Pens click, knees bounce and students make quick glances towards the clock as they scramble to answer questions correctly, all clear signs of anxiety and stress caused by time-restricted tests. 

As I advance further through my high school career and take more timed standardized and classroom exams, I have begun to see how stressful, unfair and flawed they are. Timed tests have been used as early as the late-1800s and have remained a major part of education ever since. However, just because this practice has been used for decades does not mean it is the most effective way to measure knowledge.

One of the biggest issues surrounding timed testing is its effect on mental health. In a 2018 study, researchers found that students had 15% higher cortisol (the body’s stress hormone) levels on days with timed tests versus without them.

As the world is evolving and becoming more aware of mental health struggles such as anxiety and depression, timed tests are an old practice that are holding society back. Many students are already anxious, and the pressure of a countdown clock only amplifies this stress. Rather than focusing on demonstrating the depth of knowledge of the content, students often prioritize finishing the test in time.

Some may argue that speed-based tests teach students the importance of time management, and while that it is a valuable skill, there are alternative ways to teach it. Since many tests rely heavily on time restrictions, I end up feeling rushed which actually causes me to take longer to process information within the assessment. As an alternative, I feel that multi-day projects and assignments help me practice time management in a much healthier way as they do not create as much stress as timed exams.

At high schools like Algonquin, many teens have packed schedules. Trying to balance challenging classes, extracurriculars and jobs is not an easy task. Adding in the pressure of timed tests can make exams feel less like learning and more like a race. Not all students are the same; some are better at working under pressure while others crack. Evidence has shown that students may try to memorize information (and forget it later!) instead of truly understanding the concepts. As a result, they are unable to think critically during exams, which shows that these tests ultimately measure speed under stress more than actual understanding. 

Supporters of timed exams may claim they prepare students for the “real world,” but that is not completely true. Though there are exceptions, many jobs do not depend on how quickly one can answer a series of questions in an allotted time. Success is more often determined by effort, skill and understanding.

Another flaw of time restricted exams is that they are not fair and equal for all students. Those who are naturally faster test takers automatically have an advantage, whereas students who take longer to process information and understand the question at hand may struggle. 

To be clear, I am by no means saying that schools should eliminate time-restricted testing altogether because managing stress and learning to perform under pressure are important skills to practice. However, they should reconsider how often timed examinations are used and how precisely they measure knowledge and understanding. More reasonable time limitations, lower pressure environments or replacing some exams with long term assignments may allow students to demonstrate what they know more accurately while causing less stress and anxiety.

Education shouldn’t be a race against the clock. Instead, schools should eliminate countdowns and encourage understanding.