Caveats that I took the tests in rural town in the Midwest over a decades ago and didn’t think I saw anything unexpected for what it was trying to do: This is not first hand knowledge.

Past versions have been found to have questions that rely heavily on knowledge that wouldn’t be obtained during standard primary education. The worst I’d heard about was knots used while boating. If you’re privileged enough to have that exposure, you’re failing that one. No other reason to expect it there, so no reason to learn that.

While SATs have become more “fair” than they were in the past, the test itself is only a test on how well you can take the SAT. It’s not an accurate measurement of academics or knowledge, nor a predictor of how well a student will perform in college. Because of this, students who have access to outside resources, such as coaches and study guides, are at a significant advantage over students who do not. Further, you can take practice tests or retake the SAT as long as you can afford to.

So if you’re just some kid who is smart, does well in school, but has no money to afford any of this stuff, you’re seeing it all for the first and last time you take your SAT. Sitting next to you is some kid who’s had after school prep coaches go over every part of the test, has taken multiple PSATs, and can take the test again if they don’t like their score. Both of you will be compared to by college admission boards, as though you were on equal footing.

It doesn’t help most of this is compounded by race. One student from a white family who themselves took the SAT and know how to support their child in taking it. And another student from a non-white family who is the first person to go to college because historically, their family members were legally denied entry into higher education.