Are the SATs Necessary for College Admissions?

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