Standardized tests serve an important role in the American educational system. In the United States, standardized exams are widely used, with students taking more than 100 of them from kindergarten to 12th grade. According to the College Board, 1.97 Millions students took the SAT exam, which is one of the most important and popular standardized tests. They are used by many institutions to assess student's knowledge, establish college preparation and evaluate academic progress. Standardized exams, which range from early school standards to high-stakes admissions assessments, provide a consistent method for measuring academic ability. Learn more about standardized tests and view a list of tests in the United States below.
What are Standardized Tests?
A standardized exam is an assessment that is administered and evaluated consistently and uniformly for all test takers. This means that all test takers are given the same questions, under the same conditions, and are graded equally. The scores enable comparisons between individuals or groups, resulting in a standardized assessment of performance. In the United States, standardized tests play a significant role in the application process for students. Schools utilize the scores you receive on these examinations to make admissions choices. As a result, they play a crucial role in determining whether or not you are accepted to your preferred institution. There are numerous standardized tests, and each one serves a distinct function.
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List of Standardized Tests used in the United States
Standardized tests are used across various levels and sectors in the United States, including K-12 education, college admissions, graduate school entry, and professional certifications. Common examples include:
| Category | Tests and Examples |
| IQ Tests | Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scales (SB5), Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI), Otis–Lennon School Ability Test, Differential Ability Scales (DAS), Woodcock–Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ) |
| Achievement Tests | Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT), Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement (KTEA), Woodcock–Johnson Tests of Achievement (WJ), Peabody Individual Achievement Test (PIAT-R), Wide Range Achievement Test, 5th Ed. (WRAT-5) |
| Public School Assessments | National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), State achievement tests (required for federal funding), Exit examinations for high school graduation |
| High School Equivalency Tests | General Educational Development (GED), Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) |
| Other Private Tests | ACT, PLAN, EXPLORE, WorkKeys, California Achievement Test, ITBS – Iowa Test of Basic Skills, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, CLT – Classic Learning Test, PSAT/NMSQT, STAR (Early Literacy, Math, Reading), Stanford Achievement Test, TerraNova |
| Secondary School Admissions Tests | ISEE – Independent School Entrance Examination, SSAT – Secondary School Admission Test, HSPT – High School Placement Test, COOP, SHSAT |
| Undergraduate Admissions Tests | SAT, ACT, ACCUPLACER, CLT |
| Graduate/Professional School Admissions Tests | Allied Health Professions Admission Test (AHPAT), Dental Admission Test (DAT), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), Miller Analogies Test (MAT), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Optometry Admission Test (OAT), Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), California Basic Educational Skills Test, Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude (WTMA) |
| Language Proficiency Tests | TOEIC – Test of English for International Communication, TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, IELTS – International English Language Testing System |
| Psychological Tests | 16 Personality Factors, Beck Depression Inventory, Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Revised NEO Personality Inventory, Thematic Apperception Test |
| Professional Certification Tests | Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), COMLEX-USA (osteopathic physicians), EPPP (Clinical Psychology), Fundamentals of Engineering (FE), NCLEX-PN/RN (Nurses), PRAXIS (Teacher certification), Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) |
| Armed Forces Tests | ASVAB (entry into military), AFOQT, ASTB (officer entry) |
Conclusion
Standardized tests serve as a critical tool for evaluation within the U.S. education system. From large-scale assessments like the NAEP, which measures educational progress nationally, to exams like the SAT and ACT, which are central to the college application process, these tests provide a common metric for evaluating academic abilities. While they play a significant role in admissions tests and evaluating school systems, their use and impact continue to be subjects of ongoing debate.
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