Rich Kids Benefit from SATs

For years, there’s been grumbling that the SATs, long an iconic college admissions gatekeeper, is biased against poorer students who can’t afford the hefty fees that richer kids spend on intensive preparation courses. Before now, the theory was based on anecdotal evidence and common sense. Now, a new study by Princeton researchers indicates a definitive bias using actual simulations of student applications at competitive colleges. "The results show unambiguously that increased racial and socioeconomic diversity can be achieved by switching to test-optional policies," says one of the study’s authors, something increasing numbers of schools have been doing in recent years.