I've never met anyone that did poorly on the SAT admit that they just aren't that smart. The de-emphasizing of the SAT doesn't make sense to me. Not everyone is 'above average'.

although some may disagree, i can't think of a more fair way to do it either. everyone takes the same test, boy/girl, fat/skinny, ugly/pretty, black/white/orange/green, it doesn't matter, its the same for everyone. if the test were unfair, how else could it be done more fairly

And that's why the admissions process at competitive schools usually includes essays, interviews, and the opportunity to submit AP/achievement scores or projects or writing samples or news clippings or anything else that might round out the picture of the applicant and add to that which is shown in the GPA and SAT scores.

Edited to add that most processes for scholarships and honors programs and so on will probably continue to require SAT scores.

i agree, its a good piece to show how well rounded the applicant is included with all the other things (GPA, extracurriculars, etc).

The problem comes at less competitive, and large state schools that simply don't have the admissions staff power to properly evaluate the qualitative parts of the application.

I recall that top state schools like the UC system and Michigan pretty much used an SAT/GPA formula-simply too many applicants.

As far as the test itself, and coaching, I simply used one of numerous study guides, took numerous practice tests, and raised my score by 190 points over the PSAT (the thing you take Fall of Junior year, with no warning!) and never looked back.

The college I attended has long refused to give SAT score information out to US News to avoid the whole ranking game.