By Lily McInerney
Standardized tests, specifically the SAT and ACT, result in high stress levels for current juniors at IHS. The time crunch for sections, larger implications for the future, financial issues, and high expectations are constant stress factors, to name a few.
The constant, stressed-induced battle of picking A,B,C, or D off a sheet of paper messes with students’ perception of their own capabilities. Students battle back and forth with A or B, C or D as if placing a comma in a sentence incorrectly will forever ruin their hopes and dreams.
“I went into the [testing] room knowing that I had studied a lot. I walked in there confident that I would get a good enough score so I wouldn’t have to take it again. There’s something about the atmosphere that’s easy to get caught up in. I was always watching the clock. It’s hard not to feel the pressure of the test,” said Ella Roth, junior.
Many students agree that the atmosphere and immense expectations that they themselves and their parents hold for them negatively cloud their potential while taking these tests.
“Students are definitely anxious about the SAT and the ACT and what it means for their college. I try to stress to some of the kids that college is important and your college pick is important, but it’s not the end all be all. I think it stems from the expectations. Everyone’s expected to go one way, and it’s not for everybody,” said Ms. Sabia, school psychologist.
Many students and parents also take issue with the disadvantages that lower income families face.
“Show colleges you’re ready,” proclaims The College Board. Ready for what? More money taken out of our bank accounts?
“If you don’t have the money to learn how to take the test you’re at a huge disadvantage compared to those who can afford to learn how to take the test. It’s becoming more about people knowing how to take the test, not necessarily knowing the topics on the test,” said Annelies Parke, senior.
“I didn’t have a tutor and I used Khan Academy. I do think that I’m at a disadvantage because I don’t know all the strategies for quickly understanding the answers to questions. I feel like that’s something that people with tutors can benefit from. I’m sure that people who can’t afford tutors are at a disadvantage in that way,” said Margot Gordinier, junior.
“People definitely take these tests more than once to get the score that they want. That’s money going to the college board for literally no reason. People who can’t pay for tutors are at such a disadvantage for no reason,” said Skylar Sloane, senior.
Many students also feel that the test does not accurately represents their intelligence, causing them more stress.
“I personally don’t think that the SAT or ACT is a good indicator of one’s knowledge and how prepared they are for the future. There are many ways to get around the SAT or ACT once you learn how to take the test. I don’t think it’s a valuable test,” said Parke.
As a result of all these cumulative stresses, many colleges are becoming test optional schools that do not require applicants to take the SAT or ACT. Some colleges taking the plunge are University of Chicago, Bowdoin College, Bates College, Wesleyan College, and more.
“Bates has been a national leader in the test-optional movement for three decades,” their web site proclaims.
“More and more colleges are doing away with [testing] which I think is a good step. This education system is a little flawed,” said Parke.
