We have standardized testing in addition to grades in the United States. They tend to have their own problems. Foremost among them is that most tests are design

We have standardized testing in addition to grades in the United States. They tend to have their own problems. Foremost among them is that most tests are designed to be efficiently and objectively graded, which limits the scope of the test. But, standardized testing really is an entirely separate subject. The only further point I'll add on it is an anecdote. One of my friends told me that the college he went to decided at some point that they think the SAT is stupid and they should stop using it as a basis for admissions. In order to get an idea of students' math performance, they would instead submit one (1) graded math test that they had taken in high school. Obviously, most students submitted the highest score they had achieved, which was usually the easiest test they had taken. Some students actually had the integrity to submit tests with mediocre scores but which nonetheless demonstrated significant understanding of the concepts. One poor professor had to review these tests, and decided admission based on them. He, quite properly, gave stronger recommendations for students in the second category, who submitted harder tests with lower scores. Politics ensued, and there was no happy ending.