Suzie KimStandardized Tests: Are They Really Necessary? How to provide the best education to students is a question that has been debated for decades. The definition of having a “good” education may differ for many: is receiving a satisfactory report card? Is he accepted into an evaluated university? Or does he score adequately on a nationally standardized exam? These exams are becoming more and more popular in various countries. Colleges in the United States are gradually emphasizing the importance of the ACT and SAT; South Korea continues to pressure its students to excel on the academic aptitude test; but Finland, on the other hand, rejects the idea of ​​pushing ahead with these examinations. Tests are used to compare students and schools to others and maintain a consistent way of measuring education levels across a country, but they are mainly used to roughly assess a student's skills. Sometimes a student's future can depend on a single test score. These types of tests can do more harm than good, proving that they are not really necessary for students to be fully educated. Standardized testing, instead of promoting academic success, actually does the opposite by limiting learning and downplaying the importance of characteristics such as individuality and creativity, ultimately having a detrimental effect on students. Standardized exams like the ACT in the United States are mandated in part to motivate students to work harder in school and to promote better education across the country, by categorizing students into different skill levels and distinguishing a few elites. But these tests - or any heavily weighted test comparing students - are not completely rubbish...... middle of paper ...... e educators and a happy environment for students instead of spending so much time and money on standardized tests. tests that will only worry students more. There are certainly ways to improve the system without resorting to standardized exams. It's clear that standardized testing can really harm students by limiting what they learn and how they become innovative and brilliant people and also by discouraging them from having a passion for learning. Finland has proven that it is possible to provide the best possible education without imposing these exams and eliminating aggressive competition. Standardized test scores may mean nothing if students only learn how to perform well instead of actually learning the material and how to succeed in the future, which is the complete opposite of a successful education. Should education really focus on these tests?