Authors G & I–

PRO: Author G

Standardized tests like the ACT and SAT are a vital part of the college admissions process because they analyze far more than just intelligence. At the heart of the assessment, standardized tests are reading comprehension and endurance evaluations. Not only do the tests force students to recall information they have learned throughout their years of education, but it pushes them to do so in a relatively short period of time. Deciphering the wide variety of passages, formulas, and question types are comparable to real world comprehension skills. According to the National Center for Biotechnology and Medicine, the SAT and ACT scores are often good indicators of someone’s likelihood to pass the bar exam. Standardized tests can also act as an equalizer for colleges. Having a universal test helps them gain another comparison method that is applicable to all students. Another benefit of these tests is through the ways they can be used to award merit based scholarships. However, the true purpose of standardized testing needs to be reinforced in society. While it could be argued that they offer incorrect data about how a student will do in college, in actuality it shows a student’s true determination and ability to push through a difficult task. It also proves to students that they are capable if they work towards a goal and stick with it. The test can be a tough mental battle with oneself, but once it is over students can feel more prepared for college. It gives them a taste on what studying for large tests might be like and helps them practice time-management skills. To conclude, the tests are not only beneficial to colleges but to the students themselves.

CON: Author I

Standardized tests like the SAT and ACT are not necessary in the college admissions process.
According to a study by the National Center for Fair and Open Testing, standardized tests are poor
predictors of college success and do not provide any additional information beyond what high school
grades already provide. Instead, colleges and universities can use a more holistic approach, looking
at factors such as a student’s high school GPA, extracurricular activities, and essays. This approach
will give a more complete picture of a student’s abilities and potential for success in college. Accord-
ing to a study by the University of California, Berkeley, high school grades are a better predictor of
college success than standardized test scores Additionally, more and more colleges and universities
are beginning to adopt test-optional policies, which means that students can choose whether or not
to submit their standardized test scores as part of their college application. This is a recognition of
the limitations and biases of standardized tests and an acknowledgement that there are other ways
to evaluate a student’s potential for success in college.Standardized tests have been shown to have
a bias against low-income students and students of color, as they may not have access to the same
resources and opportunities as more affluent students. This bias is not fair and does not provide a level
playing field for students from different backgrounds. Standardized tests are twice as likely to under-
predict the academic performance of low-income and minority students than that of affluent students.
Furthermore, standardized tests do not measure a student’s potential for success in college. College
success is not just about what you know, but also how you learn, how you think, how you adapt and
how you manage stress, which are not measured by standardized tests. According to the American
College Testing (ACT), a student’s score on the test is not a measure of their potential for college
success and should be used in conjunction with other factors such as high school grades and activities.

The pro article was written by Anna Pickette. The con was written by ChatGPT. For the full answer key and instructions given, click here.