Is it really racial discrimination to give a job to a white guy because he scored higher than a black one?

Seven black city firefighters passed over for promotion because they did not score high enough on a written exam will rise to captains' ranks and get cash payments if the Houston City Council approves a lawsuit settlement. The seven passed exams for captain or senior captain in 2006, but many white firefighters scored higher. Because promotions were awarded to candidates with the highest scores, the seven did not make the cut. They sued in 2008, arguing the city discriminated against them by using a "racially biased test." The lawsuit states that the promotional exams "have an adverse impact upon African-Americans." Whites who passed the exam were promoted at more than twice the rate of blacks who passed, according to the suit.