If you think taking an SAT or ACT is stressful than you should try taking a final exam in a class of 100 top scholars at a top 10 University. The myth of the highly intelligent student who tests badly is just that, a myth. Accommodations for standardized tests have risen rapidly. Sometimes they are also used to gain an advantage( so sad). I know of exactly one kid from decades ago who had trouble testing and was a real genius. More likely is, the parents think they are geniuses and they can’t compete on the national level. This also happens in sports, in EC’s etc. I have overheard many a parent making excuses for their child while comparing them to others.
So why does the genius kid who is able to get an A in every subject at podunk high can’t get a decent SAT/ACT score on something that is based on common info and analysis? Hmm. Maybe it’s because he’s a genius in that high school only and can’t compete elsewhere against others who are actually smarter.
GPA’s are silly stupid. At some schools, only the very top students 5% have an A average. At other schools 60/70% of kids have the same average. Colleges know the difference. Our local top high school allows kids to retake exams or do extra work if they have a poor grade on a test. My kids’ private schools would never allow that. At one of the schools, one of my kid attend, the average grade is a B-. The school accepts less than 20% of applicants. So the starting point is much higher. When 5-10% of kids in an honors/AP or regular course is getting an A that is a very different education than a school handing out an A as the average grade.
I’m all for taking/using AP’s. As long as there is some national standard.
As for ranking. While some schools and many private schools don’t rank, they often include the quartile if the kid is applying to tippity top schools. If the kid is in the top decile the college will learn of it. The GC also has to have some way to pinpoint in recommendations the good student from the outstanding one. Many have a specialized category on the recommendation forms ( one of the best students I have ever had or similar).
I agree with @hebegebe. SAT’s/ACTS allow schools to note outstanding candidates based on national scores from schools that aren’t outstanding. This offers them a place in college admissions.