Date Approved

5-1-1998

Embargo Period

8-11-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in School Psychology

Department

Educational Services and Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Klanderman, John

Subject(s)

Prediction of scholastic success; SAT (Educational test)

Disciplines

Educational Psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to look at the correlation of overall freshman grade point average and SAT scores to overall junior grade point average and SAT scores. Research has shown that SAT scores have a high correlation with freshman grade point average, but there are conflicting results to the correlations of grade point average beyond the freshman year. Data was collected from two graduating classes from a private religious university. SAT scores, overall freshman grade point average and overall junior grade point average were obtained from the university for 148 students. The data was analyzed using the Pearson's Correlations. Analysis of results showed extraordinary stability of independently calculated grade point averages (GPAs) from freshman to junior year and no decline in the validity of Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs) as a predictor of these GPAs over the three years. These results are interpreted as support for the view that the individual difference assessed by SATs changes very little over a three year period of college. The stability of results of the correlation of the SATs in predicting college grade point averages beyond the freshman year is in support of more recent research conducted. The study does not support the "simplex decline" theory proposed and supported from 1960-1987.

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