Standardized Test Scores: The Best Indicator of Future Academic Success

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A college has a student’s application in-hand deciding whether or not to admit an aspiring college student. He has a 2.0 GPA, but a 28 on his ACT. Since he does not meet the admission requirements on high school grade point average, he is not admitted. The same college has another application in hand. This time it is a high school student with a 3.5 GPA, and a 16 on his ACT. He is admitted to the University. Nothing projects cognitive ability more than ACT/SAT scores, yet the student is not admitted simply because he struggled his first two years of high school before turning his life around. Admitted was the student with the 3.5 GPA was 5th in a class of 33. Declined was the student who was 69th in a class of almost 300. Through the years, more emphasis has been placed on high school transcripts than standardized test scores, but they are not the best indicators of success. Standardized test scores are the single best indicator of higher learning success.
High school transcripts can be misleading, especially when one puts into account who makes the grades, and who facilitates the testing that is done. Transcripts are thought to be true, but they are not. Grade inflation is a prime example of why transcripts can be misleading. Grade inflation deals with lowering class rigor or grade “Cut offs” in order to make it easier for students to succeed in academic competition. It is a fact that administrators do lower grading standards in response to competition between students and getting into colleges. (Walsh 1) A student taking non-C.P. classes may have a misleading transcript. (Insert statistic of amount of students that have taken non-C.P. classes, and graduated in the first quarter of their class). Cheating in class is a classic ex...

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...t a 0% chance of knowing the students who they are grading. How are the tests facilitated? The ACT tests are facilitated in a place where there are strict rules enforced. Every testing zone has the exact same policies and procedures. Only legal calculators are permitted for use on the testing, and you will be dismissed if you use anything other than what you are permitted to use on the test. Even getting caught looking at the person next to you will result in dismissal from the test, which will not be scored. Every noise and distraction is taken care of immediately with no questions asked. The facilitators keep a great eye out on the students. Cell phones are even banned, including during the break from the test that students get to acquire a drink and/or use the restroom. Standardized testing is always in an unbiased environment with no distractions, and no flaws.

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