Pinna: A Partial Defense of Standardized Testing

“Real change has to be made with how standardized testing companies operate, but at its core, the standardized test is an excellent resource for universities and shouldn’t be removed.”

As another January passes along, with it goes the end of the Class of 2023’s college application season. Doubtlessly, the process is one that is truly nerve-wracking; teens have to craft a comprehensive picture of themselves using only an essay, a GPA, a short resume, two letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores. Their future careers and perhaps, their own sense of self-worth and mental health, thus hinge on what they write on those several slips of virtual paper (which, for some reason, cost money to send).

This brief period of intense reflection, regardless of how accomplished one ends up being, always comes with regrets. If I had put in a little more effort, could I have gotten that A in Trigonometry; should I have tried out for that varsity sport or academic club; and one of the most common: could I have gotten a higher score on my SAT or ACT?

Especially if standardized testing wasn’t a student’s strong point, pondering such hypotheticals can lead one to the conclusion that schools shouldn’t even require the SAT in the first place. After all, they argue, in addition to it being an arbitrary indicator of one’s intelligence, it also disadvantages those of a lower socioeconomic status, as they cannot afford the test prep books or courses that lead to marked improvements in scores.

The latter is a very valid point. The College Board, the makers of the SAT and Advanced Placement courses, is notorious for its high prices. The test itself, with the essay portion, is $64.50, and that cost can breach the $100 mark for late or waitlisted registrations. If a student wants to distinguish his or her application through an SAT Subject Test—some schools like Georgetown “strongly recommend” taking at least three—they should expect to add another $26 per test into their carts. All of this doesn’t even include the cost associated with sending those scores to colleges; although the College Board allows for four free score reports, nearly 40% of all applicants end up applying to seven schools or more, at $12 for each that goes over the Board’s free limit.