Standardized Testing
Nearly every high school student, whether it be their junior or senior year, will take either the SAT or ACT. These tests are required for almost any college admission and once taken can increase a student's odds for scholarship, placement, etc. based on that student's score. These tests are a national standard from which colleges can evaluate a student's academic aptitude regardless of their background or financial situation. However, though standardized testing sounds simple and unbiased, recent research and critics beg to differ. These critics believe that some students can be put at a disadvantage based on available opportunities and language skills. I agree with these critics. I believe colleges in the United States should not base a student's acceptance, scholarship, or placement on standardized testing. These tests are an unfair, inaccurate, and outdated means of testing a student's knowledge, worth, or ability. Because every high school is different there is a great inconsistency between each one's grading systems. Also, every teacher has different teaching abilities and expectations of their students. These issues make it difficult for an admission officer to fairly decipher which students belong at their particular co
Though it was difficult and expensive she was able to attend that school. Apparently her outcomes were not good enough for her top college choices either because she was waitlisted for three of the four colleges she applied to. Also, recent studies have proven that standardized testing is culturally biased and is discriminatory towards disadvantaged students and women. Even the assistant vice president of the Princeton Review ( an SAT preparatory program) admits that " people are finally beginning to realize the incredibly narrow scope of what this test (the SAT) measures. Many students now take preparatory classes for the SAT's to increase their score. The SAT is the most widely taken standardized entrance exam in the United States. , before they decide how much of an asset that student is to their college. The overemphasis on these tests has distorted admissions around the country from what really matters about a student. SAT's are also flawed in the kind of knowledge they examine. She took the SAT at the conclusion of her junior year. " I believe college admissions officers should take the time to explore the whole student, their curriculum, their grade progression, their extracurricular activities, their family background, financial situation, etc. Schools and districts that are better funded also tend to have higher scores due to the fact that they can afford to purchase more test-prep materials. Sorry to say she did not score as highly as she had hoped. The officer would have to delve into the lives of each applicant to get a full picture of what that student has really accomplished during their high school career and whether they would fit in at that college. A very close friend of mine shared in this devastating experience.
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Acceptance Essays
