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SAT Content Area Benchmarks

SAT Content Area Benchmarks: An Analysis Conducted by Research and Development for the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB)

THE COLLEGE BOARD, 2012, GRADE 12

Calculations of benchmarks that link SAT section scores to performance in multiple related freshmen college courses.

In 2011, the College Board developed the SAT College and Career Readiness Benchmark to assist educators and policymakers in their efforts to better evaluate the college readiness of their students. This benchmark was designed to identify the point on the SAT scale that is indicative of students’ having a high likelihood of success in college, which was defined as a 65 percent probability of obtaining a first year GPA (FYGPA) of 2.67 (B-) or higher. This analysis provides an overview of advantages and limitations of using FYGPA and the college readiness benchmark as outcome variables to measure college readiness, and presents calculations of benchmarks that link SAT section scores to performance in multiple related freshmen college courses. Critical Reading section scores (SAT-CR) were linked to performance in courses which require extensive reading assignments, Math section scores (SAT-M) were linked to performance in math courses, and Writing section scores (SAT-W) were linked to performance in courses which typically require writing.

Statistical Relationships: 

SAT | COLLEGE | READING | MATHEMATICS | GPA