The only way to pass any test is to take the test?

Question

What do you think about it? Why?

Answer 1

It depends on the test. If you are talking about "high-stakes" tests, then that is not a good response. WA State's "high-stakes" test is the WA Assessment of Student Learning (aka "WASL") and the scoring is very subjective. What one person may consider correct, another person may say "No way!" (Just think of the hanging chads on the Florida election ballot--was it supposed to count or not?) Plus, scoring errors on tests (not just the WASL) are frequently high, leading some people to flunk the test when actually, the person passed it (and vice versa--a person being told that he/she passed the test when he/she actually failed it). The testing company, Pearson Educational Management (part of Pearson PLC), was sued for incorrect scoring of students' tests in several states, which led to the wrongful withholding of many high school diplomas. (There are several cases of mismanagement of tests by Pearson; the one below is just one article about it.)

I would not take just any "test." It has to be something related to what I desire and believe in, like my driver's license or something related to job experience. However, when it comes to high-stakes tests, like the WASL or the FCAT or other tests "required" by some states before a diploma is given, then I'll pay the $525 for the diploma offered by NARHS (North American Regional High School) when I transfer my child's transcript!

Answer 2

You can't know much about something until you've experienced it, and I completely agree.