Anyone who has studied for the SAT extensively knows of the intrinsic inequalities it presents. Statistics have proven standardized tests favor the wealthy and privileged, which often equates to a racial bias. Some cite the money motive for the reason behind such a selfish attempt; others point to the power proponent. Even if College Board has come a long way since their founding, its implied purpose remains the same: to perpetuate its own existence.

So why do we continue to perpetuate this cycle of inequality? In order for biased tests to actually work, the SAT needs to be the dominant indicator of college acceptance.

GPA and extracurricular activities appear as factors of the application process but standardized tests still play a prominent role. Colleges themselves choose to make the SAT count as much as it does. Elite schools primarily accept selected students and unfortunately these students tend to be disproportionately privileged and white.

This basically boils down to two stark inequities: economic and cultural. Those with the resources to attend SAT prep courses or hire tutors score strikingly higher on these tests. On a cultural note, the concepts and topics covered in the critical reading and writing portions are disproportionately subject matters that are familiar to white students.

The real problem here is multi-layered. There exists the unfair reality of society’s economic gap. On the other hand, the composition of the questions posed in the SAT is unfair in itself. Perhaps a reformatting of standardized tests needs to take place, recognizing that not every student has the same cultural upbringing.