Effects of Standardized Testing on Students

By: Angelina Mertz ‘29

Have you ever stared at a test that you had spent weeks studying for and just blanked? Perhaps it was stress, or something was on your mind? Or maybe you’d gotten a score that didn’t truly reflect your skills or creativity? This is due to exam stress, which is a minor form of acute stress. How this works is that your brain perceives the exam as distress and triggers your body into releasing hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol.

Standardized testing can be defined as a benchmark assessment as well as an opportunity for teachers to observe how each student is growing. But how can they be sure that the test is an accurate depiction of someone's development while accounting for exam stress and other performance-altering factors?

Inaccurate test results can start from exam stress, which is the tension one feels when working through a test or under pressure, to something as minor as a bad day. Exam stress is commonly found in perfectionists, those afraid of failure, and those who feel social pressure. There are benefits of exam stress or acute stress, such as the ability to concentrate better, but it comes with poor judgment, impaired perception, and therefore, worse performance. On a bad day, say something unexpected or traumatic has occurred. How is it that your mind is as sharp as it is on a good day? Additionally, standardized tests don't happen often, and “some kids even have test phobia because they have just this one chance at getting it right,” says Alissa Holland, an instructional coach from Massachusetts. The SAT is an example of a standardized test, and plays a major role in college admissions. What is it worth if it's not an accurate measure of college readiness, creativity, or life skills?
​
Schools and universities should reconsider relying heavily on standardized testing accuracy, as there are a million different factors that affect someone's performance.