There is a fairly logical chain of events here, and I'll agree that while not perfect causation this is interesting.

Higher SAT scores generally mean better college education (on average) with more scholarships (enabling less student-loan slavery post-graduation), more grad school, better jobs, etc.

People that got an 800 on their SAT (out of 1600 in my day) weren't really on the fast-track anywhere except mowing lawns. The kids pushing closer to 1400-1600 were generally headed to decent schools.