The Pros And Cons Of Standardized Testing

Standardized testing was created as a measuring system to compare individual student’s skill level to a large group quickly. Standardized tests can date back as far as the 1800’s. Almost one-hundred years later, a psychologist, Alfred Binet developed a skill test that spread into both school and military testing. Thirty years later, the popular SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) was created and accepted by universities to gain entrance into the school (Fletcher). While standardized tests do give a baseline of knowledge quickly, it does not accurately measure a student’s full knowledge and takes away from class time learning. Furthermore, standardized testing affects not only the students but teachers job as well. The hours’ students spend learning in the classroom are being diminished for time spent on standardized testing. From grade levels one to twelve, hours of instruction time are instead being used for standardized testing purposes. There is no data that supports exactly

Unfortunately, not everyone gets the score they were hoping for though. However, students do have an option to retake the exam, but it costs money every time. According to ACT’s online website it costs forty-two dollars just to take the exam without writing, but the ACT with writing is an additional sixteen dollars (Fees). For people who choose to retake the exam the cost can add up quickly. Thus, causing some students not even able to afford the prices to try to increase their score. Furthermore, just retaking in exam sometimes is not enough to raise a student’s score. In many situations, teenagers go to tutors or take an extra class to help prepare. Other options are online programs or books that contain study problems with answers. However, those are costly as well. For students that do not have a lot of money this could be a problem and result in them being stuck with the first score they