Phase 1

1.1. Many schools stopped requiring the SAT for admissions during the pandemic, but now colleges are starting to require it again.

1.2. There are many ways for students to prepare for the SAT.

1.3. Because the test is high stress, and because students who have the resources to pay for test prep have an advantage, the SAT may be an unfair test.

1.4. GPA seems like a much better indicator of a student’s knowledge.

1.5. I don’t know why some colleges are requiring the SAT again.

Phase 2

2.1.1 Because of the College Board’s fee structure, rich students can retake the SAT as often as they like, while poorer students only get two attempts;

2.1.2 also, in the past we’ve seen wealthy parents paying to cheat the system.

2.2. Wexler argues that the SAT is a good predictor of success in college, and also that test prep has limited benefit.

2.3. Wexler proposes giving lower-income students access to SAT skills development prep earlier in the education system, which might allow the SAT to compensate for lower GPA.

2.4. Pigeon asserts that SAT prep is one of the places where wealth affords the least advantage, so it may be a powerful asset for less privileged students.

2.5. The UC Board of Regents have eliminated SAT scores as admissions requirements at all UC schools and shifted to a process that allows students to argue for their own college readiness.

Phase 3

3.1. SAT scores might be a valuable tool for some students seeking college admission, but they should not be required by any college.

3.2. SAT scores are not a reliable predictor of student readiness because there are many outside factors that influence student performance.

3.3. The approach adopted by the UC system is a good compromise because it allows students to advocate for their own readiness.

3.4. Students should be allowed, but not required, to use SAT scores as a part of their college application.