As a student, SATs are one of the most stressful and overwhelming tests to ever prepare for.
Although SATs are designed to provide a standardized measure of a student’s academic abilities, SATs are unnecessary because the standardized tests may not accurately reflect a student’s true abilities and potential.
A student can be brilliant and very smart but not a good test taker, which is commonly found in many students. The SATs primarily test a student’s ability to perform well on a specific type of exam, rather than their overall academic skills or potential for success in college.
Another problem with SATs is that they can create stress as well as a lot of pressure for students. The intense focus on achieving high scores can lead to anxiety and have a negative impact on mental health.
Students can feel very overwhelmed by the weight placed on a single test, which can hinder their ability to perform at their best.
SATs don’t show a student’s true abilities academically; they only show results from a test that a student could have tested poorly on due to the stress of the test itself.
Some students may not perform well when testing, especially when under pressure — even if they are knowledgeable and capable. This can create an unfair disadvantage for those students and limit their opportunities for college admissions.
The SATs don’t tend to accurately measure a student’s potential for success in college; for instance, the factors of work ethic, creativity, and critical thinking skills are not fully captured by these exams.
Colleges and universities are increasingly recognizing the limitations of standardized tests and are adopting test-optional policies to consider a broader range of factors in the admissions process.