Caroline Snider and Ricky Kai

R4

Life Altering Tests

“We knew what is meant. An SS would examine us. Whenever we found someone extremely frail-
a “Muselman” was what we called those inmates- he would write down his number: good for the
crematorium.”(Wiesel 70)

Complete silence and anyone who talks will be punished. We had been preparing for this
day the entire year. Our teachers, parents, and us passing the grade all depend on how well we
perform. Anxiety is high as we wait for the test to come out. Many grueling hours pass by as we
fill in rows and rows and rows of the scantron. Chained to the chair and unable to escape from
what seemed like an eternity. Hundreds of hungry children staring at mind-numbing words
dreading being alive. This describes some of the emotions that students have to go through when
they take a test. When we were reading the book night, we stumbled across quotes that reminded
us of standardized testing in schools. We found that this quote was similar to some of the things
we experience at school very often. Standardized testing is a controversial topic that was been up
for debate ever since it was implemented. In our society, standardized testing is very common in
schools. While testing is meant to measure a student’s ability, it is usually seen as stressful and
gives anxiety to students. So much depends on how well you perform. For example, you could
be forced to repeat the entire grade, just because you had a bad day. The tests that the Jews took
had more at stake and were more threatening but the ideas and concepts were the same thing.
While the students might be tested on knowledge that they have learned, the Jews had their
bodies examined and how fit they were. Both of these scenarios really had one main goal. That
goal is to string out the ones that can’t keep up with the work or fit the criteria. While school is
supposed to be welcoming and friendly, the idea of these tests are intimidating. The test and
scores also create a competitive environment. If you can’t meet the goals, you are seen as below
average and a failure.