The SAT® Beyond AdmissionMidwest ACACMay 21, 2012

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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.

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Question of the Day – May 21

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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.

Introduction

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American Indian

Asian

Black

Hispanic

White

Other

No Response

1%

9%

14%

17%

54%

3%

2%

1%

6%

15%

18%

59%

NA

NA

SAT® Reflects the diversity of the nation’s classrooms

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US Public SchoolSAT Takers

US Public SchoolGraduates

84% of SAT Takers report attending public school

Source: 2011 College-Bound Seniors Total Group Report; WICHE (2008)

SAT participation closely reflects the distribution of minority students graduating from U.S. public schools.

A Measure of College Readiness

The SAT evaluates the cognitive tools necessary to succeed in college and beyond, including the ability to:

– Think critically

– Solve problems

– Communicate effectively

What is the SAT®

?

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A Predictor of College Outcomes

Is a valid predictor of meaningful college outcomes on a student’s path to a college degree, including:

– Freshman Year GPA

– 2nd, 3rd and 4th year GPAs

– College Retention

Every SAT® Knowledge and Skills Topic is represented in the Common Core State Standards

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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

SAT Writing Knowledge and Skills Topics

Number & Operations

Algebra & Functions

Geometry & Measurement

Data, Statistics & Probability

Problem Solving

Representation

Connections

Communication

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

Determining the Meaning of Words

Author’s Craft

Reasoning and Inference

Organization and Ideas

Understanding Literary Elements

Source: Vasavada, N., Carman, E., Hart, B. Luisier, D.; Common Core State Standards Alignment: readiStep™, PSAT/NMSQT® and SAT; College Board, 2011

Test Scores

SAT

Critical Reading CR 200–800

Math M 200–800

Writing(Subscores)

W 200–800(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

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.

The SAT writing section is driving a new focus on writing.

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.

– 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

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:

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 ScoresCritical Reading 593

Mathematics 606

Writing 578

(7% participation rate)

SAT Performance by Core Curriculum Participation

Reading Math Writing

Core Curriculum 518 531 509

Non-Core Curriculum 467 481 459

Difference +51 +50 +50

Critical Reading Mathematics Writing450

475

500

525

550

Students Without Core Cur-riculum

Mean

Sco

re

+51 points +50 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.

Reflects SAT takers in the class of 2010 who took the SAT through March 2010.

– 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

The SAT® is the most rigorously researched and designed standardized test in the world.

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)

Fairness

Extensive external research confirms that the SAT ® is not biased

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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.

Most are familiar with the SAT® as one factor colleges and universities use to

admit students.19

Outreach to community to support

college aspirations;

inform about

institution

Recruit and pursue best

qualified students

Select applicants

for admission based on

enrollment objectives

Send admission offers and

financial aid awards; perform outreach activities

Enroll, register and

place students

Manage and maintain student

persistence

Research and identify

potential college-bound

students

Develop and manage alumni

relationships

Inspire Search Recruit Admit Yield Enroll Retain Graduate

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.

The SAT and SAT Subject Tests are used by admission and enrollment officers to impact decisions throughout the enrollment process.

Valuable for college and university

recruitment efforts

One of the most

reliable and predictive factors in

the college application

process

Useful criteria to

target scholarship awards and yield efforts

Supports colleges and universities

to place students in their first-

year classes

Consistent and strong predictors of college retention

Rich sources of student data that

help colleges and universities

target specific

populations

Inspire Search Recruit Admit Yield Enroll Retain Graduate

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The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ are rich sources of student data that help colleges and universities target specific populations to meet enrollment goals.

Search

– 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

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The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ are valuable for college and university recruitment efforts.

Colleges and universities can:– Gauge the level of student interest• Students who send their SAT scores to a college or university (especially as juniors and

sophomores) demonstrate a strong interest in that institution

– Qualify their prospect pools• 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

Recruit

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The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ continue to be one of the most reliable and predictive factors in the college application process.

Predictability of SAT Beyond GPA

– 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.

Admit

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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

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%

High School Grades Shifting Over Time

*Based on four-point system, where A=100Note: 1990 GPAs reflect both SAT Subject Test-takers and SAT® takers. GPAs for 1995-2010 reflect SAT® takers only.

Most students benefit from taking the SAT twice: once in the spring

of their junior year, and again in the fall of senior year.

Correlation* of SAT® and High School GPA to First-Year College GPA

Validity: Indication of First-Year Performance

– 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).

Predictor Correlation

SAT Mathematics .49

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

The SAT® provides a meaningful prediction of how students will perform in their first year of college.

What does a correlation of 0.56 mean?

600-890 900-1190 1200-1490 1500-1790 1800-2090 2100-24000%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

8%18%

33%

54%

74%

89%

Freshman GPA of B or Higher

% E

arn

ing

B o

r h

igh

er

SAT Scores: Mathematics + Critical Reading + Writing

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

Yield

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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

Enroll

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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

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The SAT also predicts students’ likeliness to return their sophomore year.

600-890 900-1190 1200-1490 1500-1790 1800-2090 2100-2400 50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

64%

73%79%

85%

92%96%

Percent Returning Sophomore Year

SAT Score BandN=105 N=3,172 N=32,393 N=63,319 N=40,276 N=8,734

Source: Is Performance on the SAT Related to College Retention? 2009

Retain

The SAT® and SAT Subject Tests™ are useful throughout the enrollment process

• 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.

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Inspire Search Recruit Admit Yield Enroll Retain Graduate

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What are SAT Subject Tests?

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What is assessed on SAT Subject Tests?

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The only national standardized college entrance exam of high school level content knowledge

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Students taking SAT Subject Tests are diverse

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Students taking SAT Subject Tests are high achieving and focused

Thank you!

Paul SchroederSenior Educational ManagerThe College Boardpschroeder@collegeboard.org

Scott SmithEducational ManagerThe College Boardscsmith@collegeboard.org

Rachelle HernandezInterim Director of AdmissionsUniversity of Minnesota – Twin Citiesrachelle@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

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Practicing for the SAT and SAT Subject Tests Planning for Test Day

SAT Question of the Day – FREESAT Question of the Day Mobile App – FREE SAT Practice Questions – FREESAT Subject Test Practice Questions – FREESAT Practice Test – FREEMathematics Review – FREEEffective Writing Review – FREESAT® Skills Insight™ – FREEThe SAT® Practice Booklet – FREEOfficial SAT Study Guide™: 2nd Ed.Official SAT Subject Test Study Guide™: 2nd Ed.The Official SAT Online Course™

My SAT Study Plan™ – FREEAnswers Imagined – FREE SAT Test Taking Approaches – FREESAT Essay Strategies – FREESAT Subject Test Taking Approaches – FREESAT Subject Test Recommended Skills and Prerequisites – FREESAT Subject Test Web Resources – FREE

Expanded Practice Questions Answer Explanations Recommended Preparation

Important Test Day information on: How to Do Your Best What to Bring Standby Testing If You’re Absent SAT Test Center Closing Make-up Testing Test Security and Fairness

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

Most SAT Practice Tools are FREE!

SAT scores are grouped into six “score bands” between 200 and 800.

For each score band, academic skills are categorized by skill group.

“Suggestions for Improvement” help students advance to a higher score band.

“Academic Skills” areskills typical of students who score within the selected score band.

“Skill Examples” areactual SAT questions that illustrate the meaning of the skills.

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.