HOW I FEEL ABOUT STANDARDIZED TESTS
Over the years, I’ve been very skeptical about tests, exams & competitions especially for judging musical skill. “Just because you do well on a test, it doesn’t mean you are smart” as many smart alec kids would say as an excuse to not do their homework. While I don't completely disagree with this, there isn’t much of an alternative to measure someone’s ability for certain subjects. I guess these things are the necessary evil.
Ever since I got on board to encourage students to participate in the NYSSMA/ABRSM exams I always say that “you have to play the game the right way to win”. Kids like games so I use this metaphor a lot. “If you don’t play by the rules. You won’t score high. If you want a good score you have to follow their rules and play the game correctly.”
It's really pretty simple.
The whole propaganda of “it looks good on a college resume” or “It’s a good opportunity for students to be judged by pros” and scoring well on these tests are “something to work towards”. My biggest reason for encouraging students though is more beyond the music education scope.
The students who do well and score high will obviously be happy with their achievement for the students and the parents, teachers and school staff would be genuinely ecstatic for them. Hopefully, they will learn such lessons as "preparation is key" or "be humble and don’t let your ego get the best of you". "Expect the unexpected" or "better safe than sorry" is also a key lesson to be taught. For example, I prepared all my students with sight-reading examples that are one level harder than the level they are taking as a way to sort of prepare them for the worst.
If the students didn't score as high as they hoped many people would be disappointed no doubt about it. The kid will be crushed, depressed and the parents either would feel for their poor souls or actually be quite disappointed as well and even angry and mad towards the student or even at the teacher too. It can induce a lot of negative vibes for sure.
But we have to remember that this is just some classical-based niche guitar exam that means practically nothing in merit (don’t tell that to the parents!)
I think it is a great experience to learn and experience "failure" and how to deal with it after the fact. There maybe some risks that I will lose a student because they get so upset with their results but it is a risk I am willing to take for the sake of the children. It is a great way to also listen to constructive criticism and learn to adapt and adjust to improve and do better the next time around. It is certainly better than everyone getting a participation trophy at the end. We need to teach our future generation to survive on their own and not get used to being spoon fed all the time.
This year all my students did very well on their NYSSMA exams!
7 of my students took it which is a record for me. Of course, WAAAY more piano & violin students in my school took the exams but 7 is not too shabby for a Guitar teacher who had no formal training in Classical Guitar!
2 of my students had a "meh" kind of reaction because they were one point off from scoring an “outstanding”.
One of them, I was a little shocked he didn't do better. Actually, he is the one who inspired me to write this post. He looked quite disappointed and I felt bad for him when he told me the results but at the same time he is still so young and he's got a lot going for him already. His parents are also super supportive, loving and are they're not the kind who expect perfect scores on everything their child does.
For Next year I’m shooting for 10 students to take the NYSSMA exams. I would love it if I can encourage more students!
I look forward to another year of teaching my students not just the joys of guitar playing but also to prepare them for their future by throwing in a healthy dose of life lessons through music.
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