The inaccuracy of standardized tests makes them an unreliable means to test and compare students. The ability for students and teachers to easily cheat makes the reliability of standardized tests even lower. Standardized tests do not help students learn, nor do they help teachers teach better. The amount of time spent on standardized tests hinders the time students have to learn. There are alternatives to standardized testing that work better. Overall, standardized tests should not be used as much as they are. Education is one of the prime concerns of the coming millennium, as it should be. But if we keep making conclusions based on an inaccurate, overly time-consuming measure of assessment, the road to the future may come to a dead end. Standardized tests are a wrong turn for education reform. Let's turn around and get back on course to a better tomorrow.