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To the Editor: 

I am sympathetic with the many teachers who have argued against standardized tests. However, I should like to point out that large groups of professionals that we all need and mostly trust are the products of systems replete with standardized tests– namely physicians and nurses. 

As a physician I took a standardized test to get into medical school (the MCAT). To get my license I took three standardized national tests at various places along with my training and would not be able to get a license anywhere without having passed these. As a specialist I have taken a standardized test every ten years in my field and would not be able to practice without such a test. 

And as a teacher of medical students it is helpful for me to know that my interns and residents have all passed certain tests and have the same core knowledge that I can count on.  

Naturally we want our doctors to be tested and certified. This tells us that we can rely on a certain amount of knowledge on their part. 

And so I ask, if it works for doctors (and of course, other professionals) why does it not work for students in high school?  

-Gessica Johnston  

Berkeley