Throughout twelve years of public and/or private education, it is very likely that most students have been required to take some sort of standardized testing. Of many, two of the most widely known standardized tests are the SAT and ACT.  Both are offered by two different non – profit organizations and they have managed to surround themselves with the same controversy for the past few decades. Are the SAT or ACT necessary?

  The primary issue behind SAT and ACT is that both tests are based on limited subjects. The SAT only focuses on English and Math, as the ACT tests the same plus an additional subject, Science. The exam is formatted this way because these are the main few subjects that students study throughout all their years of education. Therefore, from one perspective, it appears to be a logical way of testing the average intellectual aptitude of a student, as it is the common ground in all school curriculums. However, it’s important to look at the purpose of SAT and ACT. For what reason do students in high school take the test? Simple, college applications. What’s funny here is that most universities seek out a student for their individuality and unique abilities. From what standpoint does a standardized test – that only seeks out a limited category of knowledge – provide benefit in a student’s application? Many colleges are realizing this as more no longer require SAT or ACT score reports.

Sometime last week, Collegeboard announced a public decision to cancel subject testing once and for all. These are shorter one-hour exams that students can take to prove their competence in other subjects besides English and Math. The reactions of the public have split both ways. Some thought that this was a positive change as it lessens the pressure on students about having to partake in additional standardized testing. Others were less than thrilled as the main SAT test still remained. For what reason would Collegeboard remove subjects tests that could be used to showcase knowledge in a variety of subjects yet persist in keeping the long and agonizing test that only examines a student on two subjects? Many believe that the reason behind this decision was due to the effects of COVID – 19. The duration of the pandemic proved how stressful test preparations were, and how desperate students had become that they were willing to go to private academies and tutors amidst the current situation in order to accomplish their goals of scoring well. This introduces the second issue behind SAT and ACT preparation. Although the purpose of the two exams is to test the basic knowledge of a student by junior year of high school, many are now paying to prepare separately for the exam. These tests have left their stratosphere of “testing basic skills” as many students are practicing to perfect the art of taking these tests. Even Collegeboard has finally come to a point of acknowledging the benefits of private coaching when in preparation for the SAT. From this comes proof that even the organization agrees expenditure is necessary to increase the possibilities of scoring higher.

Ultimately, it has come to a point where students can no longer be sure if the SAT and ACT are serving the purpose that they were initially created for. Many are paying to perfect their standardized testing skills. It has come to a point where no one can be certain whether a good score comes from a well-built common core knowledge (within the standards deemed by Collegeboard and ACT) or whether it reflects good training for the test. On top of that, the contents of the test look into a limited amount of topics that a student can express their knowledge in. The lack of space to express originality and actual skill is slowly diminishing the actual need or purpose for SAT and ACT to be encouraged to the upcoming younger generation of students.