<p>The High School Transcript matters the most ie. Class 9, 10, 11, 12. </p>
<p>SAT is one of the the cutoff parameters because it is the most common aptitude test ( i think about 80%+) which students from all over the world appear for just like Board exams in India. Others take APs.</p>
<p>TOEFL only fulfils your English language requirement. I am sure you would agree that all students in all Indian schools do not have the same command over the English language.</p>