Is the SAT a Fair Test?

Reader Response
from Erin
July 23, 2001, 2:32 p.m. ET

I come from a middle-class family. I always did well in school, in fact, I graduated from high school with over a 3.00 GPA. I took the SAT test during my senior year in high school - I did horribly on the test. I did so bad that I decided not to apply to colleges.

I couldn't understand why I failed. I was off and on the honor roll my whole life, and I was always considered smart. What did I do wrong? Eventually, I applied at a university, without giving them my score. I was eventually accepted, and I graduated with a 3.79 GPA. Now, I am in graduate school, earning a 4.00 GPA.

Moreover, I am now a successful teacher, training to be a principal. I beat over 400 applicants, in the district I work for today, for the job position I have. If I would have relied on the SAT to predict my future success, I would not be where I am today. Colleges should look at the whole spectrum of the individual and give everyone at least one chance.

Sincerely,

Erin

Back to SAT Article

For Further Reading

Download

###

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z