High GPA/Rank make up for low SAT?

<p>@@nhsharvard:
absolutely an IQ test is a better predictor than the SAT.</p>

<p>[q] The SAT is not as good of an indicator of a person’s intelligence as much as the SAT 2. The SAT 2s show a student’s hard work and dedication.[/q]</p>

<p>I don’t agree at all. Intelligence has to do with reasoning ability and that doesn’t come across on the SAT IIs. Of course more intelligent kids will most likely have learned more or retain more information and thus do better on the SAT IIs. The only subject test that has anything to do with real intelligence, in my opinion, is the Math subject test.</p>

<p>In regard to your point about high GPAs and low test scores, assuming that the high GPA was earned in all/most AP and the rest honors classes, one would have to look at the rigor of the school. I used to go to a private school where I had to study 4 hours a night to get straight As in all honors courses. At my new school I barely study at all (I’m taking 6 APs and 2 honors courses this year both semesters) and I have straight As. Just goes to show that GPAs can not be normed nationwide. That was actually the reasoning behind the SAT: to have a test that put everyone on a level playing field.</p>

<p>Now about the disadvantaged backgrounds comment, just my personal opinion. Yes, to an extent you can say that these kids have not had access to study/prep materials to prepare for the SATs and thus there scores are lower. When most kids prepare rigorously for the SATs they only see score increases of 70-150 points. Now if someone is getting a 1500 on the SATs (say that they tried to do well and didn’t just take it as a joke) I really don’t see any amount of test prep or money getting him/her a 2200 or a 2300 etc.</p>

<p>Sorry I’ve turned this into an SAT discussion.</p>