Standardized Testing in American Colleges

Introduction to Standardized Testing

In most high schools, students in their junior year usually face the challenge of a test called the “American College Test” or the ACT. This is a standardized test designed for college admissions in the United States. Many students believe this test reflects their intelligence. Students often go around asking others about their ACT scores because that is what mostly matters to them. I think relying on a single test to measure intelligence is misleading because everyone has their unique skill set and personal experiences. Throughout most of my life, I have always been a hands-on person. When I was fourteen years old, I began spending more time with my dad, who is from Cuba.

Cultural and Practical Learning

In Cuba, people are not as advanced in technology, and they don’t have interchangeable parts. When something breaks in Cuba, people often make the part themselves rather than buying it from a store. My dad learned how to create his own parts or equipment, and he showed me how to create things. Additionally, he was a bodybuilder and taught me how to exercise. He also works in constructing fences and decks. After the summer of 2014, I started working with him during my summer breaks, and I began learning how to use different sorts of equipment and develop communication skills with my co-workers. This experience helped me adopt a new way of learning, which is working hands-on.

The ACT Experience

On April 20, 2017, the ACT was going to be administered. I had been eagerly waiting for this day, studying for the test since the beginning of my junior year of high school. This test could dictate which college I might attend in the future. My dream college admission ACT score was a 26 or higher to qualify for a scholarship. Throughout my years of high school, I have always struggled with tests, passing about 70% of the time with a B or C grade. However, I was always excited for group projects because they are more hands-on and collaborative. I excelled in group collaboration assignments and was often chosen quickly due to my good reputation in group projects.

Dealing with Disappointment

After the six-week wait, the results were back from the ACT. The teacher passed out the results to every student in an envelope. I opened my envelope and was surprised to see that I didn't get the grade I was expecting and hoping for. I was 11 points below the score I needed for the scholarship, which meant I could not get into the college I wanted. Students would often ask me, “What did you get on the ACT?” I replied, “16.” Most students would respond with a small laugh in their voice, “Dude, that sucks.” My motivation for school temporarily vanished. People knew me as a very happy person all the time; no one ever saw me sad or angry. I rarely ever had bad days. Things changed after I received my test score. I felt I was very stupid compared to other students because of a certain test score.

Finding Value Beyond Test Scores

In the following weeks, I hardly talked to anyone because I felt isolated. When group work was assigned, I was the last pick. A few days later, while exercising, I thought to myself, “Who knows how to exercise properly, build a fence, or fix a broken part in a car or a house? Not everyone.” These were skill sets that the ACT did not cover. This realization helped me understand that I am not stupid; I simply have a wide variety of skills that others might not possess, and I valued that. I came to know that my test score didn't define everything about me and did not predict whether I would be successful in the future.

Conclusion

Standardized tests like the ACT can be a useful tool for college admissions, but they should not be the sole measure of a student's capabilities or potential. Each individual brings unique skills and talents to the table, many of which cannot be quantified by a test score. Embracing a diverse skill set and valuing hands-on experience can lead to success in various aspects of life, beyond academics.

References

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).

Modern Language Association. (2016). MLA Handbook (8th ed.).