June 2018 SAT Scores Receive Criticism. Now What? - College in 321

June 2018 SAT Scores Receive Criticism. Now What?

Written by Kathy deJong

July 24, 2018

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]June 2018 SAT Scores Receive Criticism.  Now What?[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]by Kathy de Jong, Independent Educational Consultant

Just when you think you’ve got the college standardized test process figured out, you don’t.

Many students that took the SAT in June 2018 received surprising results. Despite answering more questions correct on this exam than on previous exams, their scores tumbled. The reasons are based on the scoring methodology used by the SAT.

See it turns out that the June 2018 test was relatively “easier” than previous tests. So, more students answered more questions correctly. In order to fairly compare the June 2018 test scores to prior scores with “harder” tests, the CollegeBoard, administrators of the SAT, used a process called “equating” to score the test. As a result, students taking the June 2018 exam had to get more answers correct to receive the same score as previous test dates.

If you would like more information on the SAT scoring methodology and the public uproar about this situation, see the Washington Post Article below.

 

Washington Post Article on Questions About the June 2018 SAT

 

The CollegeBoard, who administers the SAT, received so many inquires about the scoring, they posted their own explanation in a blog post.

 

College Board Q & A on June 2018 Testing

 

In the end, the CollegeBoard stands by their scoring methodology, but this will come as little comfort to students that were hoping this would be the last time they sat for the SAT before sending in college applications, and received the same or lower scores.

So now what?  If you took the June 2018 SAT exam, and you are not happy with the results, the best suggestion is to take it again. For rising seniors, the timing on when to take the next exam is important. If you are considering submitting an Early Decision Application, It is recommended that you utilize the next SAT test date on August 25th, 2018, although some colleges may be fine with receiving the October 6th test date results. Regular registration for the August 25th date ends Friday, July 27th. (Check the SAT registration site for late registration deadlines.)  Otherwise, an October, November or December test date may be fine, depending on the application deadline you are trying to hit for each college. When in doubt, contact the college for confirmation on test administration/result submission deadlines.

If you feel that standardized test do not fairly reflect your preparation and abilities to do college-level work, perhaps applying to colleges that are test optional is a solution. The National Organization for Fair and Open Testing has created a site, www.fairtest.org to help students find colleges that do not require standardized test scores (test optional colleges) or provide more flexible testing options.

 

College in 3-2-1 provides comprehensive college preparation services for high school students including high school course selection, college research and list development, application assistance, essay consultation, and financial aid, extra-curricular and summer enrichment counseling.

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