STANDARDIZED TEST ARE GOOD FOR EDUCATION
In 2020, Indonesia was shocked by the issue of abolishing the National Examination. Quoting
from Jakarta, CNN Indonesia, Nadiem Makarim (Minister of Education and Culture)
announced that in 2021 the National Examination would be abolished. Even though the
National Examination has been a national standard exam for many years. According to Syeda
(2016), a standardized test is a "standard" or consistent assessment in which all students take
the test with the same questions and time. The application of standardized tests so far reaps the
pros and cons. Many people think that standardized tests need to reflect students' abilities. They
stated that it was unfair to equate the assessment methods of students with different
backgrounds and situations. However, standardized tests create clear and tested standards in all
conditions regarding assessment and question-making. So far, scores from standardized tests
are still valid data nationally and internationally. This is because the standard test has passed
all trials, including validity and reliability tests which makes it accurate. It is, therefore,
essential to reconsider what standard tests do before eliminating them.
Standardized tests do not reflect student abilities. That's what most people think of standardized
test implementations. They stated that the results obtained by students after taking standardized
tests were inaccurate. The reason is students can be influenced by internal and external
conditions that can cause students to not be optimal in doing the test. That assumption may be
true, but only in a small percentage of cases can it be. Each item in the standardized test has
gone through a reliability test. Nathan (2013) defines reliability as accuracy or the extent to
which a person's test score is stable and free from measurement errors. The reliability of a
standardized test can be seen from the stability of student test scores even though the test is
carried out in all conditions. For example, a student takes a math test in an unhealthy condition
and gets a score of 70. Then a week later, the student has to repeat a math test with the same
problem at the same time and is in good health. However, the student still scored 70 on his
second math test. This proves that the test that has passed the reliability test reflects students'
abilities.
Standardized tests create clear standards that are used as official references to a student's ability.
Even so, there are still many people who think that it is unfair to create the same test for every
different individual. In fact, the test makes a valid standard that can be used in all institutions.
Jenkins, J., & Leung, C. (2018) stated that the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
has been used by more universities globally than any other test, which can determine whether
a person will be accepted not at the university. TOEFL is an international standard because it
has been tested for validity. Cureton, EE (1951) states that validity is how well a test does its
job. Validity states the accuracy of a measuring instrument to measure what is being measured.
A standardized test has been tested for validity and has been tested in all kinds of conditions
with different backgrounds. Therefore, it is important for universities to use standardized tests
as student competency standards.
There is still a correlation with validity. Standardized tests also function to guide teachers
regarding the making of teaching materials. In some cases, teachers feel standardized tests limit
their creativity. Teachers must use material under existing curriculum guidelines, even if the
material is considered less attractive to students. In fact, with standardized tests, teachers have
guidelines for achieving learning outcomes. Naeda (2014) defines learning outcome as
maximum results under students' abilities within a certain period. In other words, student scores
on standardized tests are directly proportional to learning outcomes. If there is a case of
decreased learning outcomes because the learning material is less attractive to students, the
teacher must create an active and creative learning strategy. All learning materials will be
interesting for students if the teacher can facilitate learning activities according to what students
want. The application of standardized tests will significantly assist teachers in creating learning
that is active, creative, and has explicit guidelines.
Implementation of standardized tests is good for education. The standard test has been tested
for reliability and validity. A reliability test is an accuracy or extent to which a person's test
score is stable and free from measurement errors. Therefore, standardized tests can identify
students' abilities. Student standardized test results are directly proportional to their
competence from the point of view being tested. A validity test for standardized tests will create
clear standards in terms of scoring and making learning materials. Scoring standards help
institutions such as universities to have clear guidelines about student admissions and
graduation. On the other hand, standards for making learning materials can assist teachers in
creating learning activities that are active, creative, and have clear guidelines.
References
Cureton, E. E. (1951). Validity. In E. F. Lindquist (Ed.), Educational measurement. American Council on
Education., 621–694.
Hanushek, E. A. (2020). Education production functions. . The Economics of Education, 161-170.
Jenkins, J. &. (2018). From mythical “standard” to standard reality: The need for alternatives to
standardized English language tests. Language Teaching, 86-110.
Kaukab, S. R. (2016). History and Evolution of Standardized Testing - A Literature Review.
International of Journal Research - Granthaalayah, 126-132.
Makki, S. (2019, Desember 3). Nadiem Hapus Ujian Nasional Mulai 2021. Retrieved from CNN
Indonesia: https://www.cnnindonesia.com
Nadeak, B. (2014). Learning Achievement of UKI Students Eastern Indonesia. International Journal of
Science and Research, 2319-7064.
Ph.D., N. A. (2013). Reliability & Validity. United States of America: Assessment system.
Ridha, S. O. (2019). An Analysis of TOEFL Score for English Departement Students of STKIP YDB Lubuk
Alung. International Conference on Education.