Standardized tests are administered to students to assess their understanding of a topic. In the United States, students begin taking standardized tests in elementary school. The tests are designed to show a student’s strengths and weaknesses, making them beneficial for students and teachers to further explore what students know and don’t know. According to whitbyschool.org, “In the United States, both public and private schools use standardized assessments each school year. In public schools, students must undergo many tests to ensure they are meeting state or federal standards.” Both public and private schools make their students complete the standardized tests so they can examine what each needs help with. 

Each year, an increasing amount of students take the SAT and ACT. Both the SAT and ACT provide four score reports that are submitted alongside the majority of college applications. According to princetonreview.com,  “If you start by planning to take both tests, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about which one best displays your strengths. You will not need to double your test prep time to take both the SAT and ACT.” 

Both of the tests are manageable and do not require excessive studying, in fact, the tests are meant to test for knowledge learned inside the classroom, not with a tutor. Students can use their four score reports to identify what subjects they will need to work on in order to prepare for college, making these tests extremely useful.

Standardized testing is good for several reasons. According to gradepowerlearning.com, “It provides guidelines for curriculum. Standardized tests give teachers a structure of what needs to be taught. This helps keep classroom material consistent across the country.” The standardized tests are not biased and give everyone a fair chance to perform well. Grade Power Learning also states, “It is a practical and accurate way of evaluating what a student does or does not know across areas like math, reading, and writing.” Evaluation is key to being successful.