<p>Maybe I am not as “deep” as some of you smarter folks out there, but this is how I see it. Any time there are only a limited number of slots that a lot of people want, the powers that be, who decide who gets those slots must set up some sort of arbitrary selection system. At least for the first level of selection. Otherwise, there would be too many to peruse. I don’t think my son is “dumb” or unable to cope with life because he is having trouble getting his score in math up. He gets mostly A’s in a college prep. school and manages life quite fine. Some might even say he manages in an exceptional manner. However, there are hoops one must get thru in life, and at the moment this is his. Might be “fair”, might be an “indicator”, might not be. Doesn’t matter. there are a lot of people fighting for only a few spots and if they don’t put some sort of filter on the system at the beginning, they won’t be able to narrow their choices down at the end. It just is what it is. Nothing less, nothing more. I don’t want him to “trick” his way into taking a spot away from someone who is smarter than him, and if I raised him right, he doesn’t want that either. He wants to find a way to put HIS personal best forward. Right now that means the SAT. Time is running out and rather than re-inventing the wheel, we were just trying to see what has or has not worked for others. That way we don’t waste time doing what does not work. The tips and tricks are important and the knowledge is important. Much like the rest of life, huh? Thanks to everyone who has offered advise. We have a plan of attack thanks to you all and my son is determined.</p>