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The Scholastic Aptitude Test is under intense scrutiny today, partly because of threats to affirmative action, changes in admission procedures, and a growing preoccupation with test scores from elementary school through high school. People wonder what SAT scores mean, how they affect admission decisions, how well they predict college grades, why there are racial and gender differences in scores, if expensive coaching raises scores, and whether the test supports an unfair academic elitE.We hope the following information will shed some light on these issues.
We believe diversity can enrich the intellectual and social experiences of students, encourage their personal growth, prepare them to become good citizens in a pluralistic society, and contribute to the nation's economic health. These benefits are essential for a nation that is undergoing massive demographic changE.
In keeping with this belief, we support the commitment of colleges and universities to racially and ethnically diverse student populations, and hope they will be given the flexibility they need to meet this goal. After admission officials have identified applicants who can succeed at their institutions, they must be able to consider relevant factors that support diversity. However, they should meet their goal without instituting quotas or lowering academic standards to admit unqualified students. Colleges and universities determine how best to use test scores and other information to meet their goals. Our guidelines on test score use recommend that they consider all relevant factors in the admission process.
Colleges use the scores to predict freshman performance in collegE.The SAT is a three-hour test that measures two skills related to freshman performance in college — verbal and mathematical reasoning. It does not pretend to measure all factors related to freshman success, but its scores have a statistically significant relationship to that success. SAT scores are also better than the high school record in predicting college grades in science and other math-based courses. Colleges use the scores to make part of their admission decisions, counsel students about courses and majors, place students in appropriate courses, and identify applicants to recruit. Students use SAT scores to select colleges at which they have a reasonable chance for success. The scores also add an element of fairness to the admission process because applicants' classroom grades and courses vary from student to student, teacher to teacher, and school to school. Colleges use SAT scores to predict first-year — not four-year — grades because freshmen tend to take similar introductory courses. Grades in the later years of college are more likely to reflect different grading patterns, courses and rigor across majors. At four-year colleges, final grade averages resemble first-year averages, however, because most dropouts do not leave for academic reasons.
The Scholastic Aptitude Test is under intense scrutiny today, NOT because of
A.different attitudes to admission decisions.
B.a growing influence of the SAT scores.
C.a growing preoccupation with test scores.
D.scores raised through expensive coaching.