Since the late 1800's, college entrance examinations have been used as an admissions test at many colleges and universities across the nation.  One such entrance exam is the Scholastic Aptitude Test, often referred to as the SAT.  Although the SAT is not a mandatory test in every state across the nation, it is affecting teenagers ranging from ages 13 to 23 (Crouse and Trusheim, 23).  A second aptitude test besides the SAT that is also not mandatory, but is an option for students is called the ACT.  Many argue that despite its ability to predict educational success, the SAT is unnecessary, thus making it necessary to create a second optional admissions test.  The issue is growing worse because of the recent changes that have been made to the SAT to make it more challenging.  Each year, the SAT is sponsored by the College Entrance Examination Board, administered by the Educational Testing Service, taken by nearly 1.5 million people, and used in admissions by more than 1,500 colleges and universities (www.pacificresearch.org).  
             The effects of the SAT have not changed since 1960 (Zwick, 6).  Several attempts have been made with the experimentation of not using the SAT for college admission. Results from such research, done by James Crouse and Dale Trusheim, authors of The Case Against the SAT, show that for the vast majority of colleges, an admissions policy that ignores the SAT admits the same type and size freshmen class as an admissions policy that includes the SAT.  Along with using the SAT for the college admission process, an "achievement test" for both community colleges and universities could be students.  This test would focus on the students determining where their strong points in academics are by making either high or low scores in certain subject areas, thus
             making it possible for them to choose their college courses more easily.  The students' college courses would be of interes...