Someone trying to get into a desired college must first undergo a series of test that will give the institution some information about the student who is applying. They don't know this student from another and because some schools require a certain GPA or score on their SAT's as a way of singling out who they will consider, it really helps the school save a lot of time. However, is this an affective way of finding the best students that will be able to handle their curriculum and is it unknowingly turning away students that have the potential to be great?
Entrance exams do help the schools save a lot of time finding students they believe will be a good fit for their campuses. The test can tell a university or college who is paying attention in class retaining the information that is being given or also tell them who is staring at the walls day dreaming of what they will be doing tonight. There is no doubt that the test do help find those particular students.
However, there are many factors that are cannot be seen by these institutions that maybe would cause them to turn away a good prospect. If a student did not get along with their teachers or if other students made it difficult for them to concentrate or if the student has what we now know as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and simply needs medication to help them tap into their potential. Not all high schools fit a student just like not all students would fit at a University. It is something that could never be known.
Giving entrance exams is definitely a safe way of ensuring that good students will study at their schools but maybe other factors should be included. Aptitude test or IQ test could be used also to see if a struggling student at a high school has the potential of being a great student. It would cost more but it would also give someone a chance to better themselves then to be led to believe that they will never amount to anything and struggle for the rest of their lives.
In conclusion, entrance exams are a good thing to have but shouldn't be the only factor in selecting students. Since money is the driving force of any company, including colleges and universities, the weight will fall upon their shoulders as to whether or not they will spend theirs to give other students a chance to prove themselves to the schools and themselves.
