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.