The
®
SAT
Beyond
Admission
Midwest ACAC
May 21, 2012
The College Board’s mission is to
connect students to college success
and opportunity.
We are a not-for-profit membership
organization committed to excellence
and equality in education.
Question of the Day – May 21
Introduction
Developed more than 80 years ago as
a tool to help democratize higher
education access for all students, the
SAT ® has grown to become the
world’s most widely used college
entrance exam.
The SAT continues to evolve and
improve to meet the needs of a
dynamic education landscape.
However, the SAT has always served
the primary mission of the College
Board: to connect students to college
opportunity and success.
SAT® Reflects the diversity of the
nation’s classrooms
SAT participation closely reflects the distribution of minority students graduating
from U.S. public schools.
US Public School
SAT Takers
American Indian
Asian
84% of SAT Takers
report attending
public school
US Public School
Graduates
1%
1%
9%
6%
14%
15%
Black
17%
18%
Hispanic
54%
59%
White
Other
No Response
3%
NA
2%
NA
Source: 2011 College-Bound Seniors Total Group Report; WICHE (2008)
®
What is the SAT ?
A Measure of College Readiness
A Predictor of College Outcomes
The SAT evaluates the cognitive tools
necessary to succeed in college and
beyond, including
the ability to:
Is a valid predictor of meaningful
college outcomes on a student’s path to
a college degree, including:
–
Think critically
–
Freshman Year GPA
–
Solve problems
–
2nd, 3rd and 4th year GPAs
–
Communicate effectively
–
College Retention
Every SAT® Knowledge and Skills Topic is
represented in the Common Core State Standards
The knowledge and skills covered on the SAT are directly linked to what
students are learning in the classroom
SAT Critical Reading
Knowledge and Skills Topics

SAT Mathematics
Knowledge and Skills Topics
Determining the Meaning
of Words

Number & Operations

Algebra & Functions

Author’s Craft

Geometry & Measurement

Reasoning and Inference


Organization and Ideas
Data, Statistics &
Probability

Understanding Literary
Elements

Problem Solving

Representation

Connections

Communication
SAT Writing
Knowledge and Skills Topics

Manage Word Choice and
Grammatical Relationships
Between Words

Manage Grammatical
Structures Used to Modify
or Compare

Manage Phrases and
Clauses in a Sentence

Recognize Correctly
Formed Sentences

Manage Order and
Relationships of
Sentences and
Paragraphs
Source: Vasavada, N., Carman, E., Hart, B. Luisier, D.; Common Core State Standards Alignment:
®
Test Scores
SAT
Critical Reading
Math
CR 200–800
M 200–800
W 200–800
Writing
(Subscores)
(Essay 2–12 )
[1/3 of writing score]
(Multiple-choice 20–80)
[2/3 of writing score]
Scoring
Holistic Scoring of Essays
–
Two English teachers score essays on 1 to 6 scale
– Third reader when they disagree (about 2% of time)
– Quick, supportive read for impression of whole essay, compared to
Scoring Guide and range-finder essays
– Do not focus on grammar, spelling, essay length
Correction for Guessing on Multiple Choice Questions
–
+1 point for correct answers; - ¼ point for incorrect answers
– Avoids rewarding wild guessing (on average, you’d guess correctly 1
out of 5 times, gaining 1 point, losing four ¼-points, netting nothing)
Scanning at Pearson; scoring at ETS
–
Every answer sheet scanned twice, acclimatized in between
– Equating, to make sure scores mean the same thing from test to test
The SAT writing section is driving a new focus
on writing.
A survey of teachers tells
us that…

76% of English teachers
report an increased focus
on writing.

75% of English teachers
reported that students’
writing skills have
improved.

53% of those surveyed
say the SAT writing test
has helped drive this
change.
Good Writing Is Essential to College Success
•Writing is an increasingly-necessary skill for high
school, college and the world of work.
•Like every other section of the SAT, the writing
section tests what a student has learned in the
classroom and how well they apply that
knowledge.
•The writing section requires students to think
critically, articulate a coherent argument and
express a point of view.
Colleges and Universities Use the
SAT…
The SAT ® is taken by
high school students
throughout the United States
and the world.
Colleges and universities
use SAT scores:
–
As one of several
factors to make
admission decisions
–
As a check against
grade inflation and
variation in high school
programs
–
For class placement
and scholarship
opportunities
Class of 2011 SAT Report
1,647,123 students in the class of 2011 took the SAT
National Average Scores (All Schools)
Critical Reading
500
Mathematics
515
Writing
491
Minnesota Average Scores
Critical Reading
593
Mathematics
606
Writing
578
(7% participation rate)
SAT Performance by Core Curriculum
Participation
550
525
Mean Score
+50 points
+51 points
+50 points
Core curriculum is defined
by at least four years of
English, and at least three
years of mathematics, three
years of natural science, and
three years of social science
and history.
500
475
450
Critical Reading Mathematics
Writing
Reading
Math
Writing
Core Curriculum
518
531
509
Non-Core Curriculum
467
481
459
Difference
+51
+50
+50
Students
Without
Core
Curriculum
Reflects SAT takers in the class of 2010 who took the SAT through March 2010.
Fairness
–
The SAT® is the most
rigorously researched
and designed standardized
test in the world.
Every question goes through
many internal and external
reviews, including a sensitivity
review to avoid concerns with:
• Gender
• Ethnicity/Race
• Disabilities
• Controversial topics like war,
violence and politics
–
Every question is field-tested in
50 states and eliminated if
students from different groups
perform inconsistently.
Fairness
While score gaps among
groups do exist, the differences
in SAT® subgroup performance
reflect the unfortunate inequities
in educational opportunities
nationwide.
With regard to socioeconomic
status, research shows that
“SAT retains virtually all of its
predictive power when SES
is controlled.”
–
While there is a relationship
between SAT scores and
SES (correlation of .42) …
–
There is a stronger
relationship between SAT
scores and college grades
(correlation of .47)
–
After controlling for
SES, SAT scores are
still a strong and effective
measure for predicting
first-year college performance
(correlation = .44)
Extensive external research confirms
that the SAT ® is not biased
There is a substantial body of
literature indicating that individual
item bias has been largely
mitigated in today’s admission test
due to extensive external research
and development of question items
on both the SAT and ACT®.
-NACAC Testing Commission Report
-September 2008
College and University Enrollment Process
Every college and university engages in a series of activities to attract a strong
class of college-bound students to meet its enrollment objectives.
Inspire
Search
Outreach to
Research
community and identify
to support
potential
college
collegeaspirations;
bound
inform
students
about
institution
Recruit
Admit
Recruit and
pursue best
qualified
students
Select
applicants
for
admission
based on
enrollment
objectives
Yield
Send
admission
offers and
financial aid
awards;
perform
outreach
activities
Most are familiar with the SAT® as one
factor colleges and universities use to
admit students.
Enroll
Enroll,
register and
place
students
Retain
Graduate
Manage and Develop and
maintain
manage
student
alumni
persistence relationships
College and University Enrollment Process
In fact, colleges and universities use the SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ to support
enrollment goals at many steps throughout the journey.
Inspire
Search
Rich sources
of student
data that
help
colleges and
universities
target
specific
populations
Recruit
Admit
Valuable for
college and
university
recruitment
efforts
One of the
most
reliable and
predictive
factors in
the college
application
process
Yield
Useful
criteria to
target
scholarship
awards and
yield efforts
Enroll
Retain
Supports
colleges and
universities
to place
students in
their firstyear classes
Consistent
and strong
predictors
of college
retention
The SAT and SAT Subject Tests are used by admission and enrollment
officers to impact decisions throughout the enrollment process.
Graduate
Search
The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ are rich sources of student data that help colleges
and universities target specific populations to meet enrollment goals.
–
A truly college-bound population
•
–
–
Students taking the SAT make a conscious and active decision to demonstrate their college
readiness
Diverse populations
•
Geographic diversity: SAT students represent all 50 states and over 170 countries
•
Underrepresented minorities: over 40% of SAT takers in 2009 were from underrepresented
minority backgrounds
Finer biographical and college interest distinctions
•
Through the SAT Student Data Questionnaire (SDQ), students share information about their
background, personal interests and college interests
•
Students taking the SAT Subject Tests signal areas of academic interest and strength
Recruit
The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ are valuable for college and
university recruitment efforts.
Colleges and universities can:
–
Gauge the level of student interest
•
–
Qualify their prospect pools
•
–
Students who send their SAT scores to a college or university (especially as juniors and
sophomores) demonstrate a strong interest in that institution
Use specific performance and SDQ information to segment populations of interest
Target students for specialized recruitment initiatives
•
Send invitations to visit the campus and/or participate in summer college programs
•
Provide additional information about the college and the application process
•
Set up student interviews and/or target high school visits
Admit
The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ continue to be one of the most reliable and
predictive factors in the college application process.
–
The SAT combined score
(CR+M+W) is a strong
predictor of college success
comparable to four years of
high school grades.
–
SAT scores provide a deeper
understanding of how
students might perform in
college beyond high school
GPA alone.
–
SAT Subject Tests provide
additional academic
measures that are highly
predictive of college success.
Predictability of SAT Beyond GPA
High School Grades Shifting Over Time
Percentage of Students With GPA of A-, A or A+ Is Increasing
1990
1995
2000
2005
2009
2010
A+, A, A-
29%
34%
40%
41%
43%
44%
B+, B, B-
53%
50%
47%
47%
46%
45%
C+, C, C-
18%
15%
12%
11%
11%
10%
Grades Are Increasing*
1990
1995
2000
2005
2009
2010
Art and Music
3.61
3.68
3.74
3.75
3.76
3.75
English
3.08
3.19
3.26
3.30
3.37
3.39
Foreign/Classical Languages
3.06
3.15
3.22
3.26
3.31
3.33
Mathematics
2.91
3.01
3.07
3.11
3.14
3.16
Natural Sciences
3.00
3.12
3.20
3.23
3.25
3.27
Social Sciences/History
3.15
3.26
3.34
3.36
3.39
3.40
Grade Average for All Subjects
3.09
3.20
3.28
3.30
3.32
3.34
*Based on four-point system, where A=100
Note: 1990 GPAs reflect both SAT Subject Test-takers and SAT® takers. GPAs
for 1995-2010 reflect SAT® takers only.
Validity: Indication of First-Year Performance
Correlation* of SAT® and High School GPA to
First-Year College GPA
–
The SAT used in combination
with HSGPA is the best
predictor of first-year college
performance (.64 correlation).
–
SAT scores predict
first-year college GPA
as well as HSGPA (.56).
–
Writing section is most
predictive of all sections (.53).
Most students benefit from taking
Predictor
Correlation
the SAT twice: once in the spring
SAT Mathematics
of their junior year, and again in .49
the fall of senior year.
SAT Critical Reading
.50
SAT Writing
.53
Combined SAT
(CR + M + W)
.56
High School GPA
.56
SAT Total + High School GPA
.64
* Correlations corrected for restriction of range
Correlation with Freshman GPA
Correlation* with
Freshman GPA for
150,000 students at 110
colleges & universities
SAT Math
.47
SAT Critical Reading
.48
SAT Writing
.51
SAT Total
.56
High School GPA
.54
SAT+HSGPA
.62
*Correlations corrected for restriction of range
What does a correlation of 0.56 mean?
The SAT® provides a meaningful prediction of how students will
perform in their first year of college.
% Earning B or higher
Freshman GPA of B or Higher
100%
89%
74%
80%
54%
60%
40%
20%
33%
18%
8%
0%
600-890
900-1190
1200-1490
1500-1790
1800-2090
2100-2400
SAT Scores: Mathematics + Critical Reading + Writing
Yield
The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ are often used by colleges and universities as
criteria to segment and target their admitted student population. Through
scholarship awards, students receive monetary support for their education.
–
–
Colleges and universities can:
•
Identify students for specialized recruitment efforts
•
Identify students for merit aid awards
Students may also be eligible for external
scholarships
•
State scholarship programs
•
Private scholarship programs
Enroll
The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ are often used as tools to support colleges and
universities to place students in their first-year classes.
With the SAT, colleges and universities can:
–
Identify students who are academically prepared to enroll in entry-level English,
writing and mathematics courses
–
Identify students who may be in need of remedial course work
•
Schools may recommend students to participate in bridge programs or enroll in remedial
courses over the summer prior to enrollment
Retain
The results from numerous research studies examining the relationship between
SAT® scores and college retention consistently reveal a positive relationship.
As SAT scores increase, so does the likelihood of a student
returning for the second and third year of college.
Retain
The SAT also predicts students’ likeliness to return their sophomore year.
Percent Returning Sophomore Year
100%
96%
92%
90%
85%
79%
80%
70%
73%
64%
60%
50%
600-890
N=105
900-1190
N=3,172
1200-1490
N=32,393
1500-1790
N=63,319
1800-2090
N=40,276
2100-2400
N=8,734
SAT Score Band
Source: Is Performance on the SAT Related to College Retention? 2009
The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ are useful
throughout the enrollment process
Inspire
Search
Recruit
Admit
Yield
Enroll
Retain
Graduate
• The SAT continues to be important tools in admitting students to colleges or
universities.
• They are also important tools for helping colleges and universities attract and
recruit students to their institutions.
• Students who send their scores early to colleges and universities demonstrate
a strong interest in those institutions and may be identified for special
recruitment opportunities.
• Even after admission, the SAT provides powerful information to aid in
enrolling, placing and retaining students.
What are SAT Subject Tests?
What is assessed on SAT Subject Tests?
The only national standardized college entrance
exam of high school level content knowledge
Students taking SAT Subject Tests are
diverse
Students taking SAT Subject Tests are
high achieving and focused
Thank you!
Paul Schroeder
Senior Educational Manager
The College Board
pschroeder@collegeboard.org
Scott Smith
Educational Manager
The College Board
scsmith@collegeboard.org
Rachelle Hernandez
Interim Director of Admissions
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
rachelle@umn.edu
Optional Slides
New Resources for Students:
Test preparation
SAT Skills Insight
MY SAT Online Score Report
SAT Practice Tools At a Glance for Students
Most SAT Practice Tools are FREE!
Practicing for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests
Planning for Test Day
SAT Question of the Day – FREE
My SAT Study Plan™ – FREE
SAT Question of the Day Mobile App – FREE
Answers Imagined – FREE
 How to Do Your Best
SAT Practice Questions – FREE
SAT Test Taking Approaches – FREE
 What to Bring
SAT Subject Test Practice Questions – FREE
SAT Essay Strategies – FREE
 Standby Testing
SAT Practice Test – FREE
SAT Subject Test Taking
 If You’re Absent
Mathematics Review – FREE
Approaches – FREE
 SAT Test Center Closing
Effective Writing Review – FREE
SAT Subject Test Recommended Skills
 Make-up Testing
SAT® Skills Insight™ – FREE
and Prerequisites – FREE
 Test Security and Fairness
The SAT® Practice Booklet – FREE
SAT Subject Test Web Resources – FREE
 Expanded Practice Questions
 Answer Explanations
 Recommended Preparation
Official SAT Study Guide™: 2nd Ed.
Official SAT Subject Test Study Guide™: 2nd Ed.
Important Test Day information on:
The Official SAT Online Course™
Helping Students Get Ready
Models, Lesson Plans, and Strategies for:
 Argumentative writing skills
 School-based SAT Practice
 The Official SAT Teacher’s Guide™
 ESL/ELL students
Professional Development Workshops:
 SAT Skills Insight
 Animating Student Writing
 Holistic Scoring Workshop
 School-Based SAT Practice
 Writing Preparation for Educators of ESL/ELL Students
5
SAT scores
are grouped into
six
“score bands”
between 200
and 800.
“Academic Skills”
are
skills typical
of students who
score within the
selected score
band.
“Skill Examples”
are
actual SAT
questions that
illustrate the
meaning of
the skills.
For each score
band, academic
skills are
categorized by
skill group.
“Suggestions for
Improvement”
help students
advance to a higher
score band.
My SAT Online Score Report: Overview
My SAT Online Score Report
is a free tool available to all
students who take the SAT
It helps students see the detail
behind their individual score, get
insight into college and career
choices, and focus their
preparation efforts for retesting
The custom reports are
posted on collegeboard.com
about three weeks after each
test date
Score Choice
Score Choice is an update to the SAT score reporting
policy which is designed to reduce stress students
experience on test day
 Students will have the option to choose the scores
(by test date) that they send to colleges, universities
and scholarship programs.
Score Choice will be available to all students at no
additional charge via the College Board website as
well as Customer Service toll-free number.