How much is a test worth?
Today’s high school seniors face many challenges when applying to colleges.
More pressure is being put on students to go to college and get a degree due to the changes in the work force. This increases the number of students applying for college, thus creating more competition.
One of the biggest challenges students face is scoring high on standardized tests, such as the ACT and the SAT. Scores on these tests play a huge part in deciding which schools a student can or cannot attend.
Colleges put too much stock in standardized test scores because not all students have the ability to test well, tests cannot predict how successful a student will be, and the results are not really standardized since these tests can be learned through paid practices, such as coaching.
Some students work hard for four years to keep their grade point average (GPA) high. They participate in extracurricular activities. They achieve leadership roles in important clubs. They strive to become well-rounded students.
However, they may be lacking in one important area. They may not have the ability to take and score well on a standardized test. Even the brightest student who maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA may struggle to perform well in the pressured environment that comes with taking the ACT or SAT.
Basic knowledge can easily fly out the window when a student gets nervous, knowing he only has a certain amount of time to complete each section. Many students suffer from test anxiety, a psychological condition that causes a person to become so distressed before and during a test that he performs poorly on the test.
Just knowing that their future college choices rely on how well they perform on this test may cause many students to suffer from test anxiety.
There is no test that can predict whether a student is ready for college or whether a student will be successful once he gets there. High school grades are the best indicator of how a student will do in college. Many colleges have decided to make the submission of standardized test scores optional, and these colleges have found those who did not submit their test scores performed better in college than those who did submit their test scores.
Finally, there is the issue of whether or not these tests really offer colleges standardized ways of comparing students from different high schools. There are many online study programs, study guides and tutoring programs available, which promise to raise a student’s standardized test score.
This removes an element of standardization, since a college is unable to determine by looking at the test score who has taken advantage of these options and who has not. There are many students who cannot afford these pricey options to ensure a higher test score, which puts them at an obvious disadvantage to those who can.
Making good grades during four years of high school with a well-rounded mixture of extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and a genuine desire to learn are much more important than a score on a four-hour test. Colleges should put less stock in standardized test scores and focus more on each individual student.
Cindy Prince, Russellville
