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itsjustpk Member since 2003

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Displaying articles for: 05-31-2009 - 06-06-2009

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.

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