As National SAT Scores Decline, Kaplan Test Prep Survey Shows that Nearly 95% of College Admissions Officers Are Confident in the SAT’s Ability to Effectively Measure College Success

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Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571

Also: SAT Scores Decline While Average High School GPA Rises  

Available for interview: Kaplan Test Prep SAT and College Admissions Expert

New York, NY (September 14, 2011) – As today’s report from the College Board shows SAT scores are declining among college-bound high school students, Kaplan Test Prep’s 2011 survey of college admissions officers* reports that 94% of college admissions officers are confident in the exam’s ability to measure students’ future success in college.  96% of admissions officers expressed confidence in the ACT’s ability to measure students’ future success in college, although national ACT scores, which were released last month, stayed essentially flat. (Full results of Kaplan’s annual survey will be released later this month.)

“While we shouldn’t read too much into year-to-year variation in scores, it’s interesting to note more broadly that standardized test scores are declining even as the average high school GPA continues to rise,” said Jeff Olson, vice president of research, Kaplan Test Prep.  A 2009 study by a professor at George Mason University reported that nationwide, the average high school GPA rose from 3.28 to 3.49 between 1995-2007, a rise of 6.4 percent or 0.5 percent a year.  Since 2006, SAT scores have generally declined or remained stagnant.

Olson added, “This is particularly noteworthy since standardized test scores, in combination with high school GPA, are considered the best measure of success in college – and our survey data shows that college admissions officers are confident in the predictive ability of the SAT and ACT.”

Kaplan Test Prep’s survey also found that of the nearly 90% of colleges surveyed that require applicants to submit an SAT or ACT score, none reported plans to drop the requirement.

To schedule an interview about Kaplan Test Prep’s survey findings and what they mean for students and their families going through the college admissions process, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or212.453.7538.

*Kaplan Test Prep’s annual survey of college admissions officers was conducted by phone in July and August 2011, and includes responses from 359 of the top 500 colleges as compiled by U.S. News & World Report’s Ultimate College Guide and Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com), a division of Kaplan, Inc., is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings and a complete array of books, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams.  Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services.

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