What's the main purpose of the SAT test?

I'm sure it's a silly question, but what's the SAT really for? I mean, I know it's a college entrance exam, but what exactly are colleges trying to measure when they look at SAT scores?

The SAT is a standardized test that attempts to measure a student's readiness for college. Specifically, it tests students on basic knowledge and skills in the areas of math and evidence-based reading and writing.

In theory, colleges can use SAT scores to objectively compare a student's aptitude against that of other applicants, regardless of differences in their school's curriculum or grading practices. It provides a more standardized measure of academic ability, which can be especially useful when considering applicants from different regions or educational backgrounds.

However, it's important to remember that while the SAT tries to measure aptitude, it's not a perfect metric. It doesn't take into account factors like a student's personal motivation, creativity, perseverance, or work ethic—all of which can hugely impact academic success. As a result, many colleges consider SAT scores as just one factor among many in their admissions decisions.

How colleges evaluate the SAT can also vary from year to year. For example, for the upcoming 2024-2025 application cycle, a number of schools have reverted to requiring the SAT again after a period of being test-optional due to the impacts of COVID-19. These schools include Dartmouth, Harvard, Purdue, Brown, Yale, UT Austin, and Caltech. On the other hand, schools like Columbia, Princeton, Stanford, UPenn, Johns Hopkins, NYU, and UChicago continue to be test-optional.

If you'd like to learn more about the SAT in general, including test-optional policies, test logistics, and tips on how to maximize your score, I'd check out CollegeVine's series of free blog posts focused on SAT prep: https://blog.collegevine.com/category/standardized-tests/sat/. Good luck with your standardized testing journey!