BY MADDY MORIARTY

Dear Anyone who believes in the current standardized testing system, 

I think it might be time to reevaluate a few things going on in your life.

Do you work for the College Board or the ACT? If you answered yes, you should definitely consider how much humanity you still have left. To test this, simply ask yourself: how well would I be able to handle the stresses the standardized testing I produce cause? If you come to the conclusion that you wouldn’t be able to handle it, then at least you are still human. That’s a start. 

If you don’t work for either organization, your next step should be questioning just how in touch you are with the young scholars preparing for and taking these tests.  If your answer is somewhere along the lines of “I’m perfectly aware, and these kids are just lazy complainers,” then you are probably the most out of touch of anyone. 

The typical Mariemont student juggles multiple AP classes and extracurricular activities. In other words, we are quite the opposite of lazy. 

As I, along with my peers, reach upperclassmen status, standardized testing becomes just as equal a burden as any other school-related activity. 

And I don’t use the word “burden” lightly. The experiences of studying and partaking in these tests have brought the discussion of several grievances from those who are most effected by these tests—grievances that make the weight of standardized testing all the more miserable. 

If you don’t believe me, the following are testimonies of high school juniors preparing for these tests:

“Right now, it’s really hard for me to study for the ACT on top of sports. I don’t understand why we can’t have one at least once a month. I mean, we’re paying for it, why can’t you offer it more?” -Drew Moran, junior baseball player 

The ACT is offered 6 times a year. Juniors are advised to take the ACT in April.  If a student is unable to balance studying with sports schedules, he has to wait at least another 2 months to take the ACT and receive scores. 

“Standardized tests are so ridiculous. My scores don’t define me, so why do they matter so much? And what makes it even worse is they cost a FORTUNE. The hours of work I put into those tests don’t even make a difference when I get a score that’s not good enough. Then I have to register and go through the whole ordeal over and over again. I wonder on a daily basis whether the stress is even worth it, and consider my options of jobs that don’t require a high school degree.” -Grace Brittingham, junior cheerleader

The basic ACT registration fee is $39.50. The ACT plus Writing fee is $56.50. Late registration is an extra $25.00. Sending scores to more than 4 colleges is another $12.00 for each additional school. 

“Also for people that struggle with reading, like me, the older SAT was more fit for me than the ACT. The new SAT is more similar to the ACT with more questions/reading and less time. It’s honestly just sad that the college board doesn’t look at the kids who are struggling, just the excelling”- Clara Scholtz, junior photographer and lacrosse player

According to Forbes and the Princeton Review, the new SAT has been revamped to be more similar to the ACT to attract more students back to the College Board.

“I believe that these required tests prohibit what the students actual knowledge is. The student can have straight A’s and tutor other people but not be very good at standardized test taking. I think it’s stupid how two tests define the rest of your life when applying for college and even a job because of your resume.- Jonathan Uchtman, junior chorus, Showstoppers, and musical participant

In recent years, a study by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling found that colleges who have chosen to go test-optional, such as Wake Forest University, saw minor differences in grades between students who did send test scores and those who did not. The decision to go test optional was also supported by the conclusion that high school grades are a better indicator of student potential than a single test score. 

“What about the time? If I had a more reasonable amount of time to do each section, then maybe the ACT might actually be able to measure some of my capabilities. The only “skill” this test is measuring is how fast you can get something done without really thinking about it. Or even just how well you can guess. We are bound to not do well”- Carson Fields, junior basketball, soccer, and track participant 

The ACT has 4 sections. The English section, focusing in grammar, consists of 75 questions in 45 minutes. The math section allots 60 minutes to answer 60 questions. The reading section, involving analyzing several passages, is 40 questions in 35 minutes. The science section–infamously the most time challenging– involves examining extensive charts and information while answering 40 questions in 35 minutes.

That is 175 minutes worth of testing for the ACT. The SAT runs for 180 minutes.

In this time, students are expected to edit and revise several essays, solve challenging math problems, analyze intricate passages, and examine overcomplicated science data.

With that in mind, we suggest something to those who believe in or are involved in standardized testing: revise, challenge, analyze, and examine the issues surrounding your methods in 180 minutes.

Your time begins now.

Sincerely, 

Highly Capable and Highly Agitated Mariemont Students