Editor’s Note: The following article is an opinion piece that reflects the views of the author.
The College Board has become a pivotal tool for students struggling with the intricate path of college admissions, standardized testing, and scholarship opportunities. However, as a junior in high school, I have come to realize that beneath its user-friendly interface lies a troubling reality: the monopolization of educational resources by the College Board. This monopoly not only restrains competition but also perpetuates economic disparities among students, making the college admissions process more stressful and inequitable.
While the College Board purports to serve as a centralized hub for essential information — facilitating standardized tests, application statuses, and scholarship opportunities — it effectively consolidates power within a single organization. This centralization raises significant concerns regarding the lack of alternatives available to students. As I have experienced firsthand, the pressure to conform to the College Board’s standards can be overwhelming, particularly when one considers the financial implications of its offerings.
The College Board’s most notorious product, the SAT, comes with a big price tag of $68 per exam. The organization encourages students to take the exam multiple times, further inflating costs. This financial burden disproportionately affects students from lower-income backgrounds, who may lack the means to pay for multiple attempts or additional resources. In 2023, the organization reported revenues of about $1.02 billion, with profits consistently surpassing $50 million annually. Former CEO David Coleman earned $2.5 million in 2020 alone. The organization has faced criticism for high executive compensation, revealing a stark reality: while the College Board operates as nonprofit entity with a tax-exempt status, its substantial revenue generation raise ethical questions about its financial practices.
The Advanced Placement (AP) program, another foundation of the College Board’s offerings, has also become a source of stress and financial strain. With exam fees reaching $98, students often feel compelled to enroll in AP courses to enhance their college applications. Yet this pressure creates a culture where students equate their worth with the number of AP classes they take. As I have observed in my own academic journey, the emphasis on standardized testing and AP courses can drain students mentally, reinforcing the idea that success is tied to test scores rather than individual growth and passion.
Some may argue that alternatives exist, such as the ACT or International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. However, these options are often inaccessible or underutilized. The ACT, a smaller organization, struggles to compete with the College Board’s entrenched contracts with school districts, which favor SAT testing. Moreover, the IB program is limited to a fraction of high schools and is often too costly for districts to adopt. This lack of trustworthy alternatives maintains the College Board’s dominance, leaving students with few options to escape its grasp.
The financial implications of the College Board’s monopoly extend beyond exam fees. Students are frequently pressured to incur additional costs for sending scores to colleges, further increasing economic disparities. The College Board’s non-profit status is undermined by the high salaries of its executives, which raises ethical questions about the organization’s true mission and its impact on students’ futures. The stark disparity between the organization’s revenue and the financial burden placed on students is troubling.
The monopolization of the College Board and its associated testing systems has created a landscape where students feel trapped in a cycle of economic strain and academic pressure. The current system is not only unfair but also detrimental to students’ mental health and overall well-being. As I navigate this complex educational environment, I believe it is crucial for students to voice their concerns and advocate for change.
While the College Board may offer some conveniences, it is essential to recognize the broader implications of its control. The stakes are high, and the future of countless students hangs in the balance. It is time to dismantle this monopoly and create a more equitable educational landscape for all. By challenging the status quo, we can work towards a future where success is defined not by standardized test scores or the number of AP classes taken but by individual growth and the pursuit of one’s passions. The call for reform is a necessary step towards ensuring that education serves as a pathway to opportunity for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
