Standardized Tests Measure Student Achievement

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Standardized Tests are known globally, as they are used for recording data of the students’ knowledge. The two most known standardized tests are in fact, the American College Test (ACT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). This concept of testing conducted to present progress and achievement by not only teachers, but students as well, was established in the early 1900s. Many administrations believe that standardized tests measure student achievement. However, many people agree that it does not. Standardized tests do not measure student achievement effectively because the results by the tests are limited, the students do not properly assess, and the tests foresee consequential futures. The results from the test are very limited with data. Daniel Koretz states, “Even in assessing the goals that can be measured well, tests are generally very small samples of behavior that we use to make estimates of students’ mastery of very large domains of knowledge and …show more content…
These tests have time limitations and many students are forced to seek answers quick, even if it is not the correct one. They are told to guess on an answer, even if they do not know it. This gives students no concept of critical thinking and problem solving skills that would be essential to life; the students just drive straight to guessing with little time left. If everyone student is guessing, this gives the states false data.
Finally, these tests can cause students their future. In the Gale article it states, “Many states now have strict rules about who qualifies to receive a high school diploma primarily by the scores on a standardized test of achievement.” The states and their administrations get to choose what information is important enough to be on the test. Furthermore, these students may not get accepted into a college just because they did not score high on a mandatory test, instead of having their grades and GPA