The SAT's 100-year grip on higher ed
The SAT's 100-year grip on higher ed  
Podcast: Throughline
Published On: Tue Sep 01 2026
Description: For generations, the SAT has loomed large in the lives of teenagers. The quest for a perfect or near-perfect score has filled many test takers with dread. In this episode, a listener's question makes us wonder... who decided the SAT was the best and brightest way to filter students? And how did it become the pathway to higher education in America?Guests:Nicholas Lemann, author of The Big Test and Higher AdmissionsSupport public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy