SAT: A Scholastic Monopoly

The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.”  ~Aristotle

The roots of education may be bitter, but they are also worth thousands of dollars in modern-day America. For even a single slice of this supposed academic “fruit”, high school students must first cross the hurdle that is the SAT — a grueling three hour long standardized test equipped with analytical reading, writing skills, and math.

The scores that juniors bring back are no ordinary test grades — they play a pivotal role in the college admission process. Students are groomed since day one for this exam (beginning of middle school at its earliest or the end of sophomore year at the latest). And this not only involves dedication within the classroom, but outside its walls as well. Hundreds of dollars go into prep textbooks heavy enough to kill a man if chucked at him (not quite sure why that would be, but the frustration just gets to you). Even more goes into the SAT education classes that have sprouted across the Bay Area, complete with comprehensive score analysis and individual coaching. And all of those charges don’t even count the fees to take the exam in the first place. Although a single SAT costs 64 dollars, most students will have to take this test a couple of times before receiving a score they are satisfied with. At its very core, these sorts of standardized exams have turned education into an economic monopoly. While all of the prep might seem like a minor inconvenience to some, for lower-income students it’s the difference between feeding their families or not. And if indeed the fruits of education are sweet, they need to dangle off of a branch that every outstretched arm can reach.