Students sound off on standardized exams

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Hannah Bisagni, a sophomore at Westhampton Beach High School, practices taking a standardized test.
Photo by Augusta Greenbaum

Standardized tests are: A) Given to kindergartners entering Westhampton Beach Elementary School; B) A major factor in determining acceptance to college; C) Something that can be prepared for; Or D) All of the above.

While “D” is the obvious and correct choice, the answers to questions on standardized tests are not always as easy.

Students who attend Westhampton Beach schools, from kindergarten through the twelfth grade, could take more than 40 standardized tests during their academic careers. These tests range from the English Language Arts Assessment exam to the SATs, and vary in difficulty and importance. Standardized tests are administered not only locally, but to students all over America and, in some cases, around the world.

There are two main types of standardized tests: exams that are given to make sure that students are learning what they are supposed to, and college aptitude tests. Tests like the SAT provide a universal comparison between students because these tests are not subject to grade inflation or deflation.

Jane Flinter, an English teacher at Westhampton Beach High School, said while there are many standardized exams, only one test compares apples with apples. “The SATs are the only thing that levels the playing field because the kids from California to New York are taking the same test,” she said.

The standardized tests that are being given to elementary school children are important because they are used to make sure that teachers are accountable and meeting federal “No Child Left Behind” standards. The legislation requires that individual states develop ways to assess the basic skills of students if the states are to continue receiving federal funding. There is no national achievement standard, however.

Griffin Schultz and Robert “Bo” Gansrow, two fifth-graders in the district, said they are not intimidated by the standardized tests. Griffin considers himself a good test taker and studies for upcoming exams. His said his hard work usually pays off.

“These tests are pretty easy,” Griffin said.

Robert attributes his success on standardized exams to his love of reading and writing, and to his test-taking strategies, such as the process of elimination.

“I think of it just like any other test that I take in school,” he said.

Isidora Petmil, an eighth-grader at Westhampton Beach, said the standardized tests she has taken so far have not been too bad. They have been “fair enough, since you do not have to study for them.”

But she admits to being concerned about the looming and harder high school standardized tests. “I’m worried about not doing well, since they are so important,” said Isidora, adding that she is lucky that she has plenty of time to prepare for her upcoming PSAT and SAT.

Hannah Bisagni, a sophomore, recently took a school-administered practice PSAT. Though she took that exam “cold turkey,” she plans to be ready for the real thing.

Neal Ebrus, another 10th-grader, said the PSAT “only tests certain parts of the brain. They test your knowledge of English and math, but they don’t test your knowledge of science.”

Neal, who participated in the Princeton Review preparation program that his school offered, said the tests are important for those students who plan to continue their eduction. “You have to do well on standardized tests to get into a good college,” he added.

Brandon Pereyra, another sophomore, said he knows the exams are important, but he cares more about his GPA than his standardized tests.

Brie Ostreicher, a junior, said the key to scoring well on the state exams is studying. “Preparing months ahead of the test is really important,” she said.

Brie noted that the questions asked on standardized exams are fair because “they are based on logic.” She said she likes the multiple-choice component of the tests, even though some students describe the format as “multiple guess.”

Standardized tests have become staples in the lives of students. Like it or not, these tests are not going away. So students need to make sure that their No. 2 pencils are sharpened, that they closely read all the directions, and that they keep a close eye on the clock.