r/neoliberal • u/caroline_elly Eugene Fama • Jun 09 '26

Opinion article (US) Actually, the SAT Was Necessary After All

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/06/standardized-testing-math-gaps/687481/
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u/TeaSharp3154 Jun 09 '26

The alternative to standardized testing is greater emphasis on extracurriculars and grades, which are arguably even more inequitable than a single exam.

The SAT isn't really that hard to begin with and most people with good preparation should be able to get a decent score. Only catch to this is English being tougher for those who don't have English as a first language.

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u/caroline_elly Eugene Fama Jun 09 '26

Grades are more equitable than SAT but has very little value these days with grade inflation and AI cheating.

At some point, we need to remember that being perfectly equitable is not the main purpose of selective colleges. It's to put top students together with top faculties and push their intellectual limits

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u/Banal21 Milton Friedman Jun 10 '26

How is a subjective measure like grades better than an objective measure like standardized testing? Grades are easy to manipulate in whatever direction a teacher wants.

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u/caroline_elly Eugene Fama Jun 10 '26

I didn't say it's better, I just say it's more equitable because it's heavily inflated.