As I stated in my previous post, there are some pros to standardized tests. Before I begin, I do not want anyone to think that I am 100% knocking standardized tests. I believe there are some pros, however, I believe that the cons out way the pros. We will talk about the cons in a later post. As for today, we are going to talk about the pros. After doing some research, I found a few pros that I wanted to talk about. The first one is the fact that the multiple-choice format used on standardized test produces accurate information necessary to assess and improve American schools. “According to the Center for Teaching Excellence at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, multiple-choice questions can provide “highly reliable test scores” and an “objective measurement of student achievement.” Also, the Center for Public Education, a national public school advocacy group, says “many multiple-choice tests now require considerable thought, even notes and calculations, before choosing a bubble.” I agree with this to some extent. I do like multiple choice questions, except for when you are given two answers that could both be right. This causes you to not know which one to choose, then the next thing you know you have spent 20 minutes on one question. Multiple-choice is better for teachers, because they can use a machine to score the tests instead of having to sit there and read every question and then the answer you wrote. The other pro that I want to talk about is that stricter standards and increased testing are better preparing students for college. Many people believe that the more standardized tests that are given, the more prepared students will be for college. I do agree that High School students need to understand how to do certain things before entering college, but I do not feel as if a standardized test is going to prepare someone for college. There will always be a battle between whether standardized tests are good or bad. Continue to read my blog to find out more information on standardized tests. Until next week.

-K

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.

I am sure everyone is familiar with what a Standardized Test is. In case you don’t know, I will help you out. A Standardized Test is any form of test that requires test takers to answer the same questions. Crazy right? Every student has to take these certain Standardized tests to determine if they can receive scholarships for college. Now, tell me how that is fair to the students who work really hard during the school year? I will answer it for you, it is not fair. When students take these tests, they are worried that if they do not score good, then that means that they are not smart. When I was in High school I took the ACT 5 different times. I only did this because if you scored high on it, then you would receive scholarships for college; and everyone wants scholarships. All throughout High School I maintained a 4.0 GPA. However, each time I took the ACT I made the same score everytime… a 19. I was devastated and disappointed in myself. I thought to myself and tried to make sense of it. I thought, “If I have a 4.0 GPA how am I making only a 19 on the ACT?” The ACT destroyed my confidence that I had in myself. I truly believe that Standardized Tests serve no purpose. Now, this is my opinion and everyone is entitled to their opinion. As my blog continues, I will write about all of the pros and cons that come with taking Standardized Tests. Hopefully my blog can help out anyone who is struggling with the pressure that comes with these tests. Until next time.

– Katelyn

Hi! Welcome to my very first blog post! My name is Katelyn Holley and i’m so excited and nervous about this blog. This is my first time creating a blog so it might take me a minute to get the hang of things. My blog is going to be about the pros and cons of standardized tests. I will post once a week about my topic. My posts will be opinionated, but there will also be facts included in them. I wanted to start this blog in hopes of helping people realize how standardized tests can help you.. and how they can hurt you. Stay tuned for more posts and I hope you enjoy!