The SAT is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. Given its importance in the admissions process, an increasing number of all test takers use some form of preparation, or “coaching,” before taking the SAT, and it is now commonplace for students to take the test more than once. SAT preparation ranges from the use of self-study materials, such as printed books and online courses, to guided instruction, such as classroom courses and private tutoring. Critics of the SAT cite the expense and extensive use of test preparation as evidence of the effects of economic inequality in the college admissions process.

The SAT is owned by the College Board and is written and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Ironically, given ...