Campus Bound

turn off suggestions

SATs being misused in admissions?

by Gregg on 06-01-2009 05:23 PM

A recent article in USA Today brings up some interesting concerns about the use of standardized tests in admissions.  It appears that many colleges may be ignoring important statistics when reviewing applications.

 

As with any test, scores from the SATs and ACTs can only be accurate to within a certain range-within that range, fluctuation can occur due to factors outside of the student's control, such as scoring error.  USA Today reports that a 30-point fluctuation in the SAT is insignificant statistically, yet colleges admit that even 10 or 20 points difference can play a large role in a student's chances for admission.

 

This highlights the importance of being as prepared as possible for all parts of the college admission process.  If SAT tutoring can help your score even a tiny bit, perhaps it is worth it.  If your essay can be just a bit better with advice from an expert, seek help.  If colleges are making admissions decisions on statistically insignificant data, you need to make sure you are putting your best foot forward at every opportunity.

 

As an aside, it would be shortsighted to not comment on this as a reflection of how number driven our society has become.  On the flip side of this issue is another big one-students selecting colleges by "rank."  Whether in US News & World Report or any other magazine's college issue, students and families often tout the ranking associated with a college and assume that a higher ranking means a school is better.  In fact, I wonder what the range of error is in that system - 2 places?  5?  10?

 

Colleges may be guilty of relying too heavily on exact SAT scores, but families, too, may be guilty of relying too heavily on other numbers.

0
Bookmark and Share
Blogroll

Participation in the Upromise Community is subject to the terms and conditions of the Upromise Community Rules and Upromise.

Upromise Community bloggers are employees of Upromise and are compensated by Upromise for their blog posts. Upromise blogs that reference a Upromise partner(s) are reviewed and approved by the applicable partner(s).

Important Note: Any links to partner websites used in the Upromise Community blogs are provided for your convenience only. If you use unauthorized promotion codes or link directly to partner web sites from the Community to make purchases, you will forfeit Upromise contributions. Remember to always start your online shopping at www.upromise.com in order to earn your Upromise rewards.

While Upromise makes good faith efforts to ensure the accuracy of the deals posted on our site, Upromise partner offers are subject to change by the retailer without notice and any descriptive, typographical or other error is subject to correction. Upromise shall have no liability of any kind for any such changes or errors. If not otherwise indicated, free shipping offers are valid for standard domestic shipping only and do not include express, international or other shipping services. Some special product, order or handling fees may still apply. See the retailer's site for complete details.

Specific terms and conditions apply to each participating company's contributions and can be found in the Program Details or by clicking on the "store info" popup for that company. Participating companies, contribution levels and terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice.

Links to external websites do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Upromise of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. Upromise bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of external sites or subsequent links.

*The $100 more a year savings figure is based on Upromise internal reporting data for 2007 and 2008 comparing the average Upromise savings for members who joined Upromise prior to such year and used the Upromise credit card at least once during the year with the averagae Upromise savings for members who joined Upromise prior to such year and have not opened a Upromise credit card account.