The Daily The Messy Fight Over the SAT
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Jan 17, 2024 
In a compelling discussion, David Leonhardt, a Senior Writer for The New York Times known for his political and economic insights, dives into the evolving role of standardized tests like the SAT in college admissions. He highlights the balancing act colleges face between maintaining academic standards and promoting diversity. Leonhardt critiques test-optional policies, questioning whether they genuinely enhance access to education. He also touches on the psychological pressures students face and the broader implications of the Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action.
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Wealth and Test Bias
- Standardized tests are less biased towards wealthy applicants than other admission factors, like extracurriculars or essays.
- Wealthy students still have advantages, but factors like test prep have less impact than perceived.
The SAT as a societal mirror
- SAT score gaps reflect broader societal inequalities, not test bias, similar to disparities in other areas.
- These gaps mirror inequalities seen in national tests like the NAEP, for which students don't prep.
The predictive power of the SAT
- The SAT predicts college success, especially at selective schools, even better than high school grades.
- It helps identify promising students from diverse backgrounds who might be overlooked due to grade inflation.