Standardized testing has many impacts on students’ education, but there is lots of controversy over whether it is important. Standardized testing is meant to measure a student’s knowledge with three types of assessments, achievement, aptitude, and diagnostic. These tests can be used as an indicator for colleges but can also interfere with normal school activities and home life. 

Freshman Thien-linh Nguyen said studying for the tests and doing homework for regular classes takes up a lot of time at home.

“When an important exam like the EOC comes up, I have to spend time studying for that and working on assignments in my classes,” Nguyen said. “I usually get less sleep and time to do things I enjoy when doing this.” 

Freshman Emily Marshall said she’s not a fan of the newly instituted progress monitoring tests required by the state.

“I feel that your grades in a class that you’re taking should show progress,” Marshall said. “You shouldn’t have to go and take a 90-minute assessment on it when you have a teacher you see every day and they see if you’re learning.”

Standardized testing evaluates your understanding of a subject based on an exam. Thien-linh Nguyen said this only determines how good you are at taking a test and isn’t a good way to show progress in a subject.

“Testing is an important part of college admissions,” Nguyen said. “But it only determines your knowledge through taking a single test.”

Marshall called some forms of standardized testing OK because they are a good way to gain college credit and have better chances with college admission.

“For AP classes and SATs, I understand because SATs help with college admissions and AP classes show your mastery of the course,” Marshall said.

By Sarah McCray