Who would think a page of tiny little ovals and a No. 2 pencil could cause so much stress?

Standardized testing - specifically the SAT - is in the limelight these days. Last spring, 5,000 tests were graded incorrectly. In August, the College Board reported average SAT scores were down more than they have been in 31 years; some theorize the fault is fatigue, caused by hours of slogging away at a test made even longer last year by the addition of a writing segment.

 About 700 colleges no longer require standardized testing. At most institutions, however, such tests are one competitive stick on a precarious pile of application requirements. ParentingTeensOnline talked to administrators at seven universities about their thoughts and advice on the SAT.

IS THE SAT A GOOD JUDGE OF A STUDENT

"Our research indicates the best predictor of first-year success had everything to do with how a student had done in high school. I know these scores are used as screens [at larger universities], but it does a terrible disservice. "

- Gail Berson, dean of admissions, Wheaton College (where SATs are optional as part of the admissions process; 60% of applicants do not submit such scores)

"Test scores are one factor among so many others - grades, rigor of the curriculum, essays, recommendations from teachers. At Stanford, it 's important for us to really think about the students in the context of where they learn. There is no question that testing is a national reflection of kids nationwide and worldwide. But students shouldn 't use it as an absolute reflection of what's going to happen."

- Richard Shaw, dean of admissions and financial aid, Stanford University

"It's fairly predictive of freshman scores. It's a necessary pressure."

- Ron Dietel, assistant director at the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) at UCLA and author of Get Smart! 9 Sure Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in School

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Issue: June 2008