Should Placement Tests Occur?

           A placement test is the logical way to gauge what level of education an individual possesses before signing up for classes. Important subjects, such as math and English, are vital if one wishes to flourish in today's society. In a way, colleges put their stamp of approval on each student that enters its doors. The college is held responsible for the educational paths the student takes in order to graduate. If down the road a college graduate student proves to be lacking in the subjects of math or English, all fingers will be pointing at the institution with the question of, "Why didn't this college help this individual have a better grasp of the information?" A placement test is the perfect way to solve this problem.

            One of the greatest aspects about the world is the large diversity of people. No matter where you look, people will be of different race, origin, background, and education level. Therefore, colleges must accommodate such an array of different minds. A college is similar to a mini world, full of people with different ideas and knowledge backgrounds. In order to sort its students out, colleges must use a placement test for all incoming students.

           If five random students were chosen from a major university, the chances are fair that each student came from a different high school or secondary school. In order to keep all students on the same plan of success, they must be tested in specific areas in order to assess their level of knowledge. It would simply not be fair to assume all incoming freshman had the same high school quality in math and English. All schools and teachers vary with different teaching strategies, so colleges have to plan accordingly to make sure each students is set on the best path to success. Failure to not have placement tests will only hurt the students in the long run.

        Without placement tests, students that lack in subjects, such as math and English, will have a difficult road ahead of them. In order to do well in upper level classes, the basics need to be mastered. No new information can build off of a weak foundation. The purpose of placement tests is to put students in classes which make those foundations rock solid. As a result, the more difficult classes will be easier to understand, and the student will be more likely to succeed. 

       With today's economy and fast pace world, more people are wanting to obtain college degrees. Individuals want better lives for themselves, and want to be able to provide for the ones they love. Going to college is the best way to make that dream a reality. The first step is to take the placement test and see where they belong. Students will be placed in classes in which they will flourish, and classes where foundations will be perfected. With so many different backgrounds, all students must be placed on an educational plan in order to guarantee a smart, successful, and functioning member of society on graduation day.