Throughout the world, students spend countless hours studying and preparing for AP and standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, and Work Keys.  

Within the past three weeks, students at Carolina Forest High School have taken four kinds of standardized tests, often taking away from instructional time in the classroom and adding stress and anxiety to students.

Junior Kayleigh Conklin shares, “I personally think that standardized tests do not accurately represent a student. I along with many other students, do not perform well on these tests. Some students are better at things in class and some are better at taking standardized tests.” 

According to The University of South Carolina, students spend an average of 20-25 hours a year taking standardized tests, approximately 112 standardized tests by the time a student graduates high school.

Often standardized tests are used to measure academic performance within the student body as well as the efficiency of the teachers. Testing scores from standardized tests like the SAT and ACT are also used to determine acceptance into certain colleges. 

 Controversial universities like Harvard and Dartmouth are remaining test-optional for tests like the SAT and ACT throughout 2023. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many test centers were closed while students were often fearful of the virus spreading. This led to the shift in many colleges and universities becoming test-optional, which can be beneficial to both students and schools across the country.

Many Teachers are also frustrated with the amount of standardized testing within the school system. Preparing for the tests takes away from valuable classroom time as well as puts undue stress on students. By spending time preparing for standardized tests many life lessons are never taught by teachers. 

CFHS teacher Katlyn Carroll comments, “Not everybody is standard; therefore it is not highlighting some of the brilliancy of students who don’t do well on standardized testing.”

Due to the drastic amount of standardized testing, a student’s mental health may suffer. Spending countless hours studying for tests like the SAT and ACT can lead to depression and increased stress according to the American Psychological Association. 

“I understand having to take some tests, but the excessive testing is too much on students,”adds junior Makayla Palmer.

With increased stress and loss of classroom time, maybe the elimination of standardized testing is the answer. If not eliminated the number of tests per year should be revaluated to address the many concerns of students and teachers.