Standardized Testing : Measure only a small portion of the curriculum that makes education meaningful.
Just like any form of test, standardized testing is a form of test that requires all test takers to answer the same questions in the same manner. The scoring of the tests is also done in a consistent or standard manner. This pattern of testing makes it possible to compare the relative performance of individual students.
Traditionally standardized testing was presented on paper and was performed using pencils. In recent years the method of the test takes place on computers connected to online programs. Standardized tests come in various patterns; they may be multiple-choice questions or true-or-false format. These patterns are widely used since the computers can score the answers smoothly with consistency.
A standardized test may also be in oral-form or a practical skills performance test. The questions may be easy as well as complicated. A standardized test is not limited to academic skills, and it can be given on any topic that includes driving tests, creativity, athleticism, profession, or personal ethics.
The opposite of standardized testing is non-standardized testing. Different tests are given to other test-takers in this pattern, or the same test is conducted under different conditions. It is evaluated differently. The same answer is counted right for one student but wrong for another. There are two main types of standardized tests: aptitude tests and achievement tests.
Standardized tests that are aptitude based predict how students are likely to perform in an educational setting. The common types of aptitude tests are the SAT and ACT. On the other hand, standardized achievement tests are the scores on which the citizens and school board members rely on evaluating a school’s effectiveness.
The main aim of standardized testing is to create assessment tools that permit an individual to make a valid inference about the knowledge or skill that a student possesses in a particular field, be it an educational setting or non-academic setting.
There are different advantages and disadvantages of standardized testing. The benefits include, these tests are mostly practical and are easy to administer within a limited amount of time. The test results of standardized testing are quantifiable with the help of which the students’ achievements are quantified, and the educators can identify their proficiency levels.
These tests are not subjected to the educator’s biased emotions since the scoring is done with a computer’s aid. Standardized testing allows educators to compare the scores of students within the same school or across different schools.
The standardized test comes with a few drawbacks as well. These tests are highly scrutinized. These tests do not assess the higher-level thinking of an individual. It is highly influenced by non-academic factors like fatigue and the attention of an individual. It does not match with the basic classroom skills and behaviours.
It was originally a fair way to evaluate the students, but it is no longer the best way to measure students’ potential. It has denied students from achieving their goals because of its unfair evaluation.
