Monday, March 31, 2014
Standardized Tests
Since some of us are taking the AP English exam pretty soon, I figured we should discuss standardized testing. We have all taken standardized tests since from a very young age. I remember that the only good thing about the ISATs was that they gave us free gum. Did any of the tests that we took really measure our intelligence? I do not think that these tests accurately measure a persons intelligence since every person does not learn and process information the same way. This is like the quote by Albert Einstein, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Is this the same with the AP English exam or did it find a better way to judge intelligence? Do you think that these tests should have such a large impact on your future?
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UGH! Why do I have such difficulties with the font color!?!?!?!
ReplyDeleteI think that standardized testing is not really about our intelligence, but our ability to regurgitate information. Because it is not individualized, all they can really test is our memory. The AP tests are different because we can be judged on how we process ideas and thoughts, and not on whether or not we get the correct answer. I do not think that there is a standardized test that truly measures intelligence. Every person learns in a different way, and because of this they also learn different subjects better than others. If someone's intelligence is based on what they know, then we are all dumb as a door-nail. There is to much knowledge in the world for us to be considered intelligent. We are all intelligent in the areas that we specialize in, but as soon as we get into another area we have to start the learning process over again.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that standardized testing only measures our memory. We could get a question wrong simply by the way it is worded. This does not mean that we do not have the intelligence to figure out the question. Standardized testing only tests on specific subjects and cannot be used to measure a person's overall intelligence. One area that testing cannot measure is a person's motivation. This is probably one of the most important things that distinguish one another. A very intelligent individual can achieve very little if they lack the proper motivation.
DeleteColton, I agree! Testing measures not only memory, but also motivation. Motivation determines and affects our lives in every way. What we do and what we do not do, determines what doors will be open for us and what ones will be closed. Although tests may not accurately represent our intelligence, there are steps that can be taken to improve our testing scores. By helping ourselves, we can help our test scores.
DeleteI believe that standardized testing does not measure someone's intelligence. All it measures is someone's test taking skills. Some of us are terrible test takers yet, still manage to do very well in school. Our lives are controlled by many of these tests though. I do not believe that this is very fair. Our lives should not be controlled by the outcomes of a specific tests. Certain tests can measure the intelligence of a person in a certain subject. While I believe that testing does not measure someone's intellect or capabilities, I believe that there are not many other options to measure the education of a student. I believe that the AP exam is an excellent example of a test that does not measure someone's intelligence. It only has the capability of measuring a person's intelligence of the questions. Nothing more, nothing less.Standardized testing is a hot topic in our education system. There is really no correct answer.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that many standardized tests are only gauges for someone's test taking skills. Not everyone is able to score high enough to pass a standardized test yet do well enough in classes that their test scores do not reflect their intelligence. And that's where Sarah's quote comes into play. Kids that don't score high enough on the ISATs are placed in lower classes and yet are sometimes intelligent enough that these classes are too easy for them, and they're only there because of their poor test taking skills.
DeleteStandardized tests are useful for teaching, but only to see how much we have learned and how we understood it. We're all in AP because we are proficient in English, and scored advanced on the Reading and Language ISATs. Standardized testing is to help teachers place students where they should be in relation to classes as they progress through grades. As far as the ACT and SAT, they are helpful for colleges and gauging how well you will do in college classes. The AP test is the same way. Standardized testing is just to help schools place students in the correct classes so that they do not fall behind too much.
ReplyDeleteI agree that standardized testing does help with placing students in the correct classes so the students can learn with others that have similar abilities. I also agree that the ACT and SAT show more of our thought process and if we are ready for the challenge of college classes. I do not think that standardized tests show how we understand the material.
DeleteI agree that test help with placement in classes to make sure they are being taught at the learning level they need. I also agree that test are used to test us on how well we can take tests and not crack under pressure. Standardized test are important but I feel that they are some times a bother for some students that are not very good at test taking and it makes it hard for them to get into a good college.
DeleteStandardized tests, such as the AP exams, don't measure intelligence. If the purpose of standardized tests is to measure intelligence, then there is fault in the theory that the tests do so. I think that tests are used to identify a person's ability to recall and apply what they have previously learned. They are intended to identify how much a person has learned; however, they really just test how much a person remembers. Standardized tests do not always represent a person's capabilities accurately. For those that are naturally gifted test-takers, scores may represent how much someone has memorized and been applying. For those that are ill test-takers, scores may not do justice. There is no ultimate test that can tell exactly how smart or intelligent a person is. We only have tests, like the AP exam, that determine our memory of and application to the field of study that is addressed.
ReplyDeleteVirginia, I agree that they do test us a lot on applying what we have learned, which also involves recollection. This is especially true with the AP exam. The whole premise of it is to demonstrate our skills and knowledge in literature and language. Now I also agree that there is no "ultimate test" to judging each person individually because there are so many different ways people interpret and perform in tests, with technology, I feel that there are options to coming closer to the "ultimate test." I remember how the ISATs would give us questions based on how well we were doing. That was a huge advantage to seeing the skill level of each student. It meant that everyone was answering questions at their own level. I feel like this could someday become normal for the exams we take now that are just on paper, such as the AP exam and the ACTs. It is a much better way for all to demonstrate.
DeleteISATs vs other tests such as the ACTs and AP exams are in completely different categories. In the AP exam, or the ACT, one is forced to work at a pace not all are capable. Students must rush through each question because they are allotted an average of basically two seconds per question. The fact that these tests are timed, is really a disadvantage for me personally. I feel confident in my knowledge and what I have learned from my years in school. I have worked hard for my academic accomplishments, which makes it very frustrating that I cannot score over a 25 on the ACT just because I take more time comprehending and understanding what I am answering. I actually enjoyed taking the ISATs when I was younger. I always made it a competition against my classmates to score the highest and it was a competition against myself to be advanced in every subject. I pushed myself and I was able to score advanced in every subject most of the time, and I also scored over my classmates many times. With the ISATs I successfully showed my academic ability and intelligence, and I took the time I needed to do it. I believe that standardized tests should help set us up for the "big" tests we start taking our junior year that really matter. I know that I would have done better on the ACTs if I had been practicing for them since 2nd grade.
ReplyDeleteI feel standardized testing only tests on memorization and with that some people can do the problems but don't remember how. I have never really been a very good test taker but even with that I still get good grades in class. I fell that these test not only test us on memorization but they also test us on how well we can manage our time and solve or create ideas on certain topics rapidly. I feel like it is a good way to see if we are holding on to our knowledge but I feel like in some cases it isn't fair to see if that makes them worthy for certain colleges just cause they score.
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