The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is an exam meant to evaluate how smart a student is to help colleges determine who to accept. The test is divided into two sections: English and Math. However, in reality, the SAT isn’t fair for everyone and causes more harm than good.
A significant problem with the SAT is that it puts too much pressure on one test. A student could be great in school, work hard and do well in every class, but if they have a bad day or get nervous during the SAT, their score might not truly reflect how smart they are.
The SAT also offers an unfair advantage to wealthier students who can afford costly prep courses and tutors. These test-taking actions cost a lot of money, and not everyone can pay for them. Because of this, students with more money often get better scores, not necessarily because they’re smarter, but because they had more help.
Another issue is the stress of the SAT. Many students feel nervous and scared just thinking about the test, which makes them feel like their future depends on one test. The test isn’t fair to all students because it might not fit their way of learning. Some students have greater writing and creative abilities, which the SAT doesn’t evaluate. It mainly focuses on math, reading and how fast the test-taker can answer questions.
In the end, the SAT doesn’t show everything a student can do. It’s just one test, and students are so much more than a number. Instead of focusing on scores, colleges should be more focused on aspects like hard work, creativity and how someone handles challenges. That would give a much better picture of who someone is and their strengths.