Is the SAT an accurate indicator of success in college?

[Mo0o]

I think its only relatively accurate on the extreme scores. Scores below 1000 and score above 1500. Anything in the middle is really easy to get so its hard to predict what kind of person would get those scores. Get below 1000 would mean you're pretty damn dumb so theres a good chance you are going to fail college. And people w/ scores above 1500 tend to be smart and studied somewhat.

 

[nageov3t]

tough call. I'd say yes, but only to a certain extent. I don't know any morons who scored high SAT scores, and I don't know any smart people who scored low (sub-1000).

but I know people who I'd consider just slightly above average who scored off the charts because they happen to be good at taking standardized tests, and I know some people who I'd consider to be geniuses who only scored slightly above average, because they suck at taking multiple choice tests.

 

[enjoi]

No.

Effort is.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
It's not a completely accurage measurement. However, I would guess that the higher SAT scores would correlate to better success in college..on average of course.

Not sure about college success - you may well be right... however if you look at financial success... the average millionaire scored about a 1200. High enough to be above average, but low enough to relate to the common man, which really in our interdependant society, is where you have to look if you want wealth.

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
I think its only relatively accurate on the extreme scores. Scores below 1000 and score above 1500. Anything in the middle is really easy to get so its hard to predict what kind of person would get those scores. Get below 1000 would mean you're pretty damn dumb so theres a good chance you are going to fail college. And people w/ scores above 1500 tend to be smart and studied somewhat.

Um.. the average score is 1000. Actually, before they changed the test to raise the average score in 1995 (iirc), the average score had dropped to ~950. You're calling ~55% of society dumb. Personally I strongly disagree with you - I consider ~99% of society dumb Just letting you know, though

 

[Davegod75]

no way

 

[TitanDiddly]

No, but there's not much that they can use, besides extensive interviewing and letters of reccomendation, both of which require lots of labor.

 

[Sundog]

Kind of like the GRE for Master's programs?

 

[wiredspider]

Of course not, there are so many other factors that come into play. I mean, how does the SAT predict whether or not the kid will just get way into the "college social life"? Once they are away from mommy and daddy, it's a pretty different story on what they will do. However, the SAT are used because, well what else they got to measure the kid from CA with 4.0 to the kid in FL with 4.0 or whatnot...

 

[isekii]

No I know a kid who pulled a 1540 and now he's kicked out of school for academic probation or something.,

 

[WhiteKnight]

No. I believe that it tells you something about raw potential, IQ, or just reasoning ability, but it says absolutely nothing about motivation or work ethic, which are much more important in college and beyond.

 

[KoolAidKid]

Actually, IIRC SAT scores account for about 50% of the variance in first year college grades, meaning that they are a decent predictor. However, high school GPA is a much better predictor of first-year college grades. When considered together, high school GPA and SAT scores are hardly better at predicting college grades than high school GPA by itself.

So the test has some usefulness, although not nearly as much as the people at the Educational Testing Service would like you to believe.

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: isekii
No I know a kid who pulled a 1540 and now he's kicked out of school for academic probation or something.,

There are exceptions to every rule/norm

My friends here at duke w/ 1500+ are all doing very well while the people i know who got below 1200 arent doing as hot

 

[maziwanka]

simply put: hell fvcking no.

 

[GasX]

1390 SAT
2.9 GPA

MCAT: 90+ %ile
Med School App: DENIED


GMAT: 99%ile
BSchool GPA: 3.9

According to my data, there is only a correlation for the GMAT.

 

[Ranger X]

I have a friend who got 1400+ and he's not very book smart -- and he lacks common sense. How well someone does in college doesn't exactly reflect how smart someone is, necessarily. Some people are just lazy or they get caught up in a frat/sorority. Successful students are generally hard working and those that are naturally smart will put in few minutes a day and score in the tops. It all varies and our testimonies on here won't steer this issue one way or the other.

 

[welst10]

no. but your penis size is.

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
This confirms what I was thinking.

I hear about people who max the SAT once in awhile and I've always wondered how they did in college and their subsequent careers.

It means they will probably get better scores on multiple choice tests, but thats probably about it. I've known people that have almost aced the exam then went off to college and flunked out due to lack of partying control among other things.

 

[ed21x]

SAT2's coulf very well be... but definitely not the SAT I's.

 

[Elbryn]

no. how does a test convey the ability/will to go to class, study, do homework, get out socially, find what you want to do, learn to bong beer, or figure out how to get laid?