Werner 1

Grace Werner
English 101H CRN 83311
Professor McKeever
13 November 2015
Word Count: 626

Do Standardized Tests Determine Intelligence?

Students all over the world are expected to complete some form of standardized test
about once a year. These tests are often referred to as assessments. An assessment is defined as
the collection and analysis of information about one or more students. Standardized, when
applied to testing, means that a particular group of students will take the same test which will be
scored and analyzed the same way. Scored results for individual students are then compared to
the rest of the group to see how well they all performed collectively. These tests have been used
for years to determine the intelligence of the students taking the tests as well as the teachers
teaching ability. I believe that standardized testing is not suitable way to measure those things
because they cause unnecessary stress, are limited in what they cover, and do not evaluate a
students growth throughout a whole school year.

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Standardized tests are stressful for the students, as well as the teachers. Extreme emphasis
and pressure is put on the shoulders of both parties to do well, which can lead to anxiety. This
stress can often undermine a students self-confidence and love of learning. Months in advance,
teachers start reviewing topics covered on the tests, reducing their time and energy. Also,
administering standardized tests often disrupts school routines and takes away from time that
could be used for teaching and learning.
Standardized tests are limited in what they measure. For example, these tests do not
measure teamwork ability, creativity, or how to apply important skills to real world challenges.
W. James Popham, the author of the article, Why Standardized Tests Don't Measure Educational
Quality, mentioned that using standardized tests to understand the quality of a persons
education and intelligence is like measuring temperature with a tablespoon. Tablespoons are
clearly not the correct measuring tool to determine how hot or cold something is. It is impossible
to receive that kind of data. Similarly, standardized achievement tests are not the correct tool to
measure the intelligence of a student. They should not be used to judge educational quality.
Finally, standardized tests do not evaluate a students growth throughout the school year.
These tests only focus on a single or a few days of testing to determine intelligence. Because of
this, external factors could impact the students performance greatly such as family issues,
illness, and other situations. For example, if the students dog died the night before the
assessment, clearly his focus would not be on the test. Instead, he would be relaying the tragic
events that happened the night before. Ultimately, his test scores would suffer.

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Overall, standardized tests are used worldwide in many different kinds of schools and
settings, but they have become an obsolete testing method. Not only do they bring unnecessary
stress to teachers and students and disrupt school routine, but they are also limited in what they
are able to measure and focus on one specific testing day, rather than a year of learning. It is clear
to see from this information that standardized tests are not a reliable way to determine
intelligence.

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Works Cited
Grant, Marquis. "What Is Standardized Testing?" Study.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.
Popham, W. James. "Membership." Educational Leadership:Using Standards and Assessments:Why
Standardized Tests Don't Measure Educational Quality. N.p., Mar. 1999. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.
"Standardized Test Scores: What Do They Mean?" Standardized Test Scores: What Do They
Mean? N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.
University, Columbia. Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing (n.d.): n. pag. Spring 2013. Web. 15 Nov.
2015.
"Why More Standardized Tests Won't Improve Education." Parents Across America. N.p., 02 Sept.
2011. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.