College Admission Examination in America
As a professor at a large American university, there is a phrase that I hear often from students: "I'm only a 1050."
The unlucky students are speaking of the score on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), which is used to determine whether they will be admitted to the college or university of their choice, or even have a chance to get a higher education at all.
The SAT score, whether it is 800, 1 100 or 1550, has becomes the focus at this time of their life.
It is obvious that if students value highly their test scores, then a great amount of their self-respect is put in the number. Students who perform poorly on the exam are left feeling that it is all over.
The low test score, they think, will make it impossible for them to get into a good college.
And without a degree from a prestigious university, they fear that many of life's doors will remain forever closed.