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Test Stress!
by Jon Platner, 10.24.03
The number of colleges that no longer require SAT or ACT scores has been on the rise. |
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Sooner or later, just about every American teen comes to know the power of those three little letters — S-A-T. The pressure to score high on the test can be enormous, and prepping for the exam gets really stressful. But with more and more colleges making SAT® scores optional, those three little letters are now at the center of a heated debate.
SAT 101
The SAT is the oldest and most widely used college entrance exam in the United States. It is created and administered by the Educational Testing Service® (ETS®), and is owned by the College Board®. Intended to predict first-year college grades, the SAT factors into the admissions decisions of more than 1,000 colleges and universities.
The letters "S-A-T" originally stood for "Scholastic Aptitude Test," but changed to "Scholastic Assessment Test" in 1993, because people disagreed over what the exam really measured. The new name didn't stick either, and today, the letters stand for nothing! The exam's official name is now "SAT I." (The "SAT II" is a set of tests that covers specific subjects, like biology.)
Fair or Flawed?
Because so many schools rely on the SAT for admissions, some people are worried about the test being inaccurate or biased (unfairly favoring one group over another). These concerns include
- The Gender Gap — The SATs are supposed to predict first-year college grades. But while girls tend to outperform guys in their first year of college, guys average higher scores on the exam.
- Racial Bias — African Americans, Latinos, and many other minorities have overall SAT scores that are lower than those of white students. The National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest) thinks this means the test is biased toward certain groups.
- Money Matters — Students from low-income families average lower scores than students from higher-income families. Some people think this has a lot do with pricey coaching classes that boost scores.
But the College Board and ETS defend the exam.
- They argue that a larger pool of girls take the test than guys, which could lower the average score of girls.
- They also argue that lower scores among certain groups are more likely because of differences in educational backgrounds and opportunities, rather than test biases.
- ETS and the College Board don't claim the SAT to be a better measure of a student's ability than high school grades. They only suggest that grades and scores are better measures together than each one is alone.
To further address concerns, the College Board is making a few changes to the SAT that will begin in 2005. Among other things, the analogies (word comparisons) will be replaced by extra reading exercises, and there will also be a new writing section.
That Other Test
In certain parts of the country, a different set of three letters may be more familiar: A-C-T. The ACTTM exam is the SAT's biggest competitor, and most colleges that require one will also accept the other. The exams have very different formats, but the ACT gets just as much criticism and support as the SAT, so neither is really considered a "better" test.
The No-Test Trend
Over the last few years, the number of colleges that no longer require SAT or ACT scores has been on the rise. Today, that list is made up of almost 400 colleges and universities, and believe it or not, many of these are so-called "selective" schools.
But don't assume you're off the hook yet. Most colleges still require you to take one of the two exams, and as test makers change the exams to address concerns, many wonder if the no-test trend will continue. |
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