Standardized Tests Aren't About Scores, They're About Preparing Students for the Future

Key points:

The importance and rigor of AP exams are back in the spotlight with the release of the latest exam results. Discussions about new grading methodology and streamlining content continue to place value on a single test score and forget the main reason students should take AP tests and other standardized tests: to prepare them for the future in an environment that encourages growth and aligns with university and professional experiences and expectations.

A 2021 college board analysis found that simply completing AP classes and taking exams made students more likely to enroll in college and excel in introductory courses. This is true for students who score a 5 on the exam, as well as a 1 or 2. Of course, there are financial factors for students who do well. Good scores on AP exams allow students to earn college credit and potentially skip introductory college courses. High scores on the SAT, ACT, and AP exams can also improve scholarship applications. In either case, students can save (or earn) more money to help pay for college.

While these quantifiable benefits are important, the impact of AP exams goes far beyond college credits and scholarship money. They provide students with an enhanced set of skills in critical thinking, time management, strong writing and communication, and problem solving as a direct result of a learning environment that promotes productive struggle.

Optional advanced courses that enable learning through productive struggle seem to be the first to go when districts face budget cuts, widespread school closuresgreater teacher attrition and larger class sizes. As a former principal, I often saw students inclined to drop out of AP classes when they did not perform with the same success they found in other courses, a mentality reinforced by parents and teachers who did not want to push their students beyond their comfort zones. . This potentially predisposes them to poor performance, as well as an aggravated sense of struggle at more critical moments in life, such as when preparing for a career in nursing, accounting, or many others that require standardized testing.

I am not suggesting that we let our students fail in their AP classes. There is a threshold. However, we must provide them with the resources and encouragement to help them push their limits and understand that the learning journey is more meaningful than the final score. This requires parents and teachers to push students beyond their limits and guide them on how to meet challenges in their coursework. School districts must provide teachers and students with supplemental resources to support the instruction they receive and what is expected of them. All teachers, even those new to AP, can effectively teach complex subjects with the help of high-quality educational resources, allowing them to better interact with their students and help them master the material.

After-school programming and nonprofit organizations also play a crucial role in providing essential resources that may not be available in schools. Many providers partner with local organizations to offer academic support to students preparing for standardized tests. All of these efforts, plus encouragement to persevere through AP courses, are vital to the success of today's students.

Investigation shows that standardized testing directly correlates with college success. I have found that students who learn to prepare effectively for rigorous exams reap the greatest benefits from the studying process. The SAT, ACT, and AP exams are not IQ tests with concrete results. Students can improve their scores and work to optimize learning instead of prioritizing memorization. They must embrace the challenges of test preparation with a stronger drive to see improvement, rather than perfection.

The SAT, ACT, and AP exams are a staple in the college admissions process, despite a past move for colleges to switch to a blind testing process. Our classrooms set the standard for the workforce of the future, so emphasizing rigor through Advanced Placement courses and challenging exams will help students develop grit and not be afraid to strive to grow, which will ultimately benefit to society.