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The College Board. Most of us know this corporation as the people who administer the SAT reasoning test and the various subject tests that are essential to a college application. However, when dishing out $43 for the reasoning test and $28 for each subject test, rarely does anyone question the complete control that the College Board seems to hold over the 2.2 million high school students who take these tests annually.
When we truly analyze the College Board’s position in power, they come to resemble the great monopolies in American history. Like Standard Oil in the late 19th century, although not as grand in scope, the College Board holds a huge amount of power in their market.
The major competitor for the College Board would seem to be The American College Test (ACT), which is one of the only tests not given by the College Board. However, the ACT does not offer subject tests. So, by the end of their high school career, most students will end up taking at least one College Board test.
The College Board has a dangerous amount of power and is a threat to the competitive market that we have in the United States of America.
Anon/gif/ • Oct 23, 2008 at 4:44 PM
I think that the College Board does not have that much power, considering there isn’t much competition. It’s basic: The College Board was the first in the industry to administer these tests; the ACTs were second in the industry. It can’t monopolize the industry if there isn’t an industry to begin with. There was no competition for the College Board when it began, so it can’t really “monopolize” the industry.
@Marta: What do you mean? ‘They aren’t a true measurement of intelligence’. Really? Is it not that all that they want to test you on is Math and English? It obviously isn’t a true measure, nor was it ever intended to be one.
Marta • Jun 4, 2008 at 11:47 AM
I would agree that the college board has a lot of power. I would argue further, however, that the real problem is that the tests that are given do not really mean anything. SATs are not an accurate measurement of intelligence. More colleges are realizing this and more are starting to become SAT optional.
Chris • May 29, 2008 at 8:32 AM
The college board does seem to hold a monopoly in this “industry.” However, having everybody take the same test is no doubt extremely helpful when applying to colleges and for the colleges to look at students. It’s the only thing that is consistent among everyone (The same GPA’s at different high schools can mean very different things).
anonymous • May 28, 2008 at 11:16 AM
nice historical comparisons!