TCAP testing is very important. It helps the government know how the students of Colorado schools are doing. It helps them know where they are with all their subjects, the weak points and strong points. Based on TCAP scores, teachers know where they need to focus more to help their students. You can be held back if you don't pass TCAP's. The rules are very strict. The problem with the strict rules is that students feel even more pressure for the test, because everything is so serious. The more pressure or stress you feel, the harder it is to think. On the other hand, if the rules weren't so strict, there may be some cheating, and therefore would not be an accurate gauge of where the students are.