Why are the SAT® exams so important in the US?

[Harbinger]

I'm very curious as to why this test is held in such high esteem by America. It appears to be just as meaningless as every other standardized test, so why is this test so influential on teen's futures?

[Prezbucky]

Some standardized tests are useful for measuring a person's intelligence, memory, problem-solving skills, application skills, etc.

The SAT will give schools an idea of where you are in terms of math skills, reading/English skills, and the ability to use logic to answer questions. (among other indicators)

The more you know now, the less they'll have to spend (time and money) bringing you up to speed.
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Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.

[Laserprecision2]

A lot of schools use SAT as a huge portion of the application (such as UC's in california).