Standardized tests have been apart of students’ academic lives for over 50 years. Though today, their roles have become more significant and have a greater role in college acceptances. The College Entrance Examination Board was established to administer and expand education through the SAT and the ACT, both of which are the most well-known tests used in the college admission process. Universities should not require these test scores on student applications as they are not true testaments of an applicant’s academic abilities. SAT scores are directly correlated to financial income. The National Center for Fair & Open Testing along with College Board calculated in 2014 students in each income bracket scored higher than lower income bracket students on every section. Therefore, students who are wealthy and able to afford tutoring and outside help have an unfair advantage against those who cannot.
Students who do not do well on these entrance exams will be hurt in the long run. Not scoring high enough may lead to a student not being accepted into a top university. Therefore, without a degree from a competitive school or it’s connections they may not be able to get their dream job or a great job straight out of college. Without getting a job they might lose sight of their initial dreams and goals. This could lead them down a bad path in life or all together force them to have to change intended career paths. In the end, this may lead to mental health problems or diminished self-esteem.
Lastly, the amount of stress and anxiety students are put through because of a simple test is tremendous. How do we expect our students to study for months possibly even years for a single test which determines the next four years of their life? These poor students are already going through the emotional rollercoaster of high school, they have an entire full semester of academic classes on top of studying for these tests, and many are probably already dealing with other issues socially or in their homes. It is unnecessary effort, time, and stress that they are put through for many months to years. Not to mention, many families are forced to pay the financial burden that comes along with the test. Paying for tutors, books, study tools, and the test itself. We are putting these young children in more harm than good when this can be solved by simply doing away with a simple test.
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