John Doe

Professor Jane Doe

English 101 Section XXXX

Basic Argument

14 July 2019

Keep the Number Away!

Introduction: (GRABBER) Many of us hate the day when we are ushered into a room and told to sit there and wait for the word: “Begin.” We look at the blank piece of paper and wish that it would fill up with the right kind of answers .  (Background) Test taking, the process by which students are given a form of measure to test their knowledge on a particular subject has long been the way by which individuals are judged to be qualified for a degree, job or some form of position. But there is much debate about the usefulness of the information obtained.  (THESIS) The dangers of test taking can be examined by looking at examples of the pressure associated with the event, changes in behavior and the negative effects we will see the potential pitfalls that can be encountered by people because of placing so much emphasis on a single number.

Evidence 1: (TOPIC SENTENCE-TIES TO THESIS POINT) Many people have been in that room and felt the pressure that test taking can place on an individual . This physical and psychological pressure results in a portrayal of knowledge that may not be an accurate indication of what a person truly knows about a subject. (SOURCE INTRODUCTION) Dr. White, from the Test Research Center at the University of Kansas with a doctorate in Education with a focus on evaluation and simulation of testing environments  states, “Stressed by time and other constraints of the testing environment, students are forced into a performance that does not accurately reflect correctly what could be produced in a non-stressed environment and therefore results in skewed and inaccurate results .”  (TIES BACK TO THESIS POINT) This statement suggests the effect that the pressure can have on an accurate test result.   (GREATER PURPOSE OR LARGER CONCERN OF PAPER) However these results are used as a benchmark for further education and employment and can set an individual on a path that they may not be able to change.

Evidence 2: (TOPIC SENTENCE-TIES TO THESIS POINT) Behavior is often a true gauge of measurement as to effectiveness of a methodology.  (SOURCE INTRODUCTION) Researcher John Smith of Yake University, a professor of twenty years of standing, publishing credits known for unbiased and careful assertions and possessing a PhD in testing and certifications recently studied a class testing environment . It was noted by a team of researchers under his supervision that when studying the testing environment that “a student’s behavior changed significantly once they entered the testing room,” (Smith). Further, prior to entering the room and before the test began, conversation exchange was fluid and dynamic. Once inside the testing area, communication became:  “50% less as well as chaotic and random” (Smith).   (TIES BACK TO THESIS POINT) This data supports that there is some form of communicative breakdown that occurs once a student enters into the perceived testing area and contributes to lower interaction and less positive stimulation and therefore lower test scores. (GREATER PURPOSE OR LARGER CONCERN FOR PAPER) Once again we can see how the score or assigned number can injure a person’s self-esteem when dealing with a test of knowledge leading to further damage of their psyche.

Evidence 3: (TOPIC SENTENCE-TIES TO THESIS POINT) If there was any doubt about the negative affect that test taking can have on an individual’s performance the research has shown otherwise . (SOURCE INTRODUCTION) In tests conducted by Dr. Jones, a senior member and scholar emeritus of the Holmes and Jamison Institute, a leading research facility in the United States for the past twenty-five years : “3 out of 5 students performed higher in knowledge and ability when they were in a stress free environment” (Jones). (TIES BACK TO THESIS POINT) In further studies, it was also suggested that once the parameters for the testing had been changed more students performed not only above the “anticipated range but even 25% higher” (Jones).  (GREATER PURPOSE OR LARGER CONCERN FOR PAPER) These tests suggest that the removal of the stressful environment not only helps but also raises the level of performance and thereby giving a more accurate depiction of student knowledge and ability.

Conclusion : (RESTATE MAIN IDEA OF PAPER-THESIS) Test taking has long been the measure by which we judge the intelligence and capability of people. Yet the question looms as to whether or not this is the most effective way in which to measure potential achievement.    (SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE) As shown through experience of students, the observation of researchers and other studies performed on this area, many will agree that the current system has problems in that one test does not always reflect a true measurement of ability of a person. We see much better performance when the stressful environment has been removed and student are allowed to interact and communicate freely with testers . (CRITICAL THINKING-GREATER EFFECT) Until we remove the false parameters that testing is conducted under then we continue to live a lie and allow knowledge and talent to be disregarded and loss hopes for a prosperous future all because of a single number.

(Don’t forget your works cited list!)