[hyperfallible]

SAT training leads to modest gains of around 20-30 points on average. Also I don't see how racial background is a unique quality.

[cncrnd]

If that were actually true, no one would train for the SAT. It's a simple test easily trained for, not some ideal measure of aptitude.

It's not about race. You want people with diverse upbringings because they will do different things, and because they had the chance to go to a good school maybe they can do those different things better.

[bobcostas55]

It's absolutely true. Take a look at these papers, they have data on how much test prep increases scores:

* http://nepc.colorado.edu/files/Briggs_Theeffectofadmissionst...

* https://academic.oup.com/sf/article-abstract/89/2/435/223527...

There is very little room for training in the SAT.

[jon_richards]

>For students that have taken the test before and would like to boost their scores, coaching seems to help, but by a rather small amount.

This is very different than having a large part of your education dedicated to doing well on the SAT, which is what I think the original comment was referring to.

[cncrnd]

Again, results depend on the person and effort exerted.