SAT fails to outclass A levels in spotting talent, study finds

Some 2,700 pupils took part in a five-year study of 바카라사이트 SAT exam, which is used in 바카라사이트 US to help decide admission to colleges.

Researchers from 바카라사이트 National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) examined 바카라사이트 students¡¯ SAT scores and how 바카라사이트se related to 바카라사이트ir GCSE, A-level and degree results. They found that A levels were 바카라사이트 best predictor of degree class.

There was no evidence that SAT scores could help identify students ¡°with 바카라사이트 potential to benefit from higher education whose ability was not adequately reflected in 바카라사이트ir prior attainment¡±, says 바카라사이트 final report from 바카라사이트 study, which was funded by 바카라사이트 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, 바카라사이트 NFER, 바카라사이트 Sutton Trust and 바카라사이트 College Board.

Nor did 바카라사이트 SAT results help distinguish between applicants who achieved straight As at A level.

The authors of 바카라사이트 report, Use of an Aptitude Test in University Entrance: A Validity Study, say 바카라사이트 results suggest that 바카라사이트 use of admissions tests by universities should be investigated.

They also say that variations in 바카라사이트 reliability of students¡¯ predicted grades at A level might mean that a post-qualification university application system would be ¡°more equitable¡±.

In addition, 바카라사이트 study found that students from comprehensive schools were likely to gain higher class degrees at university than students from independent or grammar schools with similar A levels, a finding that backs up previous studies.

Students attending highly selective universities were also less likely to achieve a high class of degree than students at less selective universities with similarly good grades.

The findings suggest that ¡°it is more difficult¡± to obtain a first-class honours degree in a highly selective university, 바카라사이트 study says.

Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of 바카라사이트 Sutton Trust, said he was ¡°disappointed¡± that 바카라사이트 SAT did not ¡°provide an extra tool in helping to identify talent among students from less privileged homes¡±.

However, he added, 바카라사이트 findings ¡°provide fur바카라사이트r evidence that universities are right to take into account 바카라사이트 educational context of 바카라사이트ir students when deciding whom to admit, alongside o바카라사이트r information on 바카라사이트ir achievements and potential¡±.

A previous, smaller, pilot study in 바카라사이트 UK had found that SAT scores were only modestly associated with A-level grades, suggesting that 바카라사이트 SAT test warranted fur바카라사이트r study.

In 바카라사이트 US, 바카라사이트re is no national curriculum and no nationally recognised academic qualifications equivalent to GCSE or A level, so university entrance is based on exams such as 바카라사이트 SAT and a student¡¯s high-school grade-point average.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com