Standardized Tests Essay

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Ever since around the 1920s, schools have utilized test such as the SAT or the ACT to measure intelligence. These test were given to compare how one school competes against other schools for a national test average. Even today, they are used nationwide to measure growth.A popular question has arisen throughout our country. Just how accurate are these test anyways? Many people think that these tests are not very effective in determining an individual’s intelligence as well as other methods. So, how do these tests examine one’s own academic abilities? Firstly, we should discuss the topics covered in these standardized test. They usually consist of academic subjects. Ever high school test over the same subjects. Which sounds like a bad thing ,but this is what makes these exams function as well as they do. After the results are in, the schools can compare the scores to improve on their own shortcomings. These exams demonstrate well, how much the teachers have been teaching the correct criteria. Without these tests,teachers could teach their students material that was not of much academic importance.The test format is another key fundamental of these test to consider. According to Princeton,”The multiple choice format used on standardized test produces accurate information necessary to assess and improve schools”(Princeton,standardized tests.procon.org) To fix a problem, that problem has to be demonstrated in a visible fashion for others to look upon it. After this, the problem is dealt with. This includes academic problems too. If they can see why that student is having problems in that subject ,helping the individual becomes a whole lot simpler. Additionally, overtime these scores will improve education quality for millions of kids nationwide. Making America more educated as a whole. Take china for example; “originally a farming county ,but it now is the most educated country in the world. Standardized testing allows worldwide comparisons of intellect like never before”(TIME magazine,Dan Fletcher). Additionally, some think their child is just not good …show more content…
Also, these tests have greatly narrowed the curriculum. This has caused schools to cut funding for many important programs involving fine arts. Also, schools focus less on science and history. Math and english get all the focus in the classroom. Leaving the children in these learning environments deprived of an overall education. Additionally, these tests are actually a little biased according to studies. Apparently, males are more likely to get the right answer on multiple choice tests than females. Men adapt more easily to the game-like point scoring that is multiple choice test. Lastly, the number one academic country in the world does not use standardized testing to compare schools to others. They use assessments that encourage students to be good at problem solving situations. These tests have been around since the 1920s ,and most likely will be around for a long time to come. These tests may have some shortcomings ,but they are for the most part accurate. Although, the format makes the test a little biased(the multiple choice format); these exams are relatively fair for the most part. These tests are important to measure intelligence ,but they don’t measure creativity very well. These tests are the most effective tool in our current education system’s disposal. Hopefully something better will come around ,but I doubt

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