must be carefully considered before implementing or making changes to a plan of standardized testing.

• Admissions Event Registration
• Admissions Inquiry
• Merit Scholarship
• SpiritWear Store
• Alumni Stories
• Parent Portal
• Whitby Difference
• Whitby Education
• Whitby Experience
• Whitby in the News
• Whitby Campus
• Parent Involvement
• Board of Trustees
• Head of School Search
• Stepping Stones
• Physical Education
• Cocurriculars
• Secondary School Counseling
• Community Service
• Signature Experiences

• Privacy Policy

The Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing

Whitby School

Standardized testing has ignited a national debate in the last few years (or decades), and many parents feel understandably concerned about their children being judged on the basis of tests that, in some cases, don’t seem to reliably correlate with actual learning or with successful college and career outcomes.

In the United States, both public and private schools use standardized assessments each school year. In public schools, students must undergo many tests to ensure they are meeting state or federal standards. Private schools have more leeway, although at Whitby we do require our students from Grade 2 on to complete the Comprehensive Testing Program from the Educational Records Bureau and the International Schools Assessment from the Australian Council for Educational Research.

At Whitby, we believe that standardized testing can benefit students—as long as it’s looked at in the right light. Below we’ll discuss some of the benefits of standardized assessments, as well as some of the ways standardised assessments can be negative for students.

Pro # 1. Standardized testing is a metric for learning

When Whitby students are assessed through standardized testing, we gain a valuable metric we can use to check the quality of our curriculum. With exams created and given by an independent organization, standardized test scores are useful because they come from a neutral source and give us data that we can compare to other independent schools across the United States and with other international schools across the globe.

Pro # 2. Standardized testing helps pinpoint areas for improvement

When we receive standardized test data at Whitby, we use it to evaluate the effectiveness of our education program. We view standardized testing data as not only another set of data points to assess student performance , but also as a means to help us reflect on our curriculum. When we look at Whitby’s assessment data, we can compare our students to their peers at other schools to determine what we’re doing well within our educational continuum and where we need to invest more time and resources.

Pro # 3. Standardized tests can help schools evaluate progress

Assessment data is also useful for year-over-year internal comparisons. We compare data over a number of years to find trends—and then trace any changes back to their source. If the math scores of our fourth grade students suddenly jump, we want to identify what change led to the improved performance, and how we can continue to implement this within our curriculum. We’re also able to use a student’s historical assessment data to monitor their progress and uncover any challenges they may need to overcome (as well as identifying places where they have already improved and excelled.)

Now let’s take a look at what we view as the most concerning aspects of standardized assessment:

Con #1. Test scores can impact confidence

A big disadvantage of standardized testing is that it’s easy to interpret a student’s score as the sole judgement of that student’s ability. We’re constantly emphasizing at Whitby that the number is only one point of data within an array of internal assessments across many subject areas that provide us with information on a student’s learning progress. There are many cases where students have demonstrated clear understanding within a subject or concept through various assessments, but aren’t as skilled at taking multiple choice tests. Nevertheless, it can be hard on a student if they feel that they didn’t perform as well as they’d like. In worst case scenarios, instead of determining the entire picture of learning through a review of all assessment data with their teachers, a student might determine their success based on a standardized test score that is taken once a year..

Con #2. There’s pressure to “teach to the test”

When standardized exams become all important in a school or district, it has a massive impact on teaching and learning. Educators frequently start “teaching to the test” if they feel that their evaluations (and jobs) solely depend on how well students perform. Educators may also stop trying new techniques and teaching methods in the classroom. With every minute counting on the way to their students’ next exam, teachers will worry that an untested method will backfire and their students will score worse than before. This comes at the cost of inquiry, engagement, creativity and risk taking in student learning.

Con #3. Scores don’t provide a true picture of a student’s ability

Far too many people wrongly assume that standardized testing data provides a neutral authoritative assessment of a child’s intellectual ability. Cultural factors, unfamiliarity with testing methods, test anxiety, and illness can wreak havoc with how well a student performs. For that reason, it’s important to dig deeper when looking at a student’s test scores. Does a low score indicate a lack of knowledge about the subject or a problem with taking the standardized test? For example, an excellent writer could struggle with picking out the right answer in a multiple choice grammar and punctuation test. Yet that same student could excel at composing well-thought out, logical essays about the literature they read and enjoyed in class.

It’s also easy to assume that students who score high in math are good at processing information and reasoning abstractly, but that’s not always the case. In fact, researchers have found that high standardized scores have little correlation with memory, attention and processing speed. High test scores could simply mean a student excels at rote memorization and multiple choice test taking.

Our Final Assessment

Standardized testing is truthfully a very difficult issue, because we do need internal and external assessments to measure student success. Assessments are useful when they’re used as data to help schools improve the quality of the teaching and learning. They become harmful, however, when tests are used to judge students’ natural abilities and when educators are put under pressure to “teach to the test.” Schools and parents should always look at standardized tests not as a value judgement on the student, but as an additional data point that can provide some perspective on student learning.

Topics assessment

You may also like:

Browse topics.

• Passion for Learning (33)
• Global Citizenship (22)
• Whole Child Development (21)
• inquiry-based learning (15)
• Parenting (14)
• Primary Years Program (14)
• International Baccalaureate (12)
• Summer Learning (12)
• Perspective (11)
• Technology (11)
• Digital Citizenship (9)
• lifelong learning (9)
• Community (8)
• Empowerment (8)
• Collaboration (7)
• language (7)
• Middle Years Program (6)
• Co-Curriculars (5)
• IB Schools (5)
• Innovation (5)
• Middle School (5)
• Montessori (5)
• IB Learner Profile Traits (4)
• Professional Development (4)
• Reflections (4)
• distance learning (4)
• educational trends (4)
• Athletics (3)
• E-learning (3)
• Makerspace (3)
• Mathematics (3)
• Student Assessment (3)
• whitby school (3)
• Coaching (2)
• Curriculum (2)
• Dominican Republic (2)
• Guest Speakers (2)
• Head of School (2)
• Lower School (2)
• Notes from the Classroom (2)
• Spanish language (2)
• Theater (2)
• cultural competency (2)
• individuals and societies (2)
• language immersion (2)
• social responsibility (2)
• social-emotional (2)
• student leadership (2)
• Admissions (1)
• Cross Country (1)
• Exhibition (1)
• Grade 4 (1)
• In the news (1)
• Perspective Unit (1)
• Secondary School (1)
• Sensory skills (1)
• Service (1)
• Tutorials (1)
• Unit of Inquiry (1)
• assessment (1)
• community service (1)
• competition (1)
• confidence (1)
• early childhood learning (1)
• emotional intelligence (1)
• empathy (1)
• executive functioning (1)
• goal setting (1)
• montesorri (1)
• sensory experiences (1)
• Admission Policy
• Mission and Vision
• Annual Reports

pros and cons of standardized testing : A Comprehensive Analysis

Standardized testing is a common method of evaluating student performance and academic achievement in many countries around the world. The use of standardized tests has been a topic of debate among educators, policymakers, and parents for many years. Some argue that standardized testing provides valuable information about student learning and can help identify areas where improvements are needed. Others believe that standardized testing is a flawed approach that fails to account for the diversity of student learning styles and abilities. In this essay, we will explore the pros and cons of standardized testing.

Table of Contents

• 1 The Significance of Standardized Testing in Modern Education
• 2 Pros of Standardized Testing:
• 3 Cons of Standardized Testing:

The Significance of Standardized Testing in Modern Education

Standardized testing is a widely used method of evaluating student performance in many educational institutions around the world. These tests are designed to measure student learning and academic achievement in a consistent and objective manner. The results of standardized tests are often used to hold schools, teachers, and students accountable for their academic progress, and to identify areas where additional support and resources may be needed.

However, the use of standardized testing is not without controversy, as some argue that it is a flawed approach that fails to account for the diversity of student learning styles and abilities. Despite this, standardized testing remains an important tool for educators and policymakers to assess student performance and inform instructional decisions.

Pros of Standardized Testing:

• Objectivity: Standardized tests are designed to be objective, which means that all students are evaluated using the same criteria. This eliminates the potential for bias or subjective grading.
• Accountability: Standardized testing provides a means of measuring student performance and holding schools, teachers, and students accountable for their academic progress.
• Comparison: Standardized tests can be used to compare the performance of students from different schools, districts, or countries. This can help identify areas where improvements are needed and provide a benchmark for academic achievement.
• Feedback: Standardized testing provides feedback to students, parents, and teachers about student strengths and weaknesses. This can help identify areas where additional support is needed and inform instructional decisions.
• College Admission: Standardized test scores are often used as a factor in college admission decisions. High scores on standardized tests can increase a student’s chances of being accepted into a desired college or university.

Cons of Standardized Testing:

• Limited Assessment: Standardized tests provide a limited assessment of student learning and do not account for differences in learning styles, interests, or abilities.
• Stress: The pressure to perform well on standardized tests can cause stress and anxiety for students. This can lead to a negative impact on academic performance and mental health.
• Teaching to the Test: The emphasis on standardized testing can lead to a focus on test preparation rather than a more comprehensive and meaningful education.
• Inaccurate Results: Standardized tests are not always an accurate measure of student learning or academic achievement. Factors such as test anxiety, cultural differences, and language barriers can impact test results.
• Limited Feedback: Standardized tests provide limited feedback on student performance and do not provide information on specific areas where students need additional support or intervention.

Conclusion:

The use of standardized testing is a controversial issue in education. While standardized tests can provide valuable information about student learning and academic achievement, they are not without limitations. Standardized tests are objective, provide accountability, and can be used to compare student performance. However, they can also cause stress, encourage teaching to the test, and provide limited feedback on student performance. It is important for educators, policymakers, and parents to consider the pros and cons of standardized testing and to use multiple measures of assessment to gain a more comprehensive understanding of student learning and academic achievement.

You may like it

american university vs george washington university

Pros and Cons of Physical Education: Exploring the Benefits and Challenges

Best Paying Jobs in Building Operators: Top 10 High-Paying Roles in Building Maintenance and Management

Car Mechanic Trade School: Best Auto Mechanic Programs 2024

how to become a flight attendant in 2024! Step-by-step with tips

lifeline free tablet: How to Get Lifeline Free Tablet in 2024

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Free Consultation
• The Spark Advantage
• Who We Serve
• About Admissions Consultants
• Testimonials
• College Admissions
• BS/MD Programs
• Private School Admissions
• Transfer Admissions
• Results by Year
• > College Admissions

Pros & Cons of Standardized Testing for College Admissions

Debates around standardized testing have been around for as long as standardized test scores have been part of education in the United States. Some argue that students undergo too much testing: by their high schools, by the state, for college admissions, etc. Others argue that standardized tests, such as the SAT and the ACT, are the only fair way to evaluate student achievement.

During the past seventy-five years, arguments about the value of the SAT and the ACT have not eliminated these tests. Yet, these tests have changed. The SAT, for instance, was originally intended to be an IQ test, a perfect encapsulation of a student’s intelligence. Now, college admissions officers know that an SAT score is not a whole picture of a high school student’s abilities. It’s just one piece among many they use to evaluate applicants.

Nevertheless, knowing some of the pros and cons of standardized testing can help you better understand the American education system as a whole and how to approach it.

The Pros of Standardized Testing for College Admissions

Below, you can find some of the major arguments in favor of standardized testing. Schools, colleges, and states that require standardized testing generally believe these to be true, even if they are also aware of some of the downsides to standardized tests (see below).

Standardized Testing Is Fair

This is probably the biggest argument proponents of standardized testing, using the SAT or ACT for college admissions, make: it’s fair. It’s a single test, taken under equal conditions, to measure student achievement fairly. By this logic, standardized test scores from the SAT and ACT are some of the only aspects of a student’s academic performance that aren’t determined by their town or school.

It Creates a Universal Standard for Education

The obvious purpose of standardized testing is to create a standard. Proponents of standardized testing argue that some kind of examination outside of school curricula—which can vary widely by school district—can help an education system better compare students from very different backgrounds because all these students took the exact same test. By measuring students against that universal standard, it becomes easier to evaluate and rank them.

It Holds Teachers and Students Accountable

In the same way that standardized tests provide a standard to measure students, they can also help set larger educational standards for schools across a state or country. Standardized tests make educational initiatives like No Child Left Behind or the Common Core more concrete by checking students’ academic progress. If students in particular school districts are struggling to perform at grade level, superintendents and governments know to get involved.

The SAT and ACT Shows Analytical Progress

Standardized testing can also help standardize individual students’ educations. In addition to comparing students against one another or identifying problematic schools or districts, standardized tests can also illustrate student progress over time. Taking the same or similar tests over the years can allow students to indicate measurable improvement.

It Provides an Inclusive Opportunity

Standardized tests, such as the SAT and ACT, can give students from under-performing high schools a chance to prove that they have mastered ample academic material despite their circumstances. Because standardized tests are not tied to any one high school curriculum, they can offer an inclusive opportunity for students to highlight their successful performance. Proponents argue that standardized testing can help level the playing field in public education.

Many Professionals Must Take High-Stakes Standardized Tests

Finally, while much of the arguing around standardized testing is focused on high school students and younger, the fact is that standardized testing is often a fact of life well beyond secondary school. Anyone who wants to become a doctor, lawyer, teacher, engineer, actuary, architect, or practitioner of another specialized profession will eventually have to excel at a standardized test. Given that, why not become familiar with test-taking in secondary school?

The Cons of Standardized Testing

On the other hand, many people do not consider the SAT and ACT to be valuable or valid assessment tool for evaluating student performance. This is why some school systems are pushing back on things like Common Core state standards and ever more colleges are becoming test-optional . Below you’ll find some of the main arguments against standardized testing.

The SAT and ACT Don’t Measure Intelligence—Only Wealth

While proponents argue that standardized tests provide an objective measure of student achievement, the data is more complicated. In fact, research suggests that the best predictor of success on the SAT is socioeconomic status rather than one’s education or grade level. Opponents of the SAT argue that this inequity arises because wealthy families have the time and money for test preparation resources and services, which essentially means that a good score can be purchased.

It Restricts Teachers’ Effectiveness and Creativity

Another major argument is that an over-reliance on test data to measure student performance negatively impacts teachers’ ability to actually do their jobs. A standardized test at the end of the school year can disrupt a teacher’s curricular plan and force him or her to cover material that might be less relevant to his or her students. Similarly, many teachers find constant testing over the course of the year to be disruptive and unproductive to student learning.

The SAT and ACT Can Negatively Impact Students’ Confidence

Another argument is that standardized testing, such as the SAT and ACT, causes otherwise successful students to lose confidence in themselves and their abilities. Many students suffer from test anxiety, meaning that they do not perform at their usual level because they find the experience of test-taking so stressful. Evaluating a student’s performance only through an impartial test can also negatively affect graduation rates if low scores demoralize students.

The SAT and ACT Unfairly Affect Public School Funding

Because standardized testing data is a matter of public record, it affects funding for public schools. However, many private schools are exempt from state and federal testing requirements, which means that those students are not bound to the same testing cycle. Meanwhile, public schools that face more significant challenges can end up being cut off from the state and federal support they need if their test results are not making the grade.

It’s Unfair to Certain Types of Learners

In addition to being unfair to low-income students, standardized tests often misrepresent the academic abilities of English Language Learner (ELL) students and students with special needs . Although testing accommodations exist, these tests are still designed with a particular student in mind. Opponents of standardized tests argue that anyone who deviates from that ideal, for whatever reason, is automatically at a disadvantage.

The SAT and ACT Don’t Predict Future Success

Ideally, a standardized test would evaluate not just what a student knows already, but also his or her learning potential. After all, colleges that use the SAT and ACT do so because they want to admit students who will succeed on their campuses. But opponents of these tests point to research that suggests that, in fact, the SAT and ACT are poor predictors of student success at the undergraduate level.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, students and families don’t always have much of a say in what standardized tests they do or don’t have to take. That decision is generally up to schools, school districts, college admissions offices, and graduate and professional programs. No matter where you come down on the arguments for and against standardized testing, there’s a good chance you’re going to have to take a few of them over the course of your education.

Nevertheless, being knowledgeable about the subject can make you a more informed and prepared test-taker. Knowing what the goals of these tests are, as well as their potential downsides, will ultimately be an advantage as you navigate the process. If you are wondering how you can start improving your grades and test scores, or if you’re looking for help designing a test strategy for you, reach out to one of our expert admissions consultants here !

Subscribe to our newsletter for college admissions news

Related articles from the spark admissions blog.

Which Colleges and Universities Will Be Test-Optional for the Class of 2025?

Categories: College Admissions

Which Colleges and Universities Will Be Requiring the SAT or ACT for the Class of 2025?

What Does Test Blind Mean?

Spark admissions has the highest college admissions success rate in the country..

Contact us to learn more about our admissions consulting services.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Home — Essay Samples — Education — Pedagogy — Standardized Testing

Essays on Standardized Testing

Hook examples for standardized testing, anecdotal hook.

"Picture this: a stressed student sitting at a desk, pencil in hand, facing a standardized test that could determine their future. We've all been there, but what are the real consequences of these high-stakes exams?"

Rhetorical Question Hook

"Is standardized testing a fair and accurate measure of a student's knowledge and abilities, or is it merely a snapshot of their test-taking skills on a given day?"

Startling Statistic Hook

"In the United States, students take over 112 standardized tests on average by the time they graduate from high school. Are we truly measuring learning, or drowning in a sea of assessments?"

"Albert Einstein once said, 'Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.' How does this wisdom from one of the greatest minds in history apply to our obsession with standardized testing?"

Historical Hook

"Standardized testing has a long history dating back to China's imperial exams. How has this centuries-old practice evolved, and what lessons can we learn from its past?"

Narrative Hook

"Let me take you on a journey through the life of a student preparing for the SAT. Their experiences, challenges, and triumphs reveal the true impact of standardized testing on individuals."

Contrast Hook

"In an era of personalized learning and diverse educational approaches, standardized testing seems like a one-size-fits-all solution. But does it truly accommodate the unique needs and talents of every student?"

Emotional Appeal Hook

"Behind every test score is a student's ambition, a teacher's dedication, and a family's hopes. Standardized testing decisions can carry immense emotional weight—what happens when they don't align with our aspirations?"

Shocking Scenario Hook

"Imagine a world where students are reduced to mere test scores, where creativity and critical thinking are overshadowed by the pursuit of higher metrics. Is this the future we want for our education system?"

Curiosity Hook

"What if I told you that Finland, a country renowned for its educational success, has minimal standardized testing? Exploring this unconventional approach may challenge our notions of assessment."

Should Standardized Testing Be Abolished?

The pros and cons of standardized testing in education, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

The Impact of Standardized Testing on The American Education System

The issues and negative effects of standardized testing, the many downsides of standardized testing in schools, standardized testing should be abolished in american schools, let us write you an essay from scratch.

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

The Reasons Why Standardized Testing Should Be Abolished

Standardized testing - not a fair representation of kids’ intelligence, standardized testing as a form of competition in the education system, ainsworth’s strange situation: pros and cons, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

The Issues of Standardized Testing in No Child Left Behind Act

Negative effects of the distribution of standardized tests within american classrooms, the problems associated in the administration and scoring of standardized testing, a reflection on taking an implicit association test, the issue of double standards for iq testing, standardized testing in american colleges, a critical research on the effectiveness of college acceptance exams, are examinations a good measure of intelligence, standardized tests in education: controversies and alternatives, advantages and limitations of cat in education, the standardized testing debate: its role in college admissions, argumentative essay on standardized testing, standardized testing: a flawed measure of academic achievement.

A standardized test is a method of assessment built on the principle of consistency: all test takers are required to answer the same questions and all answers are graded in the same, predetermined way.

Achievement tests, Aptitude tests, College-admissions tests, International-comparison tests, Psychological tests.

Relevant topics

• Stem Education
• Service Learning
• Academic Achievements
• Academic Interests
• Physical Education
• Critical Thinking
• Studying Abroad
• Bilingual Education
• Liberal Arts Education
• Extracurricular Activities

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Bibliography

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

The Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing in Educational Systems.

Standardized testing has been a prominent feature of educational systems in many countries, aiming to assess student performance, measure academic achievement, and inform educational policy decisions. However, this practice has sparked debates among educators, policymakers, and parents regarding its merits and drawbacks. This essay will explore the pros and cons of standardized testing to provide a comprehensive understanding of its impact on educational systems.

Pros of Standardized Testing:

Objective Assessment: Standardized tests offer a standardized and uniform way of evaluating students' knowledge and skills. They provide an objective measure of academic performance, allowing for comparisons between schools, districts, and regions. This objectivity can aid in identifying strengths and weaknesses within the educational system.

Accountability and Quality Assurance: Standardized testing holds schools, teachers, and administrators accountable for their performance. It provides a basis for evaluating the effectiveness of educational programs and the overall quality of instruction. This accountability can drive improvements in teaching practices and curricula to enhance student learning outcomes.

Data-Driven Decision Making: The data generated from standardized tests can inform evidence-based decision-making processes. Policymakers can use this information to allocate resources, design targeted interventions, and implement reforms to address specific educational challenges effectively.

College Admissions and Academic Placement: Standardized test scores are often considered in college admissions processes. They can provide an additional data point to assess students' readiness for higher education and assist colleges in making admissions decisions. Furthermore, these scores may help place students in appropriate academic tracks within their schools.

Identifying Achievement Gaps: Standardized testing can highlight achievement gaps among different student groups, such as minorities, economically disadvantaged students, and students with disabilities. Recognizing these gaps allows for targeted interventions and equity-focused policies to address disparities in educational outcomes.

Cons of Standardized Testing:

Narrow Focus on Assessment: Critics argue that standardized testing often narrows the curriculum, as educators may prioritize teaching to the test to improve scores. This focus can lead to neglecting other essential aspects of education, such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Stress and Anxiety: Standardized testing can induce significant stress and anxiety in students. The high-stakes nature of these tests, coupled with external pressures from parents and educators, may negatively impact students' mental well-being and hinder their ability to perform to their full potential.

Limited Assessment of Skills: Standardized tests primarily measure students' performance in subjects like math and language arts, neglecting other equally valuable skills and talents that students possess, such as arts, physical education, and social skills.

Cultural Bias: Some standardized tests may contain cultural biases that disadvantage certain groups of students. Language barriers or cultural differences in test content can lead to inaccurate assessments of a student's true abilities, perpetuating inequalities in the education system.

One-Size-Fits-All Approach: Standardized testing assumes a uniform learning pace and style for all students, disregarding individual differences in learning abilities and preferences. This approach may not accurately reflect a student's true potential or growth over time.

Teaching to the Test: The pressure to achieve high test scores may lead to a "teaching to the test" mentality, where educators focus on test-specific content and strategies rather than fostering a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

In conclusion, standardized testing in educational systems has both advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, it offers an objective assessment of student performance, holds educational institutions accountable, and provides valuable data for decision-making. On the other hand, it can narrow the curriculum, induce stress in students, and may not fully capture the breadth of students' skills and abilities. Striking a balance between standardized testing and alternative assessment methods that promote a more comprehensive understanding of students' strengths and weaknesses is essential. Moreover, policymakers and educators should be mindful of potential cultural biases and work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable testing environment to ensure that standardized testing serves as a meaningful tool for educational improvement.

Get started for free

Please enter a valid Name

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid Phone Number

Please enter a valid Password

By creating your account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy .

Already have an account? Sign In here.

Please enter your email address

Show Password

Forgot Password?

Don’t have an account? Sign Up

Verify Your Account

Enter the verification codes to confirm your identity.

Hi, Continue Logging In

Continue Logging In

Verify Your Email

Please check your inbox for a verification code to confirm your identity.

Code sent to [email protected]

Send again in seconds

Code sent to +1 302 385 6690

(877) 322-NWEF | [email protected]

Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing – Part One

“The purpose of this title is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging State academic achievement standards and state academic assessments.”

No Child Left Behind Act

Standardized testing is a staple of American education. With roots dating back to the 19 th century , standardized testing began to be used nationally by the 1980s.

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 mandated annual testing in all 50 states, propelling the use of the tests into overdrive. From elementary school to college and university admission, standardized testing is the “gold standard” for student assessment nationwide. However, it has recently come under serious scrutiny.

Advocates of standardized testing offer convincing arguments. For instance, the tests provide an objective method of evaluating educational progress.

“What better way to prove you’ve learned something than to perform a task based on that learning? That’s the theory behind performance-based assessment, which asks students to … solve a problem or complete a task applying what they’ve learned throughout the school year,” notes Funderstanding , “Fans of this type of assessment say it’s much closer to how students will be assessed in the ‘real world,’ and it’s also a great way to foster a sense of innovation and problem-solving that’s lost in the land of the standardized test.”

Critics of these tests point to numerous objections, such as the unfair advantage standardized tests give to children who are naturally good at taking tests. Students who struggle in this area are at an automatic disadvantage. Additionally, these assessments may not offer a reliable measurement of student progress.

There is no doubt that standardized tests are entrenched in modern American education, with their pros and cons. This article will examine standardized testing as a whole and take a deeper dive into just a few of the many arguments for standardized testing.

Standardized Testing Defined

Standardized testing is a general method of testing students to collect data and evaluate academic advancement. According to The Glossary of Education Reform , “A standardized test is any form of test that (1) requires all test takers to answer the same questions, or a selection of questions from common bank of questions, in the same way, and that (2) is scored in a “standard” or consistent manner, which makes it possible to compare the relative performance of individual students or groups of students.”

In general, the term “standardized test” refers to large-scale tests administered within the education system. These tests target large populations of students and often use multiple-choice and true-false formats. Standardized tests are not comprehensive, and they are not designed to be. Instead, they are used to offer insights and data.

Education Post notes , “Standardized tests are a spotlight that helps education leaders see what effect schools are having on students. With that information, they can make changes to address students’ needs. Like any spotlight, state tests cannot shed light on the entire scene, but they can illuminate some of the trouble spots and positive signs along the path to providing a better education.”

Benefits of Standardized Testing

1. it is uniform.

Educational policymakers tout a host of reasons in support of large-scale standardized testing. One pro is that the tests are uniform; all students are given the same opportunity since the tests are the same across the board.

“Standardized tests are carefully constructed tests that have uniformity of procedure in scoring, administering, and interpreting the test results,” states Honest Pros and Cons . “All students are provided with the same tests and scored consistently, in a standard manner, to make it possible to compare the results of individual tests as a performance standard.”

The fact that the tests are standardized for all participating students offers a sense of fairness and accountability.

2. It Allows for Comparisons and Accountability

Since standardized testing is exactly that—standard—it can offer a level of statistical comparison and accountability across districts and regions. Despite any perceived (or actual) shortcomings of the tests, the fact of the matter is that their uniformity provides the same advantages and disadvantages from community to community. This allows for performance and data comparison.

Vittana.org explains , “The information that is provided by a standardized test allows parents to see how their children are performing against national standards through a percentile rating … Every student is evaluated in the same way with these tests, which means there is a guarantee of a specific educational framework in every school.”

Standardized tests offer a baseline of assessment and help to evaluate school standards. ThoughtCo notes that a significant benefit of standardized testing is that educators are held responsible for teaching students the required material . Because test scores become public record, teachers and schools that appear to be failing their students can be examined and held accountable.

Standardized testing can be a helpful tool and has the ability to provide unique data nationwide. When analyzed correctly, this is a definite pro for standardized testing.

3. It Charts Individual Progress

“ Standardized testing can also help standardize individual students’ educations,” suggests Spark Admissions . “In addition to comparing students against one another or identifying problematic schools or districts, standardized tests can also illustrate student progress over time. Taking the same or similar tests over the years can allow students to indicate measurable improvement.”

Standardized testing is conducted fairly frequently for most students. According to a comprehensive study conducted by the Council of the Great City Schools, students took an average of 112 mandatory standardized tests between pre-K and 12th grade. This results in plenty of individualized data to map each student’s progress throughout his or her school experience.

Standardized tests can also be used to evaluate whether or not a student is eligible to advance to the next grade. While it’s fairly common for students to move on to the next grade with their peers, versus being held back, this is a highly debated practice. Teachers and parents can use standardized testing results to help determine whether a child should be held back or not.

VitaEducation notes this as a pro , “State-mandated standardized tests help prevent ‘social promotion,’ the practice of allowing students to advance from grade to grade whether or not they have met the academic standards of their grade level. A Dec. 2004 paper by the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research found Florida’s 2002 initiative to end social promotion, holding back students who failed year-end standardized tests, improved those students’ scores by 9% in math and 4% in reading after one year.”

Standardized testing can paint teachers, parents, and the students themselves a valuable and personalized picture of each child’s abilities and knowledge.

4. It Spans Educational Options

Because the tests are nationally uniform, they can span educational options. There are several alternatives to public education. Time4Learning offers a brief look into other educational options , including homeschooling and private schools.

Standardized testing can be a valuable tool for parents, teachers, and students outside of the public school platform. Below is an overview of standardized testing in the homeschool and private school arenas:

Homeschooling

For instance, homeschooled children have the opportunity to test their knowledge and abilities against other students nationwide.

Standardized tests appeal to many home educators who want to help their children stay “up to par” or at an appropriate stage for their grade level. Standardized testing can offer an objective glance at how these children measure up to national averages. Additionally, the tests can provide homeschooling families with a degree of protection and validation for their education choice.

The Homeschool Legal Defense Association offers an excellent explanation of the pros and cons of standardized testing for homeschooled students. They note these specific “pros”:

It is the most objective form of academic assessment.

It is well recognized by academic institutions. If your child reenters the traditional school setting after being homeschooled, having some well-recognized test scores may ease the process.

If you need, or want, to know what grade level your child is in based on content knowledge, then these tests can be more helpful than specific-subject placement tests.

Quote taken from “ Intro to Standardized Testing. ”

Private Schooling

Standardized testing in private schools can be a bit of a complex issue. Study.com explains , “The regulations governing private schools vary widely from state to state. Some states, like South Dakota, require private schools to use the same tests that are used in the public system. Others, like Wisconsin, offer the public school tests as an option for private schools. There are also states, like South Carolina, which have no policy in effect at all. Finally, states like California explicitly ban the use of public testing resources by private schools.”

While many private schools do not use standardized testing, some do, either by choice or by law. Generally, private schools do not publish the testing score data, which is one difference between their testing protocol and those of public schools. However, the test results can offer many of the same benefits for private school parents, students, and teachers as they do for public schools.

To summarize, standardized testing allows for evaluation and assessment beyond the conventional classroom. This offers an equal opportunity for all educational backgrounds to enjoy the same testing benefits and data interpretation.

Pros Summarized

Standardized testing is a widely-debated topic, with many angles to consider. This article has examined a number of proclaimed benefits of this method of evaluation:

• It’s uniform
• It allows for comparison and accountability
• It charts individual progress
• It spans educational options

While there are plenty of advocates for standardized testing, many do not hold the same positive views. Stay tuned for the second half of this discussion! Our follow-up article will examine what critics have to say about the cons of standardized testing.

“Standardized tests don’t care if you’re white or black, short or tall, or even the rate at which you learned the course material. At the end of the day, all it cares about is whether you know what you’re supposed to know. It can’t be cheated, bent, or bargained with.”

Steven Crowder

Did you know this is the first part in a series on the pros and cons of testing? Read part 2 here.

[…] This peek into the positive side of standardized testing can be found here.  […]

[…] of how you feel? Learn more about the pros and cons of standardized testing, and let us know what you […]

[…] the growing issue of “teaching to the test.” Since the No Child Left Behind Act was passed, standardized testing has become…well, a standard. These tests play a big part in determining which schools and […]

[…] the days of the standardized test numbered? Read up on why advocates want to keep standardized testing around and let us know what you […]

[…] Read more: The Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing […]

[…] Pros & Cons of Standardized Testing (& Part 2) […]

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Make a difference. Run for school board.

Free course. Enroll today.

Related Posts

Youth Mental Health Crisis & DEI Online Course Sample

Should Schools Provide Mental Health Services?

Teaching Beyond the Books: Rescuing Students from the Silence of Detached Homes

• DOWNLOADS AND PRINTABLES
• Upcoming Summits
• Recent Summits
• Host A Summit
• KNOW YOUR STATE

RECENT POSTS

• Board’s Guide to Free Speech Course Sample April 12, 2024
• Youth Mental Health Crisis & DEI Online Course Sample April 9, 2024
• Are Your Students Struggling With Mental Health? March 10, 2024
• Should Schools Provide Mental Health Services? February 29, 2024
• Teaching Beyond the Books: Rescuing Students from the Silence of Detached Homes December 8, 2023


 Mailing address: PO Box 962 Bedford, Virginia 24523 USA

Phone: (877) 322-NWEF

Email: [email protected]

© Copyright 2024 | Noah Webster Educational Foundation All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

• Share full article

Advertisement

Harvard Is Bringing Back Standardized Tests. Other Schools Should, Too.

Emi nietfeld didn’t have access to lacrosse or advanced placement classes, but she did have standardized tests..

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions. [MUSIC PLAYING]

My name is Emi Nietfeld, and I am a journalist and the author of Acceptance, a memoir. For the last 15 years of my life, I have thought back to studying for standardized tests with this warm affection. I think that it’s important that standardized tests remain an option for students to submit, because it is one path to college when some of the other paths fail.

The Ivy League universities — they are now changing their tune on standardized testing.

During the pandemic, many colleges dropped the requirement to submit SAT or ACT scores. Then Dartmouth required standardized tests following an analysis that they did that showed that the same students coming from a lower income background who were supposed to benefit from test optional policies were actually being harmed by it.

Harvard University is planning to reinstate standardized test scores for admissions requirements, and it follows some of its peers after a pause caused by the pandemic.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

When I saw the news, I was pretty surprised at first. Because I feel like the zeitgeist has been so anti-standardized tests. For example, students generally do not like taking them, parents complain about how stressful they are, and there are concerns about equity and whether these tests are really fair to students who are coming from different backgrounds, especially because a high score is associated with wealth and with racial privilege.

At the same time, I really liked these tests as a college applicant. I did not have access to a consistent school life, to teachers who could recommend me to extracurriculars that were going to impress colleges. So, really, the one thing that I did have was these standardized tests. And because of that, they were my hope for the future.

When I was nine years old, my parents separated, and that triggered pretty severe mental health issues for both of them. And it also meant that I went into therapy. And pretty quickly, I was diagnosed, I was medicated, and my life fell apart.

I had been a straight-A student. But, suddenly, I was switching between schools, in between these treatment programs. And when I was 14, I was sent to a locked facility, where we didn’t go to school, except for the classroom that was staffed by the Special Education Department.

And every afternoon, we had hours and hours of quiet time where we just had to sit alone in our rooms unless we had earned the privilege to go outside. And on one of those afternoons, I was still stuck in my room. I hadn’t been outside in weeks. And the staff went on an outing to the library.

And so I asked them, hey, could you get me a standardized test prep book? And I was so shocked when they came back, and somebody was like, here, and handed me Barron’s guide to the ACT. I just felt like this beam of light was shining down from heaven on me because, finally, I had something to do. I had a way to pass all that time. And I didn’t have to just feel like, oh, I’m stuck here, falling behind, while all these other people who are richer, and healthier, and get to live in the real world, are taking advanced placement classes and playing field hockey.

For me, and for a lot of people who are in difficult situations, having this objective score to show colleges is something that is available to us. You look at the other parts of the college application like the essay, or teacher recommendations, or even GPA. And all of that stuff is also shaped by what kind of background you’re coming from. And I did not have control over where I went to school or if I could finish out the year at a certain school, but I did have control over being able to study for and take this test.

When I was writing my personal statement, I felt like I would have to show my trauma in order to get in. I worked on drafts of my application while I was sleeping in the back seat of my rusty Toyota Corolla. I was brainstorming it from a homeless shelter, and it was just this incredible emotional weight to have to make myself so vulnerable for colleges. And at least when I was studying for standardized tests, I was able to focus on academics, and I was able to imagine myself as a scholar instead of another vulnerable teenager.

Part of why I really wanted to attend an elite university was that they offered really incredible financial aid, and that was what I got when I went to Harvard. I don’t think standardized tests should be the only metric that colleges use to evaluate applicants — not at all. But I do think that it can be a really important objective metric that can compare different students from different contexts against each other, and I would hate to see that disappear.

• April 26, 2024   •   6:10 Biden, Let the Protests of 1968 Be a Warning
• April 25, 2024   •   8:58 Closing the Gap Between Nature and the Self
• April 24, 2024 Biden’s Deep Miscalculation on Israel and Gaza
• April 18, 2024   •   6:12 After Decades on the Court, I Want a Divided America to Know This
• April 17, 2024 Have Faith in the Trump Trial Jurors
• April 13, 2024   •   5:53 Harvard Is Bringing Back Standardized Tests. Other Schools Should, Too.
• April 11, 2024   •   6:48 As Ramadan Ends, I Resist the Urge to Insulate
• April 10, 2024 How Much of a Threat Is Kennedy to Biden?
• April 8, 2024   •   8:21 Deepfake Porn Sites Used Her Image. She’s Fighting Back.
• April 4, 2024   •   6:11 Corporate America: Employees Need Stability, Not Constant Change
• April 3, 2024   •   4:45 Could Trump Financially Ruin the G.O.P.?
• April 1, 2024 The War in Gaza and the Emerging Rift in American Jewish Life

By Emi Nietfeld

Produced by Kristina Samulewski

Harvard University is among the latest institutions to announce it is reversing its test-optional policy and requiring students to submit test scores in their applications. For the writer Emi Nietfeld, it’s a positive sign. Growing up homeless and in the foster care system, she didn’t have a lot of control over her education or resources that would bolster her college applications. But one thing she did have control over was studying for standardized tests. In this audio essay, Nietfeld explains how Scantron sheets helped her unlock a better life.

(A full transcript of this audio essay will be available on Monday in the audio player above.)

This episode of “The Opinions” was produced by Kristina Samulewski. It was edited by Alison Bruzek and Kaari Pitkin. Mixing by Sonia Herrero. Original music by Isaac Jones and Pat McCusker. Fact-checking by Mary Marge Locker. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .