Standardized Testing Does Not Determine Intelligence | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Standardized Testing Does Not Determine Intelligence

A test score does not measure the most important aspects of a students intelligence.

6411
Standardized Testing Does Not Determine Intelligence
Huffington Post

Everyone learns differently, whether in a classroom or work environment. Some people learn through hands-on exercises, others from reading to themselves, and some in group settings while others prefer to work alone. People also vary in how they perform. Some are good test takers, others are not. Good test takers don’t even need to study for a test and they get an A, simply because they are good at it. If you are like me, tests are your worst nightmare. I would much rather write a paper, or present to a classroom than take a test. The school system does not account for these differences. Standardized testing is viewed as a way to measure knowledge of content and intelligence. However, I think standardized testing should not determine intelligence.

1. Standardized testing sets certain students up to fail.

Most standardized tests are timed, which is unfair for each individual student. Some students read faster and think faster than others, and it harms slower readers. Being a slow reader does not mean they do not know the information, it just takes them longer to read a question than others and it hurts them. The slow readers miss 10 questions on the test, simply because of lack of time. If these students did not have a time limit, they could have had the possibility to score higher on the test and answer questions they ran out of time on. Why exactly is there a time limit for each content section? Because testing providers want there to be a fluctuation in students. It is not meant for every student to have an equal opportunity to pass or score higher. They want certain students to excel and some to fail.

2. The same test is distributed across the United States.

Although this is a great idea in theory, it is not practical. Not every school district has the same resources, staff, and material. Depending on the location of the school, funding makes a big difference. A school in an inner-city downtown area will not have the same education and resources as a school in the suburbs. Naturally students who live in nicer areas have a better chance of scoring higher on these tests compared to students who live in the inner-city. Every student should be able to have an equal opportunity to succeed.

3. Tests do not measure other activities.

A test score portrays knowledge in math, English, science and social studies. However, students have so much more to bring to the table. Tests cannot measure passion, creativity, work ethic, personalities, skills, and talent and the list could continue.Tests are supposed to determine intelligence, but simply only knowing the core subjects would not make one intelligent. Intelligence includes a lot of aspects a test cannot measure.

Standardized testing takes up almost 40 percent of a child’s education. Teachers have to spend more time teaching students material on the test, and how to take a standardized test instead of teaching other important topics. People get upset that art and theater are being taken away from schools, and it hurts students in the long run. Taking away so many standardized tests would allow more time for art and theater classes. Even teachers are evaluated almost 50 percent based on a test score. A test score also does not include that a student went to bed hungry that night and came to school without any food, and the student comes to school at 8 a.m. starting off by taking a test. Outside factors can influence student outcomes on tests. Standardized testing is slowly hurting the school system, and should not be such a prevalent evaluation tool.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

179418
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

6549
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

452025
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

23034
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments