SAT should not dictate student’s futures

For as long as I can remember, I have been forced to take standardized tests in school to “measure my learning.” But, now I’m a junior and must take a standardized test that will decide if I get accepted into colleges next year, or potentially how much I earn in scholarships.

Each year, more colleges are taking the SAT off the list for college admission. There are over 1,000 colleges on the list including, New York University, Arizona State, and University of Chicago (Prepscholar.com). So, the question is, why are some colleges taking this off the required list for admission?

The SAT is not an accurate way to measure the intelligence of a student. The SAT is a test that measures your knowledge in reading and writing, math, and (very minimally) science and social studies. There are no questions specified for a students whose major is outside of these subjects. A student interested in the arts or a CTE program may not be as good in the tested areas, and they shouldn’t be punished with a low score, which could affect their college acceptance, if they are not entering into that career.

The SAT also cannot measure how prepared a student is for college. College readiness depends on many outside factors, such as timeliness, determination, and work ethic. These factors are much more important to help decide if a student will succeed in college. High school GPA is also a more reliable tool to see if a student is prepared for college. It measures a student’s work over a four-year time span rather than a four-hour-long test.

This test is also very coachable. There are books, classes, and tutor session all dedicated towards improving SAT scores. These types of classes put students with a lower household income at a disadvantage. Not all students have the opportunity to these free materials, and SAT preparation materials can cost hundreds of dollars, leaving those who can’t afford it helpless.

In conclusion, the SAT is not an accurate way to measure a student’s intelligence or college readiness. Each year, more colleges are allowing students to choose whether or not they want to submit their score, and all colleges should switch to this idea.