Scholastic Aptitude Test

Cultural  

1. A test that purportedly measures the aptitude of high-schoolers for college. Originally devised in 1926, it was not widely employed by colleges to select students until the 1950s and 1960s.

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The SAT is controversial. College admissions officers have relied on it, but critics contend that it contains cultural biases that work against the admission of African-Americans and other minorities.

Example Sentences

The SAT’s original name, the Scholastic Aptitude Test, implied a rigor that even its current defenders would not claim.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 7, 2024

The rule requires that incoming freshman maintain 2.0 grade point averages and score 700 or more on the Scholastic Aptitude Test or a 15 on the American College Testing program.

From Washington Times • Jan. 10, 2020

In “The Big Test,” Lemann used the history of the SAT, the Scholastic Aptitude Test, to explain the rise of a rigid meritocratic hierarchy that dominates American society.

From Washington Post • Oct. 31, 2019

Mira Hu was dropped off on Saturday at Arcadia High School, just east of Los Angeles, to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test.

From Reuters • Jun. 8, 2015

When it came time to apply to college, Joy got a perfect score on the math portion of the Scholastic Aptitude Test.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell