Test Prep in the News: October 2016

We are committed to providing you with the most up-to-date resources and announcements from the college admissions testing landscape. Here are some of the top headlines from this past month:

ACT Reaffirms Stance Against Test Optional Policies

Summary: This past month, the ACT (unsurprisingly) released a report arguing that test optional policies by university admissions do not benefit students. The main argument of the report was that test scores add a vital element to holistic reviews of students and that test optional policies have not helped the low-income students that colleges have publicly used as a rationale for such policies. After receiving a barrage of comments, especially negative ones that stressed the self-serving nature of such a report, the ACT’s head of research published a defensive response this week. “Research across multiple domains has consistently demonstrated that test scores add significant value above and beyond other predictors, whether one is examining student achievement, job performance, or workplace competencies,” he writes. “Quite frankly, if colleges did not see any value in test scores, then they would not be test-optional; they would be test-free.”

What this means: There isn’t much surprising in the ACT’s response to criticism here. But what is telling is how actively the ACT is defending itself against the feedback instead of simply letting the report stand on its own. It’s clear that the organization is feeling the heat and understands that the evolving world of college admissions poses risks to the college testing industry.

Test Optional Report—Response to Feedback (ACT)

2016 SAT Student Profile Published

Summary: Recently the College Board published its report on SAT takers among the class of 2016. Some of the data was covered in news reports we featured two weeks ago, but below are a few additional thoughts after a closer look at the data.

• 4 million students took the PSAT in October 2015 (the greatest number ever).
• Nearly 180,000 more students took the new SAT in the spring compared to the number who took the old SAT during the same period the year before. However, 458,000 of those students were required to take the test during the school day this spring. The College Board report doesn’t point out that that means that 278,000 fewer students voluntarily chose to take the new test.
• 1.7 million unique users have signed up to practice for the SAT via Khan Academy.Nearly 60% of SAT test takers used the site to prepare.
• Students reported to the College Board that they prefer the new SAT over the old SAT by a 7-to-1 margin.

What this means: The data shows that students played it safe this year with the new exam; many stayed away if they had a choice. In fact, the College Board saw an almost 25% decline in voluntary spring participation in the exam. At the same time, Khan Academy is picking up steam, and many kids are signing up for it. We know from conversations with College Board reps that there are at least a few studies underway to investigate how well Khan works for students doing SAT prep. Those stats should be out in a month or so. We will keep you updated.

2016 College Board Program Results (College Board)

SAT Scores Take a Dip

Summary: Now that the new SAT is, well, not so new anymore, people are starting to take stock of results. The question on everyone’s mind? How do results on the redesigned SAT compare to those of the old? These articles aggregate results from the March, May, and June exams to determine that, surprisingly, mean scores are actually lower than those of last year. The media reports that SAT scores were 3-5 points lower in each subject compared with last year’s average. While some suggest that the SAT is at fault, others suggest that we simply don’t have enough data to adequately draw comparisons between years.

What this means: If the score decreases are significant, they are probably less to do with a flawed exam and more to do with a growing number of students who sit for the exam. Under ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act), many states are now meeting federally-mandated standardized testing requirements by administering either the SAT or the ACT. This has flooded the testing market with additional scores, often from students who had been formerly unable or uninterested in sitting for an exam. The results? Lower mean test scores, even if higher-performing students continue to improve.

Keep in mind, however, that redesigned SAT scores are heavily inflated compared to those of last year. For example, a 730 on the combined Reading/Writing sections of the redesigned SAT is equivalent to a 690 on the Reading and Writing sections of the old exam. Thus, it’s pretty surprising that the media is reporting a drop in scores given that the same or even higher scores could still suggest a dip in student performance. To make matters worse, it looks like the media and/or the College Board might be masking a more significant score gap by using last year’s “Nationally Representative” average as a baseline, and comparing it to the actual scores from students this year. Either way, it seems there’s a lack of transparency.

SAT Scores Take a Dip (Time Magazine)
College Board Releases SAT Scores (Ed Surge)
High School Students Score Lower Marks on the SAT (Forbes)

College Board Assures Students No Leaked Questions Were Used

Summary: You may recall that in early August, Reuters reported a massive breach that exposed over 400 confidential SAT questions. On Oct. 1, students sat for the first SAT since the breach occurred. Naturally, many worried that those students’ scores would be affected by the breach. Fortunately, College Board spokesman Zach Goldman stated last Wednesday that the College Board would not include any of the compromised testing items on the October exam.

What this means: In the wake of Reuter’s relentless investigative series and miffed ex-College Board employee Manual Alfaro’s whistleblowing antics, the College Board is treading mighty carefully. College Board CEO David Coleman and his clan know that they can’t afford another scandal right now, so we look for the College Board to be on red alert moving forward.

College Board Says Upcoming SATs Won’t Contain Questions Exposed in Breach (Reuters)

The SAT from the Proctor’s Side

Summary: Ever wonder what those SAT proctors are thinking? This interview with a teacher in Pennsylvania who has proctored for over 50 years reveals a few tidbits. As we all know, proctors aren’t paid much for giving up their Saturdays. When the essay was first introduced many students seemed blind sided by the change in his testing room. And the strict cell phone rules at test centers often come as a surprise to students, but proctors see these rules as vital to curb cheating.

What this means: It’s always important for students to know the phone policy before getting to the test center. Though you can have a phone, you cannot take it out of your bag at any point. You will also be dismissed if it makes any noise. As this proctor points alludes to, the proctor has a small amount of leeway with this last rule, but always expect a strict proctor. For students who use cell phones as an integral part of their lives, the strictness of these rules can come as a surprise.

Administering the SAT for 53 Years (Atlantic)