Seems like this is another one of those very complex questions that's being reduced to black and white nuclear-option alternatives.
Some individuals are smarter than others. That's just how it is. But that doesn't mean that aggressive test prep doesn't give wealthier kids an edge. I've seen lots of stories about people who spend thousands of dollars over the course of years on prepping their kids for these exams. Where does that leave you if you can't pony up the cash? There is no way my family could have afforded that kind test prep for me.
IMO, any entrance exam to a public high school should be given on even ground. Outcomes will differ, but everyone should start from an equal footing. In other words, they should be using an exam that people can't prep for.
But more importantly, the real problem is that New York City needs more schools for gifted kids. As the system stands right now, it pits people against one another with predictable results: the parents of hyper-prepped, stressed out upper middle class teenagers are outcompeting the parents of bright low income kids who see themselves as having no recourse but to sue. Each side has its own nuclear option. What they really need is to designate more schools are being for gifted students. It's not like they'd have to build new ones. They'd just have to do a bit of shuffling.
