Completing research: I researched the pros and cons of the SAT test in order to decide whether I am for or against the emphasis placed on it. Below are the for and against essays on the topic. I agree with the against essay. I do not believe that there should be so much emphasis placed on the SAT test.
For the Emphasis Placed on the SAT
Should
so much emphasis be placed on the SAT test? Those for the test say that the
test is fair for all students. They believe that the SAT is important in order
for students to be prepared for college. Supporters say the test ensures
students have the basic skills needed to be productive in college. They also
say that the SAT helps colleges choose students who ready for the challenge,
and reject students who are not. On the other hand, those who are against the
SAT, say that the SAT is unfair for minority students. They also say that the
SAT is not an appropriate way to measure whether or not a student is ready for
college. Critics believe there should be more emphasis placed on the students’
work ethic and determination. Also, more emphasis should be placed on who the
students really are. According to those against the emphasis placed on the test,
the test does not even measure the intelligence, it really measures the
students’ ability to guess using the process of elimination. So, should so much
emphasis be placed on the SAT test in order for students to get into college?
Yes. The SAT test is used to measure the basic skills that students need to be
successful in college, is fair for all students, and helps college admissions
officers admit students who are prepared to be successful and are ready to work
hard.
The
SAT is fair for all students. During the test, all students are given the same
amount of time to complete the test. All students who take the SAT are given
the same type of questions, multiple choice and an essay. The students have the
same amount of questions on each test, and even have the same type of material.
The SAT gives each student a fair opportunity to demonstrate what they know.
Also, all students are graded the same way. There are no extra points given to
some students, and not others. All students must work for each point they
receive on the SAT. “Standardized tests are inclusive and non-discriminatory
because they ensure content is equivalent for all students” (“Standardized
Tests”). The students must work independently during the entire test, there is
no assistance for any student.
The SAT is used to measure how well the students have
mastered basic skills. If students are unable to use basic academic skills,
they will not be able to handle the pressures of college. “The test identifies
students who need extra tutoring, push students to learn more…”
(“Standardized”). The questions on the SAT ensure that all students have the
ability to solve mathematical problems, analyze readings, and demonstrate their
writing skills. Those who obtain these skills are able to show colleges that
they are ready to work and be successful. The test also ensures that students
learn time management. They have to pace themselves during the test in order to
complete the questions correctly and before the time runs out. The SAT tests if
students are able to grasp important concepts through the small portions of
literature they must read. Students who are going to do well in college must
read large portions of information and pick out the ideas that are most
important. In college, students must be able to analyze what they have read in
order to participate on class discussions, write essays, and do well on exams
and quizzes. The SAT is not simply a college entrance exam, but a tool that
helps prepare students for the future.
The
SAT is just slight preparation for what college will bring. Not only from
academic stand point, but the SAT teaches the students responsibility. The
students must be sure they are registered for the test prior to taking it. They
must remember to bring all required materials and be on time in order to
complete the SAT. The SAT also teaches students to prepare themselves
physically and mentally for the test. Those who administer the test advise
students to get a good night sleep the night before the test. Also, they advise
students to eat a nutritious breakfast in order to have enough energy to
complete the SAT with confidence and accuracy. In college, students will have
to take care of themselves physically and mentally, so they can be successful
academically. Students who do well on the SAT demonstrate that they are
independent and critical thinkers. Critical thinking is required in order for a
student to learn in college and thoroughly understand abstract ideas and
concepts. A student must be able to learn independently. In college, the
professors will not simply give students the information. Students must spend a
tremendous amount of time studying and preparing themselves in order to do well
in college.
Lastly, the SAT aids college admissions officers in determining
what students are ready to attend college. “The tests… help uphold high
academic standards for all schools” (“Standardized”). By admitting students
with high SAT scores, colleges are able to set and keep high standards. They
are able to weed out the students who may be unfocused or not serious about
college and careers. This can also help reduce the chances of the colleges
becoming overpopulated and full of students who will bring down the school.
SATs can also help students receive scholarships, and other forms of financial
assistance. Those who are willing to work hard during the test, could be
rewarded. Colleges do not want to put money towards an individual who is not
prepared for the work load. The SAT shows that a student has developed the skills
over four years of high school that are essential for four or more years of
college. Students with high SAT scores should be given the opportunity to
better themselves academically, socially, and eventually financially because
they demonstrate that they can handle a college work load.
Therefore, there should be emphasis placed on the SAT for
students who are trying to attend college. The SAT test is fair for all
students who take it. The SAT measures whether or not students have the basic
skills needed to be successful in college. Lastly, the SAT helps colleges
determine who is ready for college, and who is not.
Against the Emphasis Placed on the SAT
Works Cited
“Standardized High School Exit Exams.” Issues & Controversies On File: n.page.
Issues &
Controversies. Facts On File
News Services, 16 Oct. 2009. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
"Standardized Tests
ProCon.org." ProCon.org. 1 Nov. 2013. Web. 6 Nov. 2013.
Against the Emphasis Placed on the SAT
Should
so much emphasis be placed on the SAT test? Those for the test say that the
test is fair for all students. They believe that the SAT is important in order
for students to be prepared for college. Supporters say the test ensures
students have the basic skills needed to be productive in college. They also
say that the SAT helps colleges choose students who ready for the challenge,
and reject students who are not. On the other hand, those who are against the
SAT, say that the SAT is unfair for minority students. They also say that the
SAT is not an appropriate way to measure whether or not a student is ready for
college. There should be more emphasis placed on the students’ work ethic and
determination. Also, more emphasis should be placed on who the students really
are. In fact, the test does not even measure the intelligence, it really
measures the students’ ability to guess using the process of elimination. So,
should so much emphasis be placed on the SAT test? No. So much emphasis should
not be placed on the SAT because the test does not accurately depict what a
student knows, the test is unfair, and a successful student does not need to
have a high SAT scores to be successful, but motivation and determination in
order to achieve his/her dreams and goals.
The
SAT test does not accurately depict what a student knows. Some students who are
very smart do not do well on the SAT for various reasons. For example, some
students may just not be good test takers. They may become for nervous when taking
a test and therefore do not perform well. The students feel pressure to perform
well in order to get accepted into a top college. This extra pressure can lower
the students’ performance. The students put so much pressure on themselves to
achieve a certain score. However, they focus so much on receiving a certain score
that they are not able to concentrate during the test. Also, the SAT is
extremely long which can make a student tired and unable to focus. The SAT does
not really test what a student is taught in the classroom. In fact, many of the
test questions are skills that high school students have never even seen or
heard of. So much emphasis should not be placed on the SAT because the test is
ambiguous. There are many questions on the SAT, specifically on the critical
reading section that can have multiple answers. This ambiguity can be
frustrating to students, and cause them to simply choose any answer. By
choosing any answer, students do not show colleges what they actually know. “Standardized
tests do not accurately measure the skills students need to succeed after high
school, and research has shown that the exams do not reflect academic
achievement” (“Standardized”). Sometimes
students are just having a bad day the day of the SAT. By them having a bad
day, they are more susceptible of doing poorly on the test. Low scores on the
SAT do not mean that the students are not intelligent, but colleges would not know
that because they are simply rejecting them based on their SAT scores.
The
SAT is unfair for minority students. Students who do not fluently speak English
have trouble understanding the questions on the SAT. They have to struggle
reading the texts and answering the questions on the SAT. Also, those who have
trouble speaking English, have trouble writing the essay part of the test.
Minority students who come from impoverished communities also have trouble on
the SAT. They may not get the academic resources necessary to be prepared for
this test due to the lack of academic support services at their schools. “An
emphasis… on standardized testing has ignored the vast differences among school
systems and the unique challenges that some schools and teachers face”
(“Educational”). In fact, minority students usually have lower scores on the
SAT, than non-minority students. Therefore, non-minority students usually have
a better chance of having higher scores on the SAT. Minority students have a
bit more trouble taking the test and actually achieving a high score. “Exit
exams have a disproportionately negative impact on the graduation rates of
minority students, low income students, and students with learning
disabilities” (“Standardized”). They are not given the same opportunities of
non-minority students and as a result can miss out on future successes and
accomplishments. Non-minority students have more advantages and resources
needed in order to be successful on the SAT.
Lastly,
the success of students going to college is not determined by their test
scores. Students who do not achieve high SAT scores are just as capable of
being successful as students who do achieve high scores. Success is achieved
when a student is determined to make their dreams become a reality, and not
give up. A student must attend college with the mindset that he/she will succeed.
A student who has a high SAT score may not be as successful as a student who
has a low test score. The student with a low SAT score may be willing to work
harder in order to achieve greatness. However, a student with a high SAT score
may not have the motivation that the student with the low test score has.
Motivation leads to greatness more than intelligence. By colleges placing so
much emphasis on the SAT scores, they are limiting students who have great
potential. These students may be willing to put in extra work and effort
towards their studies. However, colleges may not give them a chance because
their SAT scores are not up to par. The students with lower SAT scores are
possibly missing out on a wonderful opportunity to attend a top college and
better themselves for the future. They are simply being judged by a test, than
by their actual work ethic or other academic achievements.
Therefore, the SAT should not be
emphasized for students trying to attend college. The test does not accurately
portray what students really know. Also, the test is not fair for all students,
specifically minority students. Lastly, high SAT scores do not determine
whether or not a student will be successful in the future. A student’s success
is determined by his/her work ethic and motivation.
Works Cited
“Educational Standards and Curriculum.” Issues & Controversies. Facts On
File News Services,
28 Jan. 2013. Web. 30 Oct. 2013.
http://www.2facts.com/article/i1800030.
“Standardized High School Exit Exams.” Issues & Controversies On File: n.page.
Issues &
Controversies. Facts On File
News Services, 16 Oct. 2009. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
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