Technically, we are expected to attend and complete 13 to 14 years of school with the exception of both kindergarten and pre-school. According to studies, kids, starting at the age of 10-years old begin worrying about the most stressful topic of their life before actually starting their life, the SAT and ACT and their preparation for college.
From experience, what I’ve failed to realize is, under what circumstances is the purpose of school or the purpose of these two test related? The relation between these test are far from any final exam, which is accumulative of what was learned over the year. It is neither over a student’s four years of high school, nor their entire school career in general. There are kids who have busted their butts they’re entire lives that have spent same amount of time in school as most students and either attempt to over-prepare their selves or fail to prepare at all. Honestly, there’s no in between for these test. As you start high school, and for some students it’s in middle school, students are told to prepare for these test but to later on be told that there really is no way to “prepare” yourself. There is no technique or strategy or secret code. For the most part either you know it or you don’t.
Not in all cases, but if a student excelled to the highest point possible but fails to meet the expectations of their dream college because of their low test score then are they not qualified enough? I am aware that there are students that can possibly be accepted into their school of choice even though they may have not met the expectations of the standardized test but it is not a great amount, and it is not common. From counselors, teachers, parents and those who actually did exceptionally well on the test you hear a lot of “oh don’t worry. You’ll do fine.” “Don’t stress yourself out about it” and “You’ll get into your college”. Encouragement is fine but it only works for so long, or until reality hits and the stress kicks back in.
It’s easy to say don’t judge a book by its cover, or to give someone the benefit of the doubt but that same advice doesn’t apply to an Ivy League school when you only scored an 1100 on the SAT but 1750 is required, disregarding your 4.0 GPA. College shouldn’t be based on the score of test that is nearly impossible to prepare for. The scores of students should be taken into consideration more than it is. There’s only so many college acceptances that are based on everything but the scores of students. In my perspective, the test scores aren’t always sufficient and shouldn’t determine a persons path for their future.
