Whether it’s the SSATs, SATs, ACTs, or anything else, standardized tests are big here in America and other countries. These timed tests test your knowledge in three sections, reading comprehension, math, and vocabulary and have been around since the mid1800s. But are they really doing us any good? Does your future really depend on how many words you can memorize or how fast you can do algebra? Colleges would look at your score and if you didn’t score well, then you could be in trouble and not get into a good college. So standardized tests aren’t good for this country because they don’t improve student achievement and they are certainly not a proper way to judge student performance and intelligence.

Starting from the third grade, students are required to take these hour long tests that assess their knowledge on math, writing, reading, and science. But do these tests really improve academic achievement and development? No they don’t. In 2001 the No Child Left Behind Act was passed in order to fund schools that teach kids in the poorer districts of the nation. But this act has also required all students to take standardized tests. And since this act was passed, student achievement didn’t really improve. In fact, it plummeted. In 2009, the U.S. went down from 18th to 31st place in the math section of the Programme for International Student Assessment. 18th to 31st. Worldwide. There was a very similar drop in science but the reading remains about the same. So as you can see, these hour long tests don’t actually do us any good. In fact, they can hurt us.

Sometimes, that big number on your test is all it takes to get into that dream college. But is really getting a good score on the SAT or ACT really a good measure of student intelligence? I don’t think so. I understand why math is important and reading also, but is a big vocabulary really what it takes to get into that big university? Yes. It could. And not only that but your job as well. In a study conducted in 2014 by a former dean at Bates College, results show that some jobs though not many still ask candidates for SAT scores recent or not. And those with the higher score are more likely to get the job. Yet even though math and reading are important, there are many other traits that could get you that dream job. Logic, patience, willingness to work with others are some qualities you need in so many job and these tests don’t test any of these traits. And not every job has you go do math or read and write papers. So as you are studying for your SAT think about how it will affect your future.

~Francine