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The SAT Isn’t the Problem. Access to Prep Is.

The true divide in college admissions lies in who can afford to prepare, not who takes the test.

On March 14, millions of high school students sat down to take the first SAT of 2026. Each year, the kick-off to peak testing season reignites the same debate: Are standardized tests fair? It’s the wrong question. The test itself isn’t the primary source of inequity in college admissions. The prep system surrounding it is.  

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During the pandemic, hundreds of colleges adopted test-optional policies, fueling arguments that the SAT and ACT are inherently biased and should be scrapped to level the playing field. As many institutions now reinstate testing requirements, the debate has returned with renewed intensity. But its critics are aiming at the wrong target. 

In principle, standardized tests serve as an equalizer. They provide admissions officers with a common benchmark for comparing students across thousands of high schools with widely different grading standards, course rigor and resources. A high GPA at a rural public school can........

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