That all sounds a bit naive in the context of New York City. Good luck advocating for admission policy changes in a system this large that is highly politicized, racially split etc.
I believe you're confusing naïveté and morality. Unethical behaviour is unethical irrespective of whether it takes place in a small town or large city. And yes, I would consider anything beyond cursory test prep (e.g. buying a book to familiarize the child briefly with the general format of the test, maybe taking a practice test or two) to be gaming the system. People with the economic means and inclination are buying external, intensive resources to favour their children. Those hurt most by this type of behaviour are low income, high-ability students, and it artificially perpetuates their disadvantage in accessing training commensurate with their abilities.
Now, when the super-prep-doping-tests are introduced, then of course any and all prep will be justified, and everyone's child will get the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court discount at the movies.
