Re: SAT VS. API
Most states have some form of school assessment public schools between kindergarten and high school.
In my state, they are rolling out a new test called "The Keystone Exams" (Pennsylvania is called the Keystone State). In New York, where I grew up, we had "Regents Exams." Apparently, California has the API.
These exams have nothing to do with getting into college.
I'm not a teacher, but I write for a living. Please don't ask me about 2nd conditionals, but I'm a safe bet for what reads well in (American) English.