Psychological Testing Free Essay Example, 1250 words

The executive director of the SAT test declared that the question is about pop culture and it was just a fair question to ask. People may have differing opinions on this matter. However, it sort of emphasizes the point that the scope of the exam is not widely discussed publicly, since topics such as this causes surprise from parents of test-takers (Steinberg, â€Å"For SAT Test-Takers†). Still, the presence or absence of the information is not the main topic of this paper. The issue on how necessary these tests are is the area that needs more attention. First, even though newspapers frequently quote the scores of the tests, and several experts believe that this is the best measurement for an individual’s progress, it is not the absolute standard for success (Ryan and Weinstein, 2009, p. 224). Students have endured more and more tests over time, yet discussion on new educational processes are not happening. The tests only force the institutions to push their students t o earn higher grades, but they do not result in providing solutions to the real problems that causes low marks (Harlen, 2002, p. 141). Second, Indian University Professor of Education Roger Farr states that â€Å"multiple-choice questions do not allow students to apply what they can do. † (Klees, 2008, p. 313) Multiple-choice questions usually entail memorization, but no one can actually say that students understand the STANDARDIZED TESTS 4 logic behind their answers. We will write a custom essay sample on Psychological Testing or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Even open-ended questions do not prove to be accurate in gauging the student’s knowledge (Klees, 2008, p. 317). According to one former scorer of SAT-tests, â€Å"reading a paper every few seconds may sound weird but it is easy to put marks even without fully reading the answers†¦there is a bonus once you go above the quota of marked papers. † (Harlen, 2002, p. 142) Here, it is easy to see that the test results may also be questionable, thus increasing the issues surrounding the tests as the basis of educational progress of an individual. Third, high stakes exams cause controversy due to accountability. Coercion and bribery may happen due to the aim to receive high marks for the institution. Teachers can even receive bonuses for good scores, and students may receive perks for acquiring excellent marks. Threats may range from schools losing accreditation or funding for schools, to students refused of diplomas. This is because of the widely-accepted notion that low grades reflect the quality of education a school provides (Carson-Meyers, Bryant, Thomas, and Brinson, 2005, p. 29-34).