Standardised testing - should it be abandoned?

When we provide an array of alternative methods for students to be assessed, we believe we are doing a good thing. We are veering away from the archaic standardised 'one size fits all' approach and are providing students with the opportunity to demonstrate their learning in a way that works well for them. This makes them comfortable in the learning process and increases motivation. 

This seems like a great idea, a pedagocically justifiable idea, to be encouraged. I have just been  wondering about the pendulum swinging too far from traditional assessment techniques. Of course it is great to have a variety of ways for students to be assessed and we should embrace those so as to provide choice but don't we also need to find ways to motivate them to do the things that are necessary but that they don't like doing? ...like tests? Learning is not always comfortable and we as teachers want to make it comfortable so students gain confidence and increase motivation, however, it can be particularly uncomfortable for a student if he/she is unprepared for the pressure of written exams in secondary school if they have been provided too much opportunity to opt out of that style of assessment. Too much is probably the key phrase...are we chucking the proverbial baby out with the bath water?