Kate McMahon
Opinions Editor
As much as I would like to say that I spent my summer cocooned in a cashmere blanket watching Netflix, it pains me to say that this was not the reality. Truthfully, every single ounce of my energy this summer was spent on ACT work.
I completed an estimated twelve ACT practice tests. Yes. 12. 70 days, 10 weeks, and 12 tests. With the extra time that I receive on all my standardized tests, each practice ACT is six hours with writing and five hours without. Not to mention the time I spent practicing the specific things that I continuously got wrong on worksheets.
I guess I just thought that as I put on my turtle backpack and senior shirt that I would be done with my ACTs and SATs. But, as I walked into Westhill High School on the morning of September 12 to take my third official standardized test, I was surrounded by mostly seniors and it made me wonder, Why are we all here?
In order to better unders these standardized tests fall short, it is important to first explore their goals. Taken directly from the SAT website is the following quote: “It [the test]gives both you and colleges a sense of how you’ll be able to apply the thinking, writing and study skills required for college coursework.” The goal is to test your preparedness for college with specifically worded questions and the test requires students to think a certain way. Interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills are just a few frames of mind that students need to be proficient in to do well on these types of test.
Let’s just hold up a minute. What about the students that are not proficient at problem-solving or any of the previous skills mentioned? These tests are objective; do not include bias and do not consider all types of intelligence. These tests assume that all students who can think a certain way are more intelligent and therefore more prepared for college. I know my way around the reading section of the ACT, to the extent that I probably do not have to practice it, but put me in front of a math section and my heart rate increases exponentially. But what happens to students like me? Whose intelligence cannot be demonstrated by knowing which bubble to fill in? Here is an example of a real ACT question where I am lost in the gray area between a capable student and suffering standardized test taker. (Form 70G, April 2012)
“58. What percent of the even numbers from 2 to 50, inclusive, have a units digit that is twice the tens digit?”
- 4%
- 5%
- 8%
- 16%
- 20%
Yes, I hate to say that I am still doing ACT practice tests. I have one open to the left of my computer because writing this article was my break, and yes I am not afraid to say I got this answer incorrect. (Sorry to let you down Mr. Killelea, but do not beat yourself up over it). The correct answer is J. But say this was the real deal and because I bubbled in H along with other incorrect answers, my score suffered. I fell into the cracks, where you find students whose intelligence cannot be measured by a standardized test. Because I got this answer wrong I am sold short in the admissions game and knocked out by um…Jennifer Lowe from California who is simply unreal at demonstrating her problem solving skills.
But, it is not even your intelligence that I deem the most important for one’s success in college and beyond, it’s the application of one’s intelligence. A 21st century employer is not looking for an employee with a good SAT score but a person with a strong handshake and the ability to persevere. This is where I believe I can beat Jennifer, because I might not know how to solve a “Recipe Question” but I have fire and I can be unstoppable.
Luckily for those who are sailing in the same boat as me, The National Center for Fair and Open Testing, known as FairTest, is an advocacy group that tracks the test-optional movement. It has a list of more than 800 schools. Like New York University, Colby College, Franklin and Marshall, University of Texas and Wake Forest University just to name a few. There are also schools that “superscore” and those who “De-emphasise the use of testing”. Not to mention the countless other ways students are able to express their knowledge; like interviews, essays and teacher recommendations. As you may be able to tell, I am trying to focus on the positives here.
I wait once more around the two week mark after September 12th (when scores start being released) hopefully for the last time. As I sit on the edge of my chair, thinking about the effects this test has on my already poor posture, it pains me to say that if my score isn’t what it needs to be then I will further extend “my testing summer” into “my testing fall”. *Sigh*
If you too are worried to the brink of insanity about your tests scores then godspeed. In order to ease your burden I will inspire you with a quote that has become a mantra of mine these days, “I’m many things, but stupid is not one of them.”- Olivia Pope. The bottom line is, these tests are not for everyone and you cannot measure one’s intelligence by bubbles. However, if you are blessed with the ability to be one and done with these types of test then I am sorry but, I am unfriending you on Facebook.
