Remember that the U.S. now sends 60% of its high school graduates to some form of college. This test now serves a double purpose: 1. Trying to identify the ver

Remember that the U.S. now sends 60% of its high school graduates to some form of college. This test now serves a double purpose: 1. Trying to identify the very best high school students across a wide range of schools who deserve a shot at an elite university with an international reputation. (Lots of flaws here) 2. Providing some insight about which students at an average high school are 2nd quartile, 3rd quartile, etc. If they're all going to college so that they can learn to be police officers, nurses, desk clerks, etc. (odd social choice), then testing people on rudimentary math makes sense.