Why Standardized Tests Include Mathematics?

One of the long-term solutions for solving socio-economic problems of a country is by having well educated citizens who are proactive in establishing strong continuous emancipation pillars which will be fanatically transmitted to future generations. If we consider the educational system, we perceive that such an approach can be best observed among developed nations. If we meticulously analyze the developed nations, we realize that almost all of them have very advanced either elementary, high school, or university (at least one of them) educational systems.

These countries have managed to create such advanced educational systems by continually supporting educational institutions either through funding or innovative policies. To understand why countries do so, unquestionably, it would take us a book to elaborate it. However, what is highly important is that educational institutions at the developed countries, especially at the university level, are highly dedicated at creating successful generations who will become the true representatives of their quality. All those universities aim to be presented by successful scientists, Nobel Prize winners, country-runners, etc.

To be able to create successful generations, almost all universities require from the potential students to enter standardized tests. College Boards or other entitled institutions have created standardized tests to expand access to education. It is highly interesting that almost all standardized tests whether high school, undergraduate, or graduate examinations include Mathematics section. The question is why. Why Mathematics remains such an important topic that it must be included in almost every standardized test?

No matter what profession we choose, we are all required to have some logic and critical thinking skills. It is expected of us to address issues logically and practically. A considerable knowledge of Mathematics, most importantly, provides us the skills of thinking critically and creatively. Moreover, it provides us with the knowledge of analyzing data, solving problems, recognizing evidences, posing hypotheses, developing and analyzing experiments, ad constantly seeking for new information.

All these skills are highly necessary not only for mathematics, engineering, or statistics fields, but also for every other subject, including social sciences. A solid knowledge of mathematics, provides people the possibility of better observing, analyzing, managing, and evaluating any decision highly impacted decision either for themselves or the society in general.

Considering all the attributes that Mathematics provide to people, entitled institutions like College Boards, have decided to make Mathematics the core section in almost all the standardized tests. It is up to us to study Mathematics and attain the required skills which would enable us to become part of the best universities in the world.