Standardized tests can be best when the efficiency of assessing a large number of individuals on a particular topic is a necessity. This is mostly useful to the assessor or grader which may be the instructor of a particular course or someone who is overseeing and teaching hundreds of students at a time. According to Frederick Kelly, standardizing tests were a way to remove subjectivity from the assessment process, and allow for efficient marking, removing chances for variability.

https://newlearningonline.com/new-learning/chapter-10/davidson-a-short-history-of-standardised-tests


On the other hand, they are at their worst when considered from the test-takers' point of view. A standardized test is unable to measure creativity, critical thinking, or other individual talents that a student may possess. The test categorizes students based on a standard set of data and may be considered unreliable for some who are against this form of testing.

https://standardizedtests.procon.org/


The PCAT test is a specialized standardized test in practice. It is designed for Colleges of Pharmacy in order to test student knowledge in pharmacy related subjects such as Math, Science, Writing and Reasoning. The test is also a CBT or computer-based test and relies on the select response method of multiple choice.

The entire test includes 192 multiple choice questions and one writing prompt on the following subjects: Writing, Biological Processes, Chemical Processes, Critical Reading, and Quantitative Reasoning.

Some strengths of the test include the ability to measure candidate accuracy with quantitative questions. As a pharmacist, these standard areas are important for measuring safety, dosages, efficacy of medications, and determining the sensibility of prescribed medications. Pharmacists must use reasoning to determine a number of things, including the possibility of falsified prescriptions, how to interact with and advise patients, and other similar duties. Having a strong math and science background in comparison to others seeking to enter the field is of major importance. As a person who has taken the test, and based on current knowledge of standardization processes, one weakness would lie in the possible writing portion and its limited time. However, these are minimal in comparison to the benefits of this particular test in selecting qualified applicants.

http://pcatweb.info/downloads/about/TestDevelopmentStructure.pdf