The Evolution of Standardized Testing

Testing sites have now begun upgrading their network infrastructure to accommodate the increased demand for bandwidth.

Mia Llibre, Editor of The Powderhorn

Across the globe, high school students facedrea ded standardized tests. They wait to be seated in echoed halls where desks are lined in calculated rows and fluorescent lights glare above. This universal experience is not a historical anomaly, with these practices beginning in the mid-19th Century. The historical use of these tests continue to prioritize the principles of educational opportunities: fairness and efficiency. Increased testing and resources has led to global standardized tests like the ACT/SAT and Advanced Placement (AP) exams to shift towards online platforms. 

The December 2023 SAT was the last SAT test offered in paper format. In February of 2024, the ACT began offering an online testing option at select locations nationwide. AP exams had first transitioned to digital in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic ensued but did not resume digital until May 2023 when the College Board provided digital options for 7 of the 38 AP exam subjects. Two years later, College Board discontinued standard paper testing for 28 AP exams and of the 28, 16 turned fully digital and 12 turned to a hybrid digital. 

Not only have these exams changed from paper to digital, key features of these tests have also transitioned to a more technologically advanced approach. The Bluebook application offers enhanced features such as the ability to zoom in and access to the Desmos graphing calculator, which many students report being more user friendly. Overall benefits include an easier transition for students to go from practice to test, quicker response time for questions, flexible writing revision, increased efficiency in test administration, and greater readability of student responses for proctors.

“If it's multiple choice I'm fine with it being on a computer,” said Samuel Broman-Folks, senior. “It's easier to grade and I'm not having to go and look at a separate sheet to bubble it. I just click the answer I want. But for essays it's a little bit harder. It's easier to organize for the graders, but it's not as easy for the people that are taking the test.”

While many students argue that the online tests are more efficient, they also find that traditional paper-based writing offers them a greater opportunity to formulate their ideas and structure them properly. Students who took hybrid exams also criticize that these tests do not have a smooth translation from screen to paper, especially given that the questions are not included in the FRQ (Free Response Question) booklet. As is the case for many students taking math and science AP Exams, accessing reference sheets through a drop menu can be difficult to navigate, and printed reference material is preferred. 

“AP testing on a computer doesn't feel official,” said David Brooks, senior. “It makes me feel like it's not something serious. But on paper it feels more serious and I can visualize everything that I'm doing. When I was taking the AP [English Literature and Composition] test this year, we just closed our computer when we were done. But last year, when we actually had to seal it, I felt like there was more that I had accomplished.”

Morgan Flynt, senior, has also gained a comprehensive overview of the advantages and challenges of traditional and online testing. However, she has a differing outlook to testing based off of her experience taking the paper and online versions of the SAT. 

“Especially with the SAT, they changed up like the reading and writing section, so when I first took it on paper, it was two separate sections, and the paragraphs were a lot longer in the reading, making it a little difficult to like complete the sections,” said Morgan Flynt, senior. “But when I moved to the online version of it, they're together, and the reading sections are a lot smaller, which is also helpful. And I like how online, the test changes based on how well you do.”

A major change for the SAT/ACT online test is that they will both be shortened, in which the digital SAT takes two hours rather than the traditional three hours. The official ACT test prep platform also confirms that starting April 2025, the ACT will offer a shortened version and will allow students to choose whether or not they want to take the science section. 

As more and more students become familiar with online testing platforms, the question of whether this change is advantageous to students or merely more practical for administrators continues. In over 150 years of standardized testing, perhaps we can agree that it is time for a change to the number 2 pencils and paper booklet, and finally leave this approach in the past.