Standardized tests are supposed to be administered and scored in a consistent manner. They are
designed so that the questions, conditions, and scoring procedures are constant regardless of who
is taking the test. However, many outside factors often come into play, prompting some to ask..
S STANDARDIZED
TESTING FAR?
7 FACTS
about standardized tests
you probably didn't know
I Standardized tests favor
students from English speaking hornes
Students who come from households where a language other
than English is primarily spoken may have difficulty identify-
ing subtle problems in sentence structure.
Tgt
2.4496
of Americans
doubt the ability of standard-
ized tests to measure students
potential success in college.
Some students don't respond
well to stress and the SATs put
undue stress on those trying to
get into college.
3 Standardized tests favor
Higher Familu Income
Equals Better Test Scores
$20 $40 Eoo Sloo 8120 Elgo 8100 Sam
4Ck ock 80k 100k lock 200k e, up
students from higher income families
This disparity could come from parents and well-funded
schools who pay for additional preparation and tutoring for
It could also result from the hardships and
students.
hurdles low-income families face that tests don't account
for. Students from low-income homes typically don't have
access to the same education as children from more afflu-
ent families and tests often can make assumptions about
the backround of children and social knowledge, tending to
favor that of white, middle class students.
$3
600
500
400
4. Onlu 6096 of colleges
place considerable irnportance on admission tests
Schools stated that standardized admissions tests such as
the SAT and ACT are not the most important factors in col-
lege admissions. There is a growing emphasis placed on
grades throughout all courses of high school and proposals to
do away with any minimum cut-offs for points scored on any
standardized test.
6. The Trends
Average SAT score from 1972 to 2008
7.
1972
Standardized tests should report similar results by
similar groups over a period of time to be considered
dependable.
1990
Fernales score
5.
26 POINTS
bwer on the SAT
Studies have found that fe-
males score lower based on
the test's speed and multiple
choice format. However, those
same women go on to college
and earn higher grades than
their male counterparts.
With standardized tests a person
shoud score within 5% of their
score wren takhg the test for a
second tt-ne. yet there is onu a
80-50%
chance that this will occur.
Even on the sarne test, scores
can fluctuate up to
10%
Sources: fairtest.org, school.familyeducation.com,
pbs.org, collegeboard.com, essortment.com
teacherswithapps.com