With so much disapproval and an overwhelmingly antagonistic attitude evident from the class, it was surprising to see a few students maintain some of the virtues of the test. Tyrra Walker said the importance of the SAT is also helping to prepare students interested in postgraduate studies for pre-professional testing, such as the MCAT or the bar exam. “It’s a skill set that has to be developed,” she said. However, Amber Garrick countered with a question: “When I’ve graduated from medical school and completed my residency, do you really think my patients will be asking me what my MCAT score was?”

It’s true that a test score would seem rather inconsequential at such a point, but it still holds that the test is a very important factor in getting into an undergraduate program. Does this make the tests any more valid? No. But are test scores still important for admission purposes? It seems so. Perhaps the question is not whether tests such as the SAT are important but rather whether they should be important.

While seniors may now have the luxury to debate these questions, juniors can only sigh and toil on as they focus on doing their best on the upcoming spring tests. Regardless of any controversies surrounding it, the SAT is still a central part of the college decision process, listed under “Very Important” on the common data sets of the most prestigious universities. On the flip side, becoming “test-optional” is a growing trend among colleges and universities throughout the country. What the future holds for this polarizing test is uncertain — but boy, am I glad I’m done with it!