Ahmed 1
Saniyya Urooj Ahmed
Seema Mehrotra
Writing 101 – AB
27 November 2018
A Fair Perspective
What is more stressful than a standardized test? For most students heading to college, there probably is not anything that comes close to that hurdle. In fact, since the mid-1800s, standardized tests have been an integral part of education in the United States. Their use skyrocketed in 2002 when the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) mandated annual testing in all 50 states. Most standardized tests are comprised of multiple-choice questions that are graded by automatic machines and some have writing based questions that require a human grader. But why? Why must we take these tedious exams? It is likely due to the fact that they are often required for college applications. But many argue as to whether or not this is fair? Using standardized test scores for entrance into universities is a fair condition because they provide equality to all parties, have consistent rules, and are based on logic.
A major aspect of fairness is equality. The word "standardize" literally means to equalize or make consistent. This means that standardized tests are formulated in such a way that the questions are equivalent and similar for all test takers. Also, there are no restrictions for who can register or take the test. Even if you have a difficult financial situation, there are many free resources such as Khan Academy that can help you study and others that can help you pay for the testing fee itself. Over half of students nationwide are eligible for an SAT fee waiver…In Connecticut, Illinois and more than 20 other states, the ACT or SAT is given, without charge, during school hours (Dynarski). Multiple attempts and personally selecting test scores to be sent to colleges are options as well. All of these alternatives provide equal assessment for students which define a fair condition.
The College Board (administrator of the SATs) regularly enhances the security of the SAT to ensure valid, reliable scores are delivered to colleges and universities, and to protect each student's opportunity to demonstrate their abilities on a fair and level playing field (CollegeBoard). They make sure the examination follows a set of rules regarding the format, time, and formulation of questions based on common core subjects that all students have taken throughout their schooling years. No resource is hidden from the student since the formats and questions are open to the public. Even doing a quick Google search, can give you a variety of options for practice and further information. Finally, when it comes to taking the exam itself, school systems adhere to all written regulations and procedures for administering the exam which includes the collection of test materials, test security and use of test results. These rules are to ensure that the test is fairly given and taken in the testing center.
Finally, the logic behind the standardized tests is simple. First of all, preparing for them helps you attain effective study habits, time-management skills, and how to essentially self-study. Students who experience multiple cycles of studying material, making judgments about their ongoing learning, and taking a test exhibit improved judgment accuracy over cycles… One of the most direct ways in which tests promote learning is by motivating students to study (Benjamin, Pashler). If I had to point out one key difference between high school and university, it is that university classes require you to self-study. In high school, the teachers are running after you to remind you to complete your assignments, but in university, it is the exact opposite, you are responsible for all your tasks and you need to be able to manage by yourself. What better way than having to study for something that is not part of the school curriculum? When you get into college, there will be tests similar if not even more daunting than the standardized tests. So getting high scores on them in a way shows colleges that you are prepared to handle their courses. It is fair of them to want to know whether or not you will be able to survive in their university and that is why it is a condition.
Some may argue that high scores on standardized tests is not a fair condition for entrance into universities, because the test is an accurate representation of intelligence and is too high-stakes. This is a false assumption because 93% of studies on student testing, including the use of large-scale and high-stakes standardized tests, found a "positive effect" on student achievement (Phelps). The point of these scores being included in the application process is not to judge the intelligence of the applicant. The point is to have a fair condition for anyone to gain entrance into universities. Besides, have you ever realized how many applicants colleges have to sift through? At the University of California alone, more than 100,000 people applied for just the undergraduate fall 2017 semester. The high scores on the standardized tests are given as a requirement so that it is easier for college admission councils to evaluate all incoming applicants on an even and fair playing field. The standardized tests are not high stakes either because colleges look not only at your test scores but your GPA and grades over the past four years of high school. The reason they do not only base your application on those high school grades is that there are often discrepancies amongst school curriculums, making it an inaccurate representation when compared to other applicants. But the fact that it spans over four years can help them determine your work ethic and consistency, which is why it is also included in the decision making process. Thus, unlike popular belief, including standardized test scores in the university admission process is a fair condition since it is not the only factor.
Many people still find the standardized tests daunting, because they believe it will make or break their college application. Why should they believe that is true? Standardized tests are not the enemy here. They are no different from any other test that you would have to study for. In many cases they are less stressful since they can be taken more than once, all sorts of resources are available for any type of financial situation, and are made sure to be properly administered by the testing center. Standardized test scores for entrance into universities is a fair condition because they provide equality for all parties taking the test, have consistent rules when administering the tests, and are based on logic benefitting both students and college admission councils. It is difficult to define an abstract idea such as fairness but sometimes all it takes to comprehend is an analogy. Suppose you were making rules for a diverse village. You set up your law code and realized some people were unhappy. "That is unfair," they cried. What would you do? Would you change the rules to accommodate that small faction or would you stick to the guidelines because it grants everyone fair opportunities? Compare this to the dilemma of standardized tests and college admission. There may be cases that claim this condition to be unfair, but for the general populous it is fair and they do follow it. I think that is one perspective to understand this side of the argument.