Standardized tests

1. What is an example of a standardized test?
2. What is the purpose of a standardized test?
3. What is a standardized test in education?
4. Why standardized tests are bad?

What is an example of a standardized test?

Standardized tests are often used to select students for specific programs. For example, the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) and ACT (American College Test) are norm-referenced tests used to help determine if high school students are admitted to selective colleges.

What is the purpose of a standardized test?

At their core, standardized exams are designed to be objective measures. They assess students based on a similar set of questions, are given under nearly identical testing conditions, and are graded by a machine or blind reviewer. They are intended to provide an accurate, unfiltered measure of what a student knows.

What is a standardized test in education?

Standardized tests are scientifically normed and machine-graded instruments administered to students and adults under controlled conditions to assess capabilities, including knowledge, cognitive skills and abilities, and aptitude.

Why standardized tests are bad?

If a student performs poorly on a standardized test, they can face increased pressure from their parents and peers to do better and be “smarter.” This can lead to students resenting learning and believing that they are worse than everyone else because of their low score.