Can a standardized writing proficiency test define a student’s writing ability?

1. How does the author feel about her writing abilities?

Before taking the standardized writing proficiency test, Shannon Nichols always got A’s in her English classes and she had confidence to pass the test. After she failed the standardized writing test two times, she started to question her writing ability. According to Shannon Nichols “After I failed the test the first time, I began to hate writing, and I started to doubt myself. I doubted my ability and the ideas I wrote about.” She felt conflicted and confused about why she did well in her English class but messed up for the standardized writing test. 

2. How does the author feel about standardized tests?

The author feels the standardized test was challenging because it covers reading, writing, math and citizenship. But she had the confidence to pass it.  When she knew that she passed every part- except writing, she was surprised and disappointed with the result. She tried a second time and failed again. After that she changed her studying attitude in writing. For example, Nichols said “I continued to excel in class and passed the test on the third try. But I never again felt the same love of reading and writing.” Her attitudes from hard working and passion to not being serious in writing. 

3. Retell the author’s journey as a writer.

Shannon Nichols, who lives in Ohio. She was required to take the proficiency test when she was in eighth grade. This test will determine whether she may receive a high school diploma. The test covers reading, writing, math and citizenship. It took her months to prepare for the standardized writing proficiency test and she thought writing was her strength and she was very good at it. Unfortunately, She failed for the writing part. It made her feel disbelief and disappointed. As she passed her honors English class with an A; she surely did well on the writing part. After she picked herself up, she tried to take the test again, but she failed again. It made her start to doubt her writing ability. And she couldn’t figure out what she was doing wrong in her writing in the proficiency test. After that, she changed her attitude about writing and reading. She did take English seriously like before and she did feel the same love of writing and reading. 

4. If you were Mrs. Brown, the author’s English teacher, what would you say when the author asked: “How can I get A’s in all my English classes but fail the writing part of the proficiency test twice?”

If I were Mrs. Brown, I would say “ Proficiency test doesn’t define or reflect your writing ability, getting A’s in the English class showed that you had strong writing skills and ability.” If you need review for you writing test or any writing problem, I am here to help you.

5. Has there been a time in your life when you doubted your abilities as a writer or in general? Explain

 When I was in high school, I was very bad at math. Even though I was very concentrated and took notes during the class. I still got a low score when I took a math test. I wonder why we took the same class and had the same math teacher. My classmates can get high scores on the test. I had disappointed myself. At that time, I didn’t know how to ask for someone’s help. I felt ashamed and I  started to  doubt my learning ability and I was scared to take math class. 

6. How do you feel about your writing abilities?

I think I am still struggling to improve my English writing skills. The good thing is that I am practicing my writing every day now. I am getting more confidence in writing and loving writing now.