Crossfire: Should We Get Rid of the SAT?
SAT scores show disparities by income and race. Should colleges junk it? Photo: Hala Hassan
‘YES’
By JASON HUANG
For decades, the SAT has been a staple in the college admissions process. In recent years, however, colleges like NYU, Cornell, and Columbia University have made the test optional. This has renewed a debate over whether the SAT is an adequate tool for evaluating a student's readiness for college. There are many factors that come into play, but in the end, the SAT should be phased out.
Statistics show that there is a disparity in average SAT scores between different races. According to the College Board's 2022 SAT score report, Asian American students had the highest average score at 1229, followed by white students at 1098, Hispanic students at 964, and Black students at 926.
These disparities can often be linked to underlying financial disparities that exist within these communities. According to the Census Bureau, Asians had the highest median household income at $99,622, followed by whites at $78,912, Hispanics at $58,015, and Blacks at $48,175.
The reason why income is a big problem is because of economic opportunity. Those in higher income brackets are able to afford personal tutoring and prep. According to The New York Times, group preparation with Princeton Review costs a whopping $1,000 to $1,600. With high prices for preparation, the possibility of achieving a higher score is gatekept.
The College Board’s score report confirms the connection; it shows that SAT averages generally increase with household income, with students from the highest quintile (>$110,244) achieving an average score of 1161, while those from the lowest quintile ($0-$51,591) have an average score of 914.
The statistics indicate a clear correlation between SAT scores and household income, showing how requiring the SAT for college admissions can perpetuate socioeconomic inequality, which is why colleges should start reconsidering the requirement.
Having invested in SAT preparation myself, I can testify to its potential in improving one's score. In my case, I transitioned from a PSAT score of 1150 to an SAT score of 1290.
If the SAT continues to be a leading factor in college admissions, it will only hinder our progress toward creating a more equitable and diverse educational system.
Columbia University has dropped the SAT while MIT has brought it back. Image: Hala Hassan
‘NO’
By JACOB LOSHINSKY
I know, I know. A high schooler writing in support of the SAT? It’s unheard of. But let me explain.
As we know, when you apply to college, admissions officers look at a variety of factors including grade point average (GPA), essays, recommendation letters, extracurriculars, and test scores. The fairest of all these is the test scores.
First off, grades in schools can be insanely inflated through loose grading policies. At some schools (like Midwood), the policy is to give a 45 on missing work instead of a zero. Although this doesn’t seem like a big deal, it definitely increases GPAs at these schools over those that give zeros.
With the issue of GPAs also comes the fact that teachers throughout the country are different. Someone with a strict teacher can get a lower grade than someone with a chill teacher. And the problem with recommendation letters is that students who are shy or don’t excel in social skills have problems getting good, personalized letters.
Furthermore, students who don’t have time for extracurricular activities due to personal situations like afterschool jobs or taking care of little siblings are also disadvantaged. The SAT provides students in these situations with a way to make up for the lost space on their college application.
Essays require students to use their 650 words in a very effective way to write a type of essay they’ve often never written before. Then, humans have to read those short essays and decide whether they’re good enough, which leads to even more human error.
This leaves the fairest remaining option, the SAT.
The SAT is the only factor in the college application process that everyone has an equal shot at. It is the same for everyone.
Critics of the SAT say the test is racially biased. It is true that average SAT scores differ by race. But according to The Atlantic, there are ten NYC school districts where students are 90% Black or Latino that have one or zero gifted-and-talented programs in their public elementary schools. The problem isn’t the “racist” test but the lack of programs that help all students prepare for these tests.
Critics of the SAT also believe that the test is pay-to-win, that the rich can pay tutors to help them finesse the test. But there are also plenty of free resources out there like Khan Academy and YouTube, as well as workbooks, which only cost $25-$35 and are available at public and school libraries, that can help you achieve the highest score possible.
The removal of the SAT as a requirement for high level schools would mean admitting students who are not prepared for that environment. This would also ruin the integrity of these prestigious schools.
The SAT isn’t perfect, but it’s the best option we have right now. So instead of taking a few hours to complain about the test, use that time to work on your algebra and grammar instead.