Standardized tests, such as the SAT and the PSAT, are given to large numbers of students all across the country each year. For the class of 2023 alone, around 1.9 million students took the spring SAT. There isn’t truly a way of knowing how that test went for those students, but it is a fact that some did much worse than others. However, that class of students, as well as past and future classes, should not have had to take the SAT. Standardized tests have long been a staple of the education system, but it’s time to reconsider their role in our schools. These tests often fail to capture the true abilities and potential of students, reducing their diverse talents and skills to a single score. This narrow focus on test performance can stifle creativity and critical thinking which are crucial for success in the real world.

Moreover, the pressure of standardized testing can lead to significant stress and anxiety among students. Stress and anxiety are fostered through the long amounts of time and effort dedicated to studying for these tests, and all of that stress can distract from other important tasks, such as normal classes in school and relationships with friends and family. Also, this high-stakes environment can detract from the joy of learning and discourage students from pursuing subjects that they are passionate about. Instead of fostering a love for education, standardized tests often turn learning into a race for grades, undermining the holistic development of young minds.

Additionally, standardized tests can perpetuate inequality. Students from underprivileged backgrounds may not have access to the same resources and support as their peers, putting them at a disadvantage. This can result in a biased measure of academic ability that does not accurately reflect a student’s potential or effort. By moving away from standardized tests, schools can adopt more inclusive and comprehensive methods of assessment that truly reflect the diverse strengths of all students.

Another point to bring to light: the fact that some students struggle more with standardized tests than others. Even with studying for as long as humanly possible, tests such as the SAT can still be incredibly difficult for some students. The way that the SAT is set up, building off of one’s correct answers, either increasing or decreasing in difficulty, can be quite challenging for some, thus causing some students to get worse scores overall. The formatting of these tests sways test scores and can ruin those scores for those students, even though they spent a large amount of time studying.