I don't want to follow my kid to school (sounds boring), plus, as another poster pointed out, you can't control Sims in more than one location, so while I'm doing a checklist for my kid, the rest of the family is raiding the fridge. I wouldn't mind if I had the option to not accompany my kid, as with active careers, so long as it wouldn't have a negative impact on their grades.
I'm not keen on an Americanised version or a lot of drama - that wasn't fun when I was in high school, and I've no desire to relive it. I like the way they've done University, allowing students to get involved in campus social life or not.
As for SATs, they won't call them that, and I think most countries have some version of a completion or assessment exam - many American students now go for the international baccalaureate because it gives them credit toward university classes and can also be used for study abroad.