<p>Yes, at HYPSM's level, they will only count for 20% of the application because they are more used as thresholds - a 2400 aside, a 2390 and a 2250 both show that the applicant is at a certain level. If both applicants are borderline, the 2390 applicant then has an advantage, but for the most part, the scores are just to show that you are capable. The extracurricular activities tend to cover the lost weight of the SAT scores.</p>
<p>Then, some schools (your average college with a ~80% acceptance rate) will take a 2400 SAT candidate, even if they have a 2.5 GPA.</p>
<p>But really, as said, it is hard to quantify the weight that SAT scores bear on the application. However, I think a good indicator for semi-selective schools would be to look at the mid and lower UCs' scoring tables (UCSD's, scroll down: <a href="https://tritonlink.ucsd.edu/portal/site/prospective-students/menuitem.24134797e5e2fd95a0b86710514b01ca?storyID=20690#selection%5B/url%5D">https://tritonlink.ucsd.edu/portal/site/prospective-students/menuitem.24134797e5e2fd95a0b86710514b01ca?storyID=20690#selection</a> ). There, SAT scores are worth 3,200 points and GPA is worth 4,500 points, maximum. Let's just estimate that a very strong, "full" application is worth 10,000 points. Right there, the SAT is slightly over 30% of the application. </p>
<p>If the SAT's weight has really been bumped up to 4,000 points, as Davis has done (<a href="http://admissions.ucdavis.edu/admissions/fr_selection_process.cfm)%5B/url%5D">http://admissions.ucdavis.edu/admissions/fr_selection_process.cfm)</a>, then it even carries more weight. </p>
<p>So as you can see, at UCSD, which has a decently respectable 40% acceptance rate, the SAT is worth about 30% of the application.</p>
<p>There, I cited some sources. Now what about my argument against the "poor test-taker" excuse?</p>