This paper examines the controversies surrounding the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and its use in college admissions policies. An early section reviews the history and development of the test. Next the essay reviews a series of challenges to the SAT: many argue that the structure of the examination is biased against women and minorities. Others argue that the test serves to screen out those with certain educational or economic backgrounds. The discussion goes on to look at the costs of taking the test as well as costs that some students incur in coaching and instruction and preparation time, the effect of the SAT on admissions decisions, and the failure of SAT to provide colleges with information that helps them to find candidates of high academic quality or students that will tend to complete more years of college. The defense of the exam is then advanced, namely that the SAT provides a measure of generalized ability needed for most post high school education, and that a student's background may be very diverse given that the student studies academic courses and takes mathematics classes in preparation for college. Other arguments in favor of the SAT are advanced. Seven references are included. (JB)