The Times & Transcript: “Social networks, blogs top destinations on the Net”
The Daily Kansan (University of Kansas): “New GRE format changes test, study habits”
Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)
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.
# # #
Also: Some Admissions Officers Follow Applicants’ Digital Trails to Dig Up More Info
Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO)
Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com, 212.453.7538
Carina Wong, carina.wong@kaplan.com, 212.453.7571
New York, NY (September 12, 2011) – For the first time since Kaplan Test Prep began tracking the issue in 2009, a majority (52%) of top business schools say that applicants now have the option to submit a score from the GRE instead of the GMAT. Additionally, 34% of business schools that are still GMAT-only say they are likely to accept the GRE for the 2012 or 2013 admissions cycle. Traditionally, the GRE has been used only for admissions to non-MBA graduate level programs, while the GMAT was the admissions exam of record required by business schools.
“What’s interesting about this trend is that GMAT test takers typically have a few years of work experience under their belts, while it’s more common for undergrads to take the GRE, so in accepting the GRE, business schools are registering to college students that they can start thinking about an MBA education earlier in the process,” said Andrew Mitchell, director of pre-business programs, Kaplan Test Prep. “In fact, some business schools specifically reach out to undergrads at their affiliated colleges with programs to make it simpler for them to apply and enroll. This widening of the ‘boardroom door’ into business school creates options for undergrads who know that they want to pursue a higher degree, but are undecided as to whether it will be a master’s or an MBA.”
Mitchell predicts that the recent changes to the GRE, which have made it more challenging, are likely to convince even more MBA programs to consider accepting it in the future. Meanwhile, the GMAT will soon experience its own significant changes by implementing the Integrated Reasoning section, introducing complex new question types designed to test the critical thinking and analytics demanded of students in business school.
Other results from Kaplan Test Prep’s 2011 survey of business school admissions officers:
For more information about Kaplan Test Prep’s survey on the business school admissions landscape and advice from a Kaplan expert on how college students can put together a strong business school application, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.
*The survey was conducted by phone in July and August 2011 and includes responses from 265 of the nation’s top MBA programs, including 16 of the top 25 – as designated by U.S. News & World Report. Kaplan Test Prep also annually conducts surveys of admissions officers at colleges, graduate schools, law schools and medical schools.
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.
# # #
17 Comments