Standardized testing refers to the administration and scoring (marking) of both theoretical and practical tests based on pre-determined standards or pre-established and reliable protocols. The scholarly body subdivides standard testing techniques into two similar, but distinct modules: criterion-referenced and the norm-referenced tests. The former module compares the student’s test scores to a pre-determined and pre-established criterion, for example, the school curriculum. The latter module compares the student’s test scores to the normative sample, for example, a representative sample (Secolsky, 2012). This paper seeks to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of standardized testing. It will achieve this by describing the advantages and disadvantages of standardized testing for both students and teachers. Research shows that standardized testing instruments are reliable and dependable, meaning that there are several advantages linked to the use of standardized tests in schools for both teachers and students (Nelson, Palonsky, & McCarthy, 2010). Firstly, the standardized testing instruments yield students’ tests results that provide teachers with quantifiable data and information, including learners’ scores and proficiency, among other aspects. …show more content…
In respect of the strengths, the paper identified several advantages of the standard testing methods on students, which eventually promote the learning experience. In addition, the advantages allow teachers to evaluate the consistency and progress of students. Finally, the paper evaluated numerous weaknesses of standardized tests for both educators and learners. Among the disadvantages is their nonspecific nature, their failure to adhere to teaching provisions, their failure to provide educators with relevant learner information, the not continuous assessments, and their emphasis on