Leading article: Time for SATs?

The news that the Government is to try out American-style SAT tests for university entry shows that it means business. A-levels are proving inadequate as a way of identifying the best, so other sifting mechanisms are required. SATs test different qualities from A-levels. Arguably, they are better at measuring innate ability rather than whether someone is good at cramming. Of course, candidates who are well prepared for SATs by good teaching and extra tuition will do better than those who are not. But that doesn't mean SATs should not be tried as an extra way to identify the brightest 18-year-olds.