The Four-Letter Word That Works With GPA For College Admissions

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If you work in education for long, you notice that most academic trends go through extreme phases like a pendulum. College admissions trends have followed the same path, especially when it comes to standardized testing. The debate over the use of test scores in college admissions has swung between requiring them and questioning their necessity in favor of relying more on students' grade point averages (GPAs).

Proponents of the latter option sometimes consider “test” to be an ugly four-letter word. They argue that scores are not a good indicator of a student’s ability to thrive in college, although The data suggests otherwiseAnd they are right: standardized tests. is An unpleasant necessity. While high school GPAs provide valuable information, grade inflation can undermine their reliability. Neither test scores nor GPAs alone offer a complete picture of a student’s ability. Instead, looking at GPAs and test scores together in college admissions offers a more comprehensive view of a student’s academic potential.

The history and purpose of testing

Standardized tests have been central to college admissions for nearly a century. Initially, and ironically, they were Designed to foster diversity in higher educationHarvard introduced the SAT exam^® Test to identify talented students nationwide, breaking regional biases and creating opportunities for working-class students.

Over time, standardized tests have evolved in many ways. Recent changes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemicMeasures such as the transition to digital exams and increasing test dates and locations are intended to support equity. However, opponents argue that grade point average (GPA) is a better measure of a student’s readiness for college, regardless of their racial or economic background.

Come on In fact Talking about equity

A main argument against standardized testing is that replacing test scores with GPA requirements will create a level playing field for students from underprivileged backgrounds. 2018 American University Study Between 2005 and 2016, high school grade point averages were found to have increased more in wealthier suburban and private schools than in lower-income urban public schools. This highlights that high-income schools often Offer more advanced courses Just like AP classes, which leads to higher GPAs.

Additionally, wealthier families have greater access to tutoring and academic support, which improves grades. students from lower-income households Students often need to work to help support their families and cannot afford expensive extracurricular activities. These factors result in less study time and fewer activities, such as school sports and clubs, leading to lower grades and weaker college applications.

Standardized tests provide consistent metrics across a variety of educational settings.

Colleges need consistent metrics to evaluate students from diverse educational backgrounds. High school grade point averages are not standardized, making uniform comparisons difficult. Test scores provide a common measure, allowing colleges to assess students’ academic abilities relative to their peers across the country. This consistency ensures that all students are evaluated on the same criteria, offering a fair assessment of their readiness for college-level work.

A recent University of Chicago School Research Consortium Study It was found that while high school GPA alone is a predictor of college readiness, requiring GPAs and ACT^® Average grade scores reduce discrepancies between schools. Standardized tests provide an objective measure to balance discrepancies in average grade scores, ensuring a fairer assessment process.

Identifying talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds

By considering grade point averages and standardized test scores together, colleges can better identify talented students who have faced socioeconomic or educational challenges. Standardized tests can uncover hidden potential and give students a fair chance to demonstrate their abilities.

For example, the Massachusetts Institute of technology (MIT) recently… Testing requirements have been reinstated and subsequently admitted its most diverse class ever, with 15 percent Black and 20 percent Pell Grant recipients. This dual approach, using both test scores and grade point averages, helped level the playing field, ensuring that students, regardless of background, could demonstrate their academic potential.

When the student is a 10, but so are all the other students

With the rise of applicants boasting near-perfect grade point averages, colleges are challenged to distinguish between high-performing students. Standardized testing provides an additional data point to differentiate applicants. This helps place students in appropriate academic programs that align with their abilities, allowing for more nuanced admissions decisions that take into account both grades and test scores.

GPA inflation is a constant problem

Grade inflation has made GPAs higher at most schools, complicating the admissions process. More students now have straight A’s and a 4.0 GPA, making it harder for colleges to choose top applicants based on GPA alone.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that the average high school grade increased From 3.0 in 2009 to 3.11 in 2019, a 3.7 percent increase in just 10 years. Meanwhile, standardized test scores remained relatively constant, with some even declining. This can exacerbate economic inequalities, as wealthier students often have access to resources that boost their GPA. Standardized test scores help mitigate these issues by providing an objective measure of a student’s academic abilities.

Differentiate between top applicants with similar grade point averages

Standardized test scores allow colleges to differentiate between top applicants with equally high grade point averages. Without standardized tests, students may be chosen based on parental pressure or other economic advantages. Combining test scores with grade point averages ensures a more comprehensive assessment, helping admissions teams understand each student's academic trajectory and college readiness. During the pandemic, many colleges adopted optional testing policies and found it more difficult to accurately assess applicants' academic preparedness.

A holistic approach to college admissions

After reinstating standardized testing requirements, MIT Dean of Admissions Stuart Schmill He said, “Getting A grades alone is not enough information to know whether students will succeed or not.” Schools like MIT understand that students are more than a grade on a test, but they are also more important than their grades.

Research shows that combining GPA with standardized test scores provides a more reliable indicator of a student's future. success in collegeTaking a holistic approach to college admissions by using both measures is the The best way to predict and support college readiness.

The above points don't make the sometimes unsavory four-letter word any more palatable, but they do help put into perspective why several of the nation's top schools believe test scores are an important part of the entire college readiness picture.