Abstract

The SAT and ACT are major elements of the undergraduate admissions process in the United States. Despite widespread usage, both exams have been the focus of criticism. Critics argue that the exams are biased by race and class, and that these problems are inherent to the tests themselves. Test-optional admissions have grown in popularity with undergraduate institutions in recent years, a trend exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper examines the accuracy of criticisms of the SAT and whether government administration could address the test’s flaws. While government administration would not address bias in the educational system prior to testing, income-based tax funding or a progressively price-discriminating pricing system could reduce bias in results by greatly reducing disparities in student retake rates.

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