By Madeline Bailey
Managing Editor

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]AT. ACT. PSAT. PLAN. ASVAB. EOC. Common Core. Chemistry test. Biology test. Algebra II test. English test. Spanish test. Permit test. Driving test. Concussion test. Calculus test. World History test. Practice test. Pre-test. AP tests.

With all this testing, one could understand why students here and across the state question the number of tests they take.

“I feel like the school expects us to do our senior project, keep up with all our other classes, do well on the SAT and ACT and get a good night’s sleep too,” senior Molly Weybright said. “It’s hard to keep up with everything.”

Each week, the average student has multiple tests, whether it is just a simple math test or something as important as the SAT. Students are always studying for things, according to Weybright. Some students think testing has gone over-the-top since Common Core standards were put into place last year.

“The amount of testing we do at the end of the year is pretty excessive, and it’s pretty pointless because the tests are easier than anything we do in class during the year,” junior Matthew Gray said. “It got worse with Common Core because we no longer have exemptions.”

On the other hand, some students do not mind testing. They believe that it is simply another judge of their academic capabilities.

“I think it’s hard to reflect academic ability on just one test,” senior Dewey Wise said. “That being said, the SAT and ACT are at least an attempt to measure your ability.”

On Oct. 16, sophomores took the PLAN test, while juniors took the PSAT. Counselor Lisa Wheless made videos to explain the scoring of these tests and their importance. Students had varying opinions about the tests.

“I took the PLAN test and I have taken the SAT before,” sophomore Ian Kenny said. “I think that timed tests like these are valuable in preparing for the SAT because they help with time management and just giving you an idea of the content that will be on the actual SAT.”

This school administers the SAT six times a year. In the spring, juniors have an opportunity to take the ACT during school.

Recent studies suggest that the SAT is not as popular as the ACT, according to an article by NYTimes.com titled “Testing, Testing: More Students are Taking Both the ACT and SAT.” It has also been proven that it is less effective in college admissions, according to Joseph Soares, author of “SAT Wars: The Case for Test-Optional Admission”.

High school GPAs can be more useful determining if a student is ready for college, some experts say. Recently, Wake Forest University (WFU) switched to test-optional admissions. According to WFU Admissions, more students in the top 10 of their class apply to WFU now. Students believe this switch reflects their true values.

“I think taking the SAT was probably one of the most stressful things I have ever had to do and I think my scores were affected by that,” senior Danielle Compean said. “I think colleges should look more into grades and not base such a large percentage of acceptance on test scores.”

In the future, testing does not seem likely to go away. If the SAT is taken away, it is likely to be replaced by a similar test, according to Soares. As for the Common Core standards now in place, these will most likely stay for a while since they were added last year.

“I believe if teachers teach the curriculum the test will take care of itself,” English teacher Jane Shipman said. “It’s neither a burden nor a necessary evil.”

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