Are the SATs Necessary for College Admissions?

Or is high school performance just as good an indicator of a student's likely success?

By U.S. News Staff

August 17, 2009 RSS Feed Print

Proponents call standardized test scores a fair, reliable predictor of a student's success in college. Others say that high school records are just as good as SAT scores and that a nuanced admissions process yields a more diverse and academically strong student body. What do you think? Are standardized tests necessary? Weigh in below. And don't forget to check out the debate between Gaston Caperton of the College Board and Jill Tiefenthaler of Wake Forest University in the September issue of U.S.News & World Report.

Previously: Should Michael Vick Get a Second Chance in the NFL?

Take our poll: Are standardized tests necessary to the college admissions process?

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As a Junior in HS i know for a fact that i don't care about standardized tests. I dread the day that I will have to wake up early on the weekend just to take a test that costs $50 that I don't even want to take. these tests also make students work harder because of what they stand for in terms of college admission. If colleges strictly looked at school records and grades then all students would study for tests and they would all do their homework all the time.

Isabel of NJ 8:09PM January 29, 2012

It appears that college acceptance depends more on shrewd and savvy parents and their ambitions and legacies than on the kids. Hopefully, later on in life, the kids who did it for themselves will have that satisfaction. "...bless the child that got his own..."

Barbara Brooks of NJ 8:34PM February 20, 2010

My wife and I are going thru the college process with our oldest child. This has been a 12 year process. In the ninth grade he took the SAT for placement in summer programs. We were happy with his 760 Math score however the critical reading was in the 60% level. We attributed this to his age and limited reading at the high school and college level. The placement allowed him to attend Harvard's summer program where he received A's in calculus, multi-variable calculus and differential equations / linear algebra. He took the SAT AP Calculus BC exam received a 5, SAT II Math Level II and received a 800, and retook the SAT I's to receive a 800 in Math and 80% in critical reading.
He is scheduled to take the SAT I's again in October. My recommendation to him was to no bid the Math section of the exam. Our guidance counselor explained that might be an issue. Upon examination and discussion with the Supervisor at the SAT hotline, not completing the Math would cause the entire exam not to be scored. I further inquired about scoring all A’s on the test sheet (Christmas Tree the sheet). I was told that a score different than 150 points on any section would cause an assertion of cheating.
Like it or not merit scholarships are judged on SAT score. My son is an Eagle Scout with six palms, is on a varsity sports team, will have taken eight AP classes, is independently studying for two additional AP subjects, is taking two courses at the local college next semester, and is working on his private pilot’s license. For the folks at the College Board to accuse him of cheating is repulsive. It is time for the game called the SAT to be replaced.

John Wurts of MA 9:24AM September 28, 2009

Are the SATs Necessary for College Admissions?

Or is high school performance just as good an indicator of a student's likely success?

Reader Comments Read all comments (18)

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