> It’s not that SAT scores don’t predict anything, it’s perhaps the case that the very loud signal it provides will overwhelmingly favor those with more resources.
The problem is that most of the alternative measures, which not using test scores make more prominent, also do this, some much more than test scores. Personal statements were particularly mentioned upthread, but looking at grades does this, too (and doing it in combination with looking at what classes were taken does so even more), looking at extracurriculars favors resources probably more than any other factor typically examined in admissions (though personal statements are in the running here, too.) Standardized test scores may be the least problematic factor commonly used in admissions.
The problem is that most of the alternative measures, which not using test scores make more prominent, also do this, some much more than test scores. Personal statements were particularly mentioned upthread, but looking at grades does this, too (and doing it in combination with looking at what classes were taken does so even more), looking at extracurriculars favors resources probably more than any other factor typically examined in admissions (though personal statements are in the running here, too.) Standardized test scores may be the least problematic factor commonly used in admissions.