Hacker News Reader

Comment by jeromebaek | Hacker News Reader

I got a 1000/1600 on my first try of the SAT. Then I went through a $6,000 SAT summer camp, and got a 1600/1600. I used this score to tutor privileged children charging upwards to $100/hr. The conclusion, for me? The SAT has become just another way for the privileged to incestuously perpetuate privilege among themselves. I believe it's a great move to stop considering these test scores.

View on HN

Some would say that's a sign the SAT should be improved to be a more accurate prediction of college success, rather than that it should be done away with all together.

I mean, if a graphics card review told you how many FPS you could expect on Half Life 2, it might not show the differences between modern graphics cards. But that's just a sign the reviewers should use a more modern game for their benchmark, not that they should switch to reviewing whether the card's designer sometimes volunteers at a soup kitchen or whether the maker spends a lot of money on ads in the magazine.

I got 31 on ACT first try then spent all summer playing dota 2 with my friends and got a 35 the second try. We were also poor as hell. I don't think it has anything to do with privilege

I agree the current system has become so warped and profiteering it needs an overhaul. Not sure dropping requirements altogether is the way to go though. At least the tests required people to work for a better score and get some idea of how to seriously study. Considering the abysmal academic skills of most college students I've taught, I can't imagine what fresh degree of ineptitude awaits.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com