COVINGTON TWP, Pa., Oct, 25, 2024 – Some students have a hard time just taking a regular test in an everyday classroom, but taking a standardized test is a totally different environment. Juniors and seniors hate the time of year where SATs come around. They feel like their whole education relies on one test.
From the guidance perspective, Mrs. Maripat O’Donnell is not the biggest fan of the SATs. She sees the way they affect students. She stated, “absolutely not, there is no correlation between SAT and how the students do on the college level.” She thinks that students should not have to cram everything they know into a two hour test. She doesn’t like to see her students stressed out during the time of year when everyone has to take a test.
When Mrs. O’Donnell was asked if colleges should make them mandatory she replied with “No, one test has absolutely no say on how they can perform on a college level. It is a totally different environment and they should not prepare just by taking a test.” She then elaborated on how there is no correlation between how a college class is and a singular test. Even though not all colleges ask for an SAT score, Mrs. O’Donnell thinks none should. If they can see your grades, that can show how a student works in the classroom.
While on the student perspective, senior Dominic Weidow thinks SATs are a good thing and that colleges should ask for them. He stated, “I think it’s good to see how they average on an academic basis.” Even though Dom thinks that taking them is a good idea, he doesn’t like the fact that students have to pay almost $70 to take a test. “I feel like the state should cover the cost not only because colleges require them, but also because college itself is so expensive and that just adds on.” He then continued to explain how the SATs are beneficial because they show how students can perform on a timed test and how they manage to get everything done.
Even though Dom and Mrs. O’Donnell share two opposite opinions, the SATs are still required for schools. Paying for them, and having to pay for college can be a lot for a student. Considering if students don’t do great, they still have to pay again to retake them. Whether students want to attend college or not, they are still a big part of a high schooler’s life. It may not affect them, but it could affect the people and environment around them with everyone being overwhelmed about a standardized test.
Dominic Weidow Mrs. Maripat O’Donnell
Photo Credits: Charley Carucci Photo Credits: Charley Carucci
