Standardized Testing Is Inaccurate
Everyday we go to school, learn about something, take tests, then get graded and given a number. And that number carries along with you throughout your whole life. A number that describes your test scores. A number that emphasizes your SAT scores. A number that determines your college. A number that depicts your whole future? Surely something like a test has to be important to describe one’s ability; although you may want to think twice about standardized testing. Standardized testing shouldn’t be taken seriously, because it’s inaccurate by not measure your capabilities and personality; therefore making it an unreliable measure of the student’s performances.
A standardized test is a test that is given to students in a very consistent manner; meaning that the questions on the test are all the same, the time given to each student is the same, and the way in which the test is scored is the same for all students (Burrows). It is used to compare the scores from one another. Originating from 207 BC to modern day today. “Starting in Imperial China, standardized testing used to be used in a rudimentary form to determine one’s eligibility for positions in the government of the ruling class. In the early 20th century, Alfred Binet developed the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test, which later became the infamous IQ test. Throughout World War I, the military used Army Mental Tests to determine the best positions for new recruits. And in 1936, IBM developed a system of automating test scores by scanning bubbled-in answers” (The Room 241 Team). There is no doubt that we’ve been using standardized testing for a long time, and we still do, yet it has not evolved nor has it changed very much. The only thing that has changed is that it’s used for different purposes now.
The reason why standardized testing is inaccurate is because; it doesn’t measure a student's capabilities as most standardized testings are multiple choice. Meaning that if a student can guess on a multiple choice question, they would have a 25% chance of getting it correct, but if they narrow it down more they’ll just have a better chance of getting the correct answer even if they didn’t know the answer; making the system retain some luck based results. With multiple choice questions, there’s not much critical thinking done causing inaccurate results. “According to late education researcher Gerald W. Bracey, PhD, qualities that standardized tests cannot measure include 'creativity, critical thinking, resilience, motivation, persistence, curiosity, endurance, reliability, enthusiasm, empathy, self-awareness, self-discipline, leadership, civic-mindedness, courage, compassion, resourcefulness, sense of beauty, sense of wonder, honesty, integrity'’ ('Is the Use of Standardized'). Also with the fact that machines grading the test, makes multiple choice questions more reliable rather than critical thinking questions. However, open ended questions allows students to think more, express their knowledge about the topic, and be more creative.
Standardized testing doesn’t represent a student’s personalities, because it doesn’t take into consideration of the student’s interest. Someone could have an interest in band, art, or journalism, but what good would taking a test in other subjects like math do for their career? They wouldn’t benefit from other subjects that don’t go hand and hand with their hobbies. A 16 year old once wrote, “These tests strip you of your identity and you suddenly become a barcode. None of your achievements or ambitions in life matter, and these tests don’t measure your personality. The people who grade these have no idea who you are as an individual, and what you are capable of” (Klodell). Also there’s talk about teachers “teaching to the test” meaning that they only teach their students about what’s going to be on the test and not incorporating creativity and engagement while learning. Students should have the option to take the classes they want related to their career. With the ability to choose what classes they’re able to take; students are able to stress less on test that have little effects on their career and enjoy more time with their interest.
In Contrast, people would disagree with these arguments, because standardized testing provides data for improvements. In Bryan’s blog, he states that, “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”’ (Nixon). He clarifies how standardized testing can be useful and when it’s harmful.
Standardized testing shouldn’t be a way to judge a student’s performances’, because it doesn’t accurately measure what they’re capable of or interests.
