It was important to him that boys of low or modest means and schooling not be penalized. Chauncey reassured Conant and the SAT was adopted to evaluate the applicants for the scholarship to Harvard. Later it was accepted as the entrance exam into Harvard for all students and eventually all Ivy League schools. The goal of the SAT test was to help predict how well a student would do in their first semester at college.
2) Since a National curriculum does not exist, do you believe standard tests should be used for admission to college? Give 3 reasons and support them.
Controversy abounds around admissions testing. Countless articles argue for keeping the SAT and just as many seem to argue for abolishing it. The discussions on both sides have valid and important points. However, based on the articles I have read, I am of the opinion that standard tests, in this case, the SAT, should be used, but as only one of many guidelines for admission into college. .
First, colleges do need to have a way of determining which students will do well at their facility and not squander their time. The SAT test was specifically designed with that in mind. However, even though tests can be useful, they are not perfect predictors. There are many factors that go into making a successful student: determination, ability to overcome adversity, desire, motivation and talents in specific areas, are just some of the qualities, and these traits cannot be measured by a test. Therefore, consideration must also be given to a student's high school GPA, types of courses they took (were they advanced placement courses?), after school activities, jobs they may have held, voluntary work, etc. and then these characteristics may come to light.
Second, studies have been done that show that high school grades and SAT scores combined are good predictors of how well a student will do in their first semester at college. The College Board says that, across many colleges, SAT scores improve the correlation between admissions predictions and GPA realities by 10%.
