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An In-Depth Exploration of SAT® Math Scores for Use in College Course Placement

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Title: An In-Depth Exploration of SAT® Math Scores for Use in College Course Placement
Language: English
Authors: Paul A. Westrick, Jessica P. Marini, Emily J. Shaw, College Board
Source: College Board. 2025.
Availability: College Board. 250 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10281. Tel: 212-713-8000; e-mail: research@collegeboard.org; Web site: http://research.collegeboard.org
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 29
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
High Schools
Secondary Education
Descriptors: College Entrance Examinations, Mathematics Tests, Scores, Prediction, Grades (Scholastic), Mathematics Achievement, Test Validity, Student Placement, College Mathematics, Undergraduate Students, College Admission, Selective Admission, Institutional Characteristics, College Preparation
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: SAT (College Admission Test)
Abstract: This study examines the value of SAT Math scores for predicting first-year college math course performance, beyond HSGPA, and across colleges and universities of varying selectivity. Findings demonstrate that SAT Math scores are a highly useful tool for course placement, above and beyond HS grades, and that the validity of scores hold across institutional selectivity segments and regardless of when the SAT was taken in high school. Using data from 152,829 students attending 54 higher education institutions, differential validity, placement accuracy, probability of success, and differential prediction analyses were conducted. Results indicated that all SAT Math score relationships with math course grades were positive, 0.50 or higher, demonstrating strong relationships. Moreover, the incremental validity of SAT scores beyond that of HSGPA alone was 0.10, a 20% increase. Additional analyses indicated that the admission selectivity did not differentially impact the relationship between SAT scores and math course grades. Findings from this study show that SAT Math scores are a highly predictive tool to ensure that students are prepared for first-year math coursework and to identify students who may need additional support to be successful.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: ED673672
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
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PubType: Report
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  Data: An In-Depth Exploration of SAT® Math Scores for Use in College Course Placement
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Paul+A%2E+Westrick%22">Paul A. Westrick</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jessica+P%2E+Marini%22">Jessica P. Marini</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Emily+J%2E+Shaw%22">Emily J. Shaw</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22College+Board%22">College Board</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22College+Board%22"><i>College Board</i></searchLink>. 2025.
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  Data: College Board. 250 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10281. Tel: 212-713-8000; e-mail: research@collegeboard.org; Web site: http://research.collegeboard.org
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  Data: 29
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22High+Schools%22">High Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Entrance+Examinations%22">College Entrance Examinations</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mathematics+Tests%22">Mathematics Tests</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scores%22">Scores</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Prediction%22">Prediction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grades+%28Scholastic%29%22">Grades (Scholastic)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mathematics+Achievement%22">Mathematics Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Test+Validity%22">Test Validity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Placement%22">Student Placement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Mathematics%22">College Mathematics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Admission%22">College Admission</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Selective+Admission%22">Selective Admission</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Institutional+Characteristics%22">Institutional Characteristics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Preparation%22">College Preparation</searchLink>
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  Data: This study examines the value of SAT Math scores for predicting first-year college math course performance, beyond HSGPA, and across colleges and universities of varying selectivity. Findings demonstrate that SAT Math scores are a highly useful tool for course placement, above and beyond HS grades, and that the validity of scores hold across institutional selectivity segments and regardless of when the SAT was taken in high school. Using data from 152,829 students attending 54 higher education institutions, differential validity, placement accuracy, probability of success, and differential prediction analyses were conducted. Results indicated that all SAT Math score relationships with math course grades were positive, 0.50 or higher, demonstrating strong relationships. Moreover, the incremental validity of SAT scores beyond that of HSGPA alone was 0.10, a 20% increase. Additional analyses indicated that the admission selectivity did not differentially impact the relationship between SAT scores and math course grades. Findings from this study show that SAT Math scores are a highly predictive tool to ensure that students are prepared for first-year math coursework and to identify students who may need additional support to be successful.
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: ED673672
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=ED673672
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 29
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: College Entrance Examinations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mathematics Tests
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Scores
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      – SubjectFull: Prediction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Grades (Scholastic)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mathematics Achievement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Test Validity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Placement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Mathematics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Admission
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Selective Admission
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      – SubjectFull: Institutional Characteristics
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      – SubjectFull: College Preparation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: SAT (College Admission Test)
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      – TitleFull: An In-Depth Exploration of SAT® Math Scores for Use in College Course Placement
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