Additionally, the newly added writing component tests the students' writing ability, which one cannot do without when it comes to higher education. If a person cannot write well while in high school, he/she will have a rude awakening in colleges when several term papers are due during the same week.
Not only does the SAT reflect how well one is to do in college, but it also puts every applicant on the same level academically. This gives the colleges an easier time when it comes to admissions because they don't have to take so much time to look through everyone's full application. Also, the standardized test allows them to set a standard (eg. a score of 1275 or above) on which to measure each student.
Con: The SAT should not be considered a necessary component of college admission criteria. By no means is it a test that accesses the academic ability of a student, nor is it a good indicator of how well he/she does the first year in college. This standardized test doesn't prove anything about a person's abilities and is only detrimental to those taking it.