Tests and Cut Scores Used for Student Placement in Postsecondary Education: Fall 2011

Tests and Cut Scores Used for Student Placement in Postsecondary Education: Fall 2011

NAGB

WESTAT, 2012, GRADE 12

This report details the study design and presents results from a 2011 survey of 1,670 postsecondary education institutions’ use of tests and cut scores in college course placement and remediation.

This report presents results from a 2011 survey of postsecondary education institutions’ use of tests and cut scores in college course placement and remediation. This survey study addressed two principal research questions:

1. Which national standardized tests are used by postsecondary education institutions to determine the need of entry-level students for remedial/developmental instruction in reading or mathematics?
2. What are the cut scores on those national standardized tests below which students are deemed to need remedial/developmental instruction in reading or mathematics, and at or above which students would be academically qualified for entry-level credit-bearing college courses?

The survey for this study was administered to nationally representative sample of 1,670 postsecondary education institutions, which included 2-year and 4-year public and private colleges. This report includes detailed documentation on how the study was implemented, including technical procedures.

Higher Education Survey: ACT | COLLEGE | READING | MATHEMATICS | SAT | ACCUPLACER | PLACEMENT | REMEDIATION | ASSET | COMPASS