Seriously? The whole problem with testing is that teachers end up teaching to a test rather than teaching for the sake of passing on knowledge and inspiring students to enjoy their education. Looking back on my grade school experience, the classroom was always a warm environment. Education seems so cold and manufactured now.
NYC high schools are not like most high schools in the US. Anyways all these standardized testing sucks but its one of the few things that colleges look at when they decide to let you in. I agree that we should look at other things besides testing but we sort of do already.
Also I think you're mixing up the practice testing with an actual classroom setting.
and I can't at people saying tests aren't that reflective Sure, it's not the end all, be all, but tests are more like real life and the real world. The real world isn't going to throw a task at you and determine how to evaluate you based on your gender or race. You just have to get sh*t done and done right.
That's why preparing for tests/studying is as important as the grade. No one can help how smart they are, but they can all help how prepared they are to face whatever it is they have to face.
Sure, it's not the end all, be all, but tests are more like real life and the real world. The real world isn't going to throw a task at you and determine how to evaluate you based on your gender or race. You just have to get sh*t done and done right. 
If its too long then DON'T COMMENT 