The SAT is a college admission test.  Nearly all four-year colleges and universities in the U.S., including test optional institutions, use SAT scores because the SAT is a reliable measure of college readiness as well as a fair and valid indicator of likely college success for students from all backgrounds. The SAT measures the critical reading, mathematics, and writing knowledge and skills that are part of a rigorous high school curriculum, and how well students can apply that knowledge. The SAT also measures academic preparedness for college by examining how a student reasons, communicates, and solves problems.

For more information on the SAT, please visit College Board's website.