The Two Sides of the Argument

PRO	CON
-Together with high school grade-point averages, SAT scores provide a good predictor of college success.	-High school grade-point averages, alone, provide more accurate predictions of college success than SAT scores, which only have 0.03-0.08 validity.
-The writing section, introduced in 2005, pushes schools to reform lessons on writing and language arts.	-The short, timed essay of the SAT writing section forces students to create formulaic and superficial essays which do not reflect skills required in college.
-The SAT is not biased against races, ethnicities, or other such groups. Low minority scores are simply the result of inadequate schooling, not because the test is biased.	-Students from divergent and minority cultural backgrounds often lack the knowledge required in the reading and writing sections.
-SAT scores help the admission offices of large universities sort out the thousands of applications they receive	-SAT scores are simply used as alternatives to more time-consuming but more comprehensive evaluations of students
-Income does not actually affect scores. Coaching has shown to only boost scores by a few points.	-Students with affluent and well-educated parents score better because of parental practices and the ability to afford coaching, which prepares test-takers with a preemptive look at the test
-The SAT tests to see how well a student has prepared in high school for college education and material.	-The SAT does not test objectively and tests more for test-taking skills than actual knowledge and understanding of concepts.
	-Replacing SAT-I Reasoning Test requirements with solely SAT-II Subject Test requirements would end prejudice caused by income and social differences.

The SAT-I Reasoning Test as a Controversial Topic

     Specifically, I have chosen the question, "Should the SAT-I Reasoning Test continue to be administered?" and I will argue for the con position; that is, the SAT-I Reasoning Test should no longer be administered.

     Personally, this topic is pertinent to my life as I am currently in my junior year of high school, a year filled with PSATs, SATs, HSPAs, and, ultimately, college admissions. Right now, SATs are the biggest thing on my mind. While I'm studiously preparing for the test by flipping through preparation books by Kaplan, Princeton Review, and The College Board, I can't help but question, "Why?"

     Why are parents and educators stressing for students to do well on this one test? Why do they spend hundreds of dollars on SAT preparation courses and books? Why is it that SAT scores are stressed as a key factor in college admissions as opposed to other measures of skill and knowledge?

     Others have asked similar questions about the implications of the SAT-I Reasoning Test. Key concerns brought up by educators, admissions officers, and students alike include the accuracy of the scores as college success predictors, the subject matter the test is comprised of, and the prejudice present against many groups of people.

     The College Board, needless to say, is entirely supportive in the use of the test. Some educators and colleges support the test as well, arguing that criticism concerning coaching and tutoring as well as prejudice against minorities is misconceived. They have also argued that statistics time and time again have shown the reliability and accuracy of the SAT-I Test scores when used in college admissions decisions.

     On the other side of the argument, the one against the SAT-I Reasoning Test, educators and college admission offices alike have supported the notion that the SAT-I Reasoning Test does not focus on actual knowledge and understanding of math, reading, and writing concepts. Rather, it simply tests for test-taking strategies. Arguments have also been made that the SAT-II Subject Tests present themselves as better alternatives to the SAT-I Reasoning Test in that they eliminate cultural and economic differences found in the wide range of students who currently take the SAT-I Tests.

     If indeed the SAT-I Reasoning Test were to be eliminated, future generations, and possibly even my generation, of high school students would not have to worry about this superfluous and often counterproductive test so many of us incorrectly consider to be the deciding factor of our education.

     For the next two months, my goal is to make you, the reader, convinced that the SAT-I Reasoning Test should be done away with. To support my position I will be using the expertise of research completed over the years as well as the opinions of educators and admissions officers. Hopefully, you will come to see where and why I stand on this issue.