<p>I wouldn’t go so far as to say those students don’t deserve the grades in their classes, because the tests they take for their classes are content-based. They can study for those tests in a way they can’t for the SAT. The ACT is a bit more content based, which is why you will see some students do well on one test, and poorly on the other.</p>
<p>A low test score may be an indication of grade inflation, but that would only be proven if it was consistent across an entire student body. People learn in different ways, and that is reflected in these test scores. The same can be said about state testing. My middle D scores in the top percentile on our state tests, and has since she started taking them, yet struggles in school - to the point I had to have her tested on my own, because school administrators insisted a child who does that well on the tests can’t possibly be having such difficulties - she must just be lazy. She tests well, as other students test poorly. </p>
<p>The SAT does seem to be a good indicator of success in college, but it isn’t the only indicator. Consistent work in classes, where testing may or may not play a significant role in grading, can be another indicator. Test scores are not a direct correlation to grades.</p>