All students can relate to the pressure and uneasiness they feel when taking standardized tests forced upon them by the state. We cramp in study hours and push ourselves to nearly impossible limits to receive a passing grade on tests that decide our future. But are these test helping us? Are they realistic?

Last year, a school board member decided to take the standardized tests given to 10th graders for math and reading. This man has a bachelor of science degree, two masters degrees, and 15 credit hours toward a doctorate according to the Washington Post. After taking the tests, the member said that he felt poorly about his performance. The scores were released and he found that he received a 62% on the reading section and only got ten out of sixty right on the mathematics portion. If a qualified adult is unable to pass these tests meant for students, how are students expected to measure up?

Frankly, this is one of the largest discrepancies of our education system. We are taught material intended to help us pass these tests. While I’ve always done exceedingly well on the math, I get anxiety over writing and reading and this affects my scores negatively.

It seems that staying up late to study for tests that don’t even apply to real life situations is contradictory to the whole system. So why should I be denied access to schools and scholarships just because I am unable to live up to the unrealistic standards of the tests?

What do you think?