'American Idol' on an Admissions Test? SAT Test Takers Distraught Over Reality TV Question

Most of us have had the experience of taking an exam and coming to a question that we have absolutely no idea how to answer. Usually it has something to do with a complicated math problem or an obscure historical event, but what if the question was about reality TV?

According to Hollywood Reporter, a number of students who recently took the SATs are up in arms about an essay question that asked about reality TV. Since some of the students don't watch reality TV (some don't even watch TV at all), they felt it was an unfair question to ask.

Here's the wording of the SAT question:

"These shows depict ordinary people competing in everything from singing and dancing to losing weight, or just living their everyday lives. ... Most people believe that the reality these shows portray is authentic, but they are being misled. How authentic can these shows be when producers design challenges for the participants and then editors alter filmed scenes?"

Peter Kauffman, the VP of communications at the College Board, made a very valid point in saying that "everything you need to write the essay is in the essay prompt."

But the students have a valid point as well, in that while the question might not require any specific knowledge of reality TV shows, to speak to the authenticity of the events on the shows would probably require having watched one at some point.

What do you think? Fair game, or foul play? I know I would have loved to have a question about reality TV on my SATs.