To Test or Not to Test? A Student’s Opinion
It’s 7:30 a.m. The clock is ticking – and so are pencils as they tap on wooden desks. A cramped classroom holds dozens of students, some of whom have driven hours to take the exam facing them.
Behold, a scene nearly every high school upperclassman knows all too well – standardized test day.
Yet a question comes begging to mind: As college admissions evolve, how heavily should students prioritize standardized testing – or should they be testing at all?
As a junior at Miramonte High School, I struggled to answer this question. I am lucky enough to have taken the SAT only once before feeling satisfied with my score, and I acknowledge the benefits gained from my experience.
Indeed, standardized tests can combat transcript discrepancies, especially if a student received a low grade in a class but demonstrated elevated proficiency in that portion of the SAT or ACT.
College counselors, including Jack Tien, head of C2 Education, a company offering test prep, GPA management, and college counseling to high school students, cite benefits extending beyond applications.
“Research has indicated that standardized test scores predict college grades, graduation rates and post-college success,” said Tien.
But arguments against standardized testing highlight flaws in equitably measuring academic profiles.
“The SAT and ACT contain questions dissimilar to those on a regular test,” said Miramonte senior Ashley Dong.
Students usually improve scores via hyper-specific preparation, impractical for those lacking monetary resources or working a job.
Additionally, standardized testing expects all students to perform under a uniform time limit. “Intelligence shouldn’t be timed – it might take someone longer than another to obtain the same correct answer,” said junior Grace Wood.
Most concerning is that pursuit of a “perfect score” can presage a vicious cycle of tutoring and testing. Some students have tested up to four or five times, in hopes of attaining a super score.
“Studying for the SAT diverted my time and energy away from school academics and summer program applications,” said senior Mika Strickler.
Amid the pandemic, many colleges suspended test requirements.
“Students couldn’t even sit for tests because the world was shut down, so colleges were essentially forced to put this requirement on hold,” said Miramonte College and Career Director Stephanie Brady.
Since then, the UC’s and Cal State colleges have gone completely test-blind.
But recent data reflects a trend among some prestigious universities to return to mandatory tests. This fall, Yale will again require standardized test scores.
So, the debate continues – should students feel obligated to test?
Ultimately, standardized testing reflects only one facet of an expansive academic record. Obsessing over an enumerated score can ignore other aspects of an application, including GPA and extracurriculars, and (more broadly) corrode mental health.
Individual preference should always trump peer pressure.
This fall, I’ll be clicking that Submit Test Score button – not because it measures my academic or personal worth, but simply because I believe it benefits my application.
“Think about what you do with your time,” said Brady. “Get curious. Pursue your interests. Help your community. This is your story – not about how you took the SAT, but about what you’re inputting into the world.”
