Anxiety of testing

As a sophomore in college I understand the anxiety and frustration that happens when it comes to testing. As a nation there is too much pressure put onto students to pass tests. For example in “What the data doesn’t show”, by Susan Lazear, she talks about a girl named Autumn who wants to become a nurse but is struggling with passing the exams she has to take to receive her diploma. She takes the test over and over again but is still unable to pass, one time she was one point, ONE point away from passing her exam. In the process of studying and testing Autumn had to be put on medication for anxiety.

I had a similar issue in High School around the time of the ACT. I get good grades and I know and understand the material that I am taught but, when it comes to testing I just suck. My junior year of high school was insane. I felt so much pressure to do my best and get the best score I could but for me it was a constant struggle of being able to show what I actually know. I had ACT prep classes and books to help me prepare for the ACT but it still didn’t help when it went to take the exam. I was eventually put on medication also for anxiety. I ended up taking the ACT eight times. Even my last score wasn’t where I wanted it to be but I saw no hope in it rising anymore.

I think that it is disgusting how much pressure we put on students with standardized testing. The fact that these exams put so much pressure on students makes me so sad. All the tiny breakdowns and panic attacks just for a test isn’t worth it.

To me I feel like standardized testing also takes the fun out of teaching. Teachers can’t do what they want with topics they bring into their classroom because they have to focus on making sure students are ready for exams. I really hope that this importance of standardized testing is just a trend that will pass and eventually all of us as a nation see the negative effect it is having on young students.