The Silver Lining of Standardized Testing

Students and parents alike dread the inevitable stress and anxiety that comes with preparing for and taking standardized tests.  Whether it’s Finals, ACT, SAT, ISEE, etc., these feelings can be treated, but never completely avoided.  Many approach standardized testing with apathy and annoyance.  Very few actually think it’s an efficient method of measuring a student’s academic knowledge or overall critical thinking abilities.  It’s become yet another dreary and mundane, yet necessary, part of education in the United States alongside the harmfully long and early hours of period after period.

To be very clear, I am not an advocate for standardized testing.  As many who dedicate part of their lives to helping students prepare for tests, I can confidently say that they often primarily measure one’s test taking skills.  While this is alarmingly true, through my experience as an educator and someone who has taken many tests throughout my life, I believe there is still merit to be found in test prep and taking, particularly the revised post-2023 SAT.  

While much of the material on the SAT and ACT are based on knowledge of grammar “rules,” an extensive vocabulary, and recognition of math equations, - ie. things that don’t actually determine a student's critical thinking skills - much of my test prep lessons are highly focused on the critical thinking skills that these tests do promote.  Much of this can’t necessarily be said for normal classroom and STAAR testing.  However, tools that do improve scoring on these regular tests, such as anxiety and stress control and time management are still vital life skills.

Many young people assume their ability to influence the workings of their minds is unsubstantial.  However, I’ve seen students’ perspectives on this change within the span of a month or two of regular lessons.  Practicing regular forms of meditation, breathing exercises, or prayer for the religious, are well established methods of increasing students’ testing scores on average.  The havoc anxiety can wreak on academic performance is disastrous.  Addressing emotional needs are essential to healthfully functioning in general, not just in school.  

The lack of motivation and interest depression can impose on one’s mind, particularly in efforts society tells us to be apathetic about, is equally destructive.  Poor testing scores and grades are a symptom of a much deeper issue: the school system, mental health, issues at home, bullying.  Rarely can it be blamed purely on the “laziness” of a student.  I’ve seen several students fail classes because of a total lack of motivation, yet get straight A’s when inspired to apply themselves.  

Don’t blame students for suffering from systemic symptoms.  Help them attack the true core of the issue.

The most important critical thinking abilities measured in the SAT and ACT include: picking out keywords in questions and writing samples, knowing which information is essential or when one is being misled, using the process of elimination, and being able to formulate one’s own solutions when one is not provided.

Reading comprehension is particularly important.  This skill applies not just to school, but in virtually all aspects of one’s professional, philosophical, personal, and legal life.  Being able to sift through unnecessary information and knowing when one is being misled is essential in developing social and emotional intelligence.  These protect students from being taken advantage of and increasing efficiency.  Creating original solutions to problems encourages confidence in taking initiative; taking advantage of opportunities rather than letting insecurity and unsuredness decide life choices.  

By focusing primarily on these critical thinking skills in addition to the less useful knowledge required for testing, I am able to help students train their minds in skills they don’t even know the true value of yet. While it is my job to initially demonstrate skills and ideas to students, practicing alongside them, my ultimate goal as a tutor is for students to demonstrate their own original and unique thoughts using the knowledge I’ve given them. That is how I know I’ve succeeded in a lesson.

This is all to say: while there are many systemic issues with how standardized testing is used in the American education system, there are some useful lessons to be learned from them.  Look for lessons wherever they are, regardless of the medium through which they appear.  Take what betters oneself and “the rest is confetti” (Nell Crain from The Haunting of Hill House).