S.A.T. (Somewhat Accurate Test)

Apparently, the numbers can lie.

The incorrect grading of 4,400 SAT tests earlier this year brings into question the accuracy of other standardized tests -- including the GRE and LSAT exams, which, like the SAT, are administered by The College Board. With errors still being found as recently as last week, the tests' main claim to credibility has been compromised.

Almost one in 100 students who took the SAT were given grades that were too low, which had an impact on admissions at the UW and other schools in the state. It's a small percentage, but that's probably not much comfort for students rejected from colleges for low test scores.

If the machine-scanned portions of standardized tests are creating errors, one has to wonder if there's much hope for the new writing section of the SAT, which obviously is graded more subjectively.

There hasn't been any indication of problems with exams required for graduate or law-school admission, but this shows it could happen at this level too.

Standardized tests already aren't a perfect measure of a student's academic potential, but they have the advantage of being very precise in grading. If the numbers can't be trusted in every case, the tests are rendered meaningless.

Errors like this shouldn't happen, especially when students' futures are at stake.

Fortunately, the UW has instituted a "holistic" admissions process, taking into account more than just the numbers. While applicants may be scrutinized a little more and standardized testing may be a little less important, the tests still count.

And if the tests count at all, they should at least be accurate.

Thanks College Board, for giving us a new reason to hate your tests.