Standardized Tests: The Benefits and Impacts of Implementing Standardized Tests
A standardized test is any type of test in which all test takers must address the same questions or subset of questions from a shared pool. Standardized testing creates a baseline for measuring student performance among districts, maintains teacher responsibility, and aids educators while developing their curriculum
The Need for Standardized Tests
When assessing student comprehension or competency in a particular subject area, a given teacher may use a variety of methods. Given the subjective nature of individual teacher and district assessments, standardized tests allow for less probability of subjective bias when scoring responses. To complete exam questions for these types of tests, the time allotment is the same for each student, and the use of multiple-choice or true-false problems increases the chance of neutral and accurate outcomes.
In the United States, standardized testing begins in elementary (primary) school. For roughly half of the nation, a Kindergarten competency test is mandatory. Students frequently take the ACT or SAT while applying to universities. Individuals take the LSAT when applying to law school and the MCAT if they are applying to medical school.
The following are reasons why standardized tests are prevalent in United States school systems:
- Assessing data and performing quantitative analysis of that data are both design goals for standardized assessment exams. This enables schools to benchmark and evaluate their students' performance against the representative sample used in the standardization process using the final published assessments.
- A child’s standardized test scores could help teachers decide how to address knowledge gaps in a particular subject.
- School administrators can also use test scores to figure out if specific teachers need more training. If some classes are underperforming relative to state standards, more teacher training may need to be completed.
Benefits of Standardized Tests
Since the middle of the nineteenth century, standardized examinations have been used in the United States to measure student achievement.
Standardized testing can:
1. Establish a universal educational standard.
The objective of standardized is to set a baseline for comparison. Any form of assessment outside of school curricula, which might vary considerably within different education departments, can help a school system compare students from varied backgrounds because all the students took the same test. It becomes easier to evaluate and score individuals when they are measured against a common standard.
2. Demonstrate student progress.
Standardized exams can show student improvement over time by taking the same tests over time. In addition, student test scores can also be easily compared to each other to show changes in progress.
3. Ensure that all educational stakeholders are held accountable.
Ideally, standardized exams assist in defining bigger academic standards for schools across states and the nation. By measuring student achievement, standardized exams can also inform educational policies. School principals and governments are aware that if students in a specific school or district are struggling to achieve at a grade level, the school administration and community stakeholders should intervene and offer help.
Negative Impacts of Standardized Testing
1. Standardized testing can be predictable.
Students who are mindful of patterns can guess answers on a standardized exam based on questions where they definitely know the answers. Thus, high exam results aren't always indicative of student comprehension. According to Brookings, up to 80% of test score gains might have little to do with long-term learning improvements.
2. Standardized testing doesn’t measure intelligence.
While advocates claim that standardized examinations give an objective assessment of student success, the facts are more nuanced. Evidence reveals that socioeconomic class, rather than schooling or grade level, is the biggest predictor of SAT achievement. Opponents of the SAT contend that injustice emerges because wealthier families have the money and effort to invest in test practice tools and services.
3. Standardized testing may have a negative impact on a student's self-esteem.
Another allegation is that standardized testing could make previously successful students doubt themselves and their abilities. Many students suffer from test anxiety, which means they don't perform at their best while taking an exam since the experience of taking a test is so upsetting to them.
4. The curriculum is narrowed through standardized testing.
Between 2001 and 2007, school systems in the United States cut the average time spent on social studies, creative subjects, and science by more than 40%, according to the Center for Education Policy. Consequently, the average student lost more than 2 hours of teaching time in these disciplines to focus on standardized exam topics like reading and arithmetic.
In Conclusion
Standardized testing has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Nevertheless, these assessments allow educators to compare student knowledge to identify learning gaps. It is important to note that even if a student has an in-depth understanding of a particular course, not every student may perform well on a test. However, knowing a lot about a subject can help anyone be a more knowledgeable and prepared exam taker.
