Standardized gym tests ensure that kids can meet and exceed goals

By Emma DeSanty ’25

Standardized fitness testing has been around for years. Most will remember tests like the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (P.A.C.E.R), sit and reach, the push up and curl up tests from when they were young and in gym class. 

These standardized tests are mandated in every school in the state and all students in grades 4, 6, 8, and one year in high school are required to take these tests unless they have a medical excuse. 

I believe that tests like these challenge the health and fitness of students and allow them to compete with the others and the goals set by the test itself. These tests are beneficial for students because they keep them active and help them with fitness. 

Tests like the PACER, the mile (which is a PACER alternate), sit and reach, curl up, and push up all challenge students in different ways. Each test is evaluated by age and gender which is beneficial to the students because as they get older, it gives them a new goal to hit. This creates competitiveness and a sort of excitement for those wanting to keep pushing themselves each year during these tests every year. 

The PACER or the mile tests challenge the endurance of students and the time for running from line to line decreases the higher you go. This challenges the endurance of the student testing which is beneficial when it comes to fitness. The sit and reach measures the flexibility of a student by seeing how far they can reach down their leg with their arm. The push up test targets upper body muscle strength and endurance. This allows students to work on gaining muscle and working towards getting as many push ups as they can. Lastly, the curl up targets abdominal strength and endurance. 

Each test has a certain amount that a person of that age and gender should surpass. This allows students to compete and challenge themselves in a physical way. Being able to push yourself to meet goals is something that is very beneficial in life and something that is put to use when taught at a young age. Having these tests mandated at a young age helps kids learn to meet and exceed goals from a young age and learn how to push themselves from elementary school and on.