The purpose of this study is to understand how well the national SAT Validity Study results (Westrick et al., 2019), which is based on the entering class of 2017, generalize to other cohorts of students and how well the SAT predicts longer term outcomes beyond first-year grade point average (FYGPA) and second-year retention. Results show that the…

Utilizing course grade data from 22 four-year higher education institutions, this study highlights the trends in first-year grade point average (FYGPA) between the 2017-2018 and 2021-2022 academic years, the period immediately before and after the pandemic disrupted both K12 and higher education. Results showed that while FYGPAs generally…

This SAT® validity study focuses on SAT relationships with student outcomes in career and technical education (CTE) programs at two-year postsecondary institutions. This study draws upon two samples, one with 14,357 students initially enrolled at 55 two-year institutions and another with 46,098 students initially enrolled at 580 institutions.…

This study examines relationships between digital SAT scores and other relevant educational measures, such as high school grade point average (HSGPA), PSAT/NMSQT Total score, and Average AP Exam score, and compares those relationships to current paper and pencil SAT score relationships with the same measures. This information can provide…

This report examines the value of SAT scores for determining merit-based scholarship decisions as well as admission to highly selective academic programs such as honors programs or colleges. Results show that the SAT is a highly effective tool for predicting students' chances of earning a first-year grade point average (FYGPA) of 3.00 or higher…

This study explored how the SAT and High School Grade Point Average (HSGPA) can work together to help institutions to confidently admit, place, and support students in their academic majors while promoting student opportunity and success as well as institutional health and success. In particular, this study examined the differential validity of…

This study provides an initial analysis of the validity of the SAT to predict the academic performance of students attending higher education institutions outside of the U.S. The results from these three institutions (located in India, Scotland [United Kingdom], and Lebanon, respectively) provide evidence that the SAT is indeed a strong predictor…

Traditionally, a college grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or higher has signified that a student has made acceptable academic progress and avoided academic probation. However, having a 3.00 or higher has signified a level of success that is often required for admission to graduate school, maintaining a scholarship or enrollment in an honors…

Recent national research on the validity of the SAT shows that students with higher SAT scores are more likely to earn higher grades in college, and that SAT scores add about 15% more predictive power above high school grade point average (HSGPA) to estimate students' college performance (Westrick, Marini, Young, Ng, Shmueli, & Shaw, 2019).…

This pilot study examines digital SAT® score relationships with first-year college performance. Results show that digital SAT scores predict college performance as well as paper and pencil SAT scores, and that digital SAT scores meaningfully improve our understanding of a student's readiness for college above high school grade point average…

This paper presents the results of a national validity study examining relationships between new SAT Essay scores and first semester grades in English and writing courses, as well as first-year grade point average (FYGPA) in college. The sample includes more than 180,000 first-year students across 171 four-year institutions. Results show that…

College professors, administrators, admission officers, and other higher education leaders expect students to arrive at college ready and able to write, as it is among the most critical skills for college success. Knowing when writing is a weakness for a student and when additional instruction or support is needed is essential for advancing…

The continued accumulation of validity evidence for the intended uses of educational assessment scores is critical to ensuring that inferences made using the scores are sound. To that end, the College Board has continued to collect college outcome data to evaluate the relationship between SAT® scores and college success. This report provides…

The Advanced Placement® (AP®) Program offers high school students the opportunity to take rigorous coursework in high school and receive college credit for AP Exam scores that meet or exceed the requirements of their attending institution. Students receiving AP credit are typically exempted from an introductory level course or series of courses…

The current study examines how the integration of SAT scores with context information about students' neighborhood and high school from the College Board's Landscape™ resource can provide institutions with a nuanced perspective on students' expected performance and retention. This allows institutions to identify incoming students that may benefit…