Looking for SAT trends for past 10-20 years

My understanding from previous reading is that trends have been negative for a while, but a friend begged to differ, opining that scores are up and that selective schools are more selective than ever.

Any help in tracking down this information esp concerning long-term trends would be greatly appreciated.

Hi folks,

Got into conversation about SATs this weekend and need Freepers' help in tracking down information in re SAT trends over the last 10-20 years:

1) are verbal/math scores going down or up over this period?

2) what effect has "recalibration" had?

3) are average scores for incoming classes at selective colleges going up or down?

4) what percentage of incoming classes at selective colleges (and for colleges overall) are in remedial math or English courses over this period?

5) are there racial disparities (e.g. one group's performance increasing over time, while another group's declines?

I'm no expert on SAT's but they did recalibrate scores around 1995 to "adjust" the norm/mid point so the average would be around 500 (on a score ranging from 200-800). Until then, overall, scores had been declining since early 1960's .. so adjust the mid point and, voila, everyone's doing better. The calibration was greater on the verbal than math section, as I recall.

As to competitive colleges, the scores ARE going up. SAT testing has become a HUGE business over the past generation or so. For a fee around $1K, Princeton, Kaplan, and others offer classes to help students improve their scores, for a competitive edge on admission to those colleges. Other, less expensive, classes are often held at local schools.

If a high school student is a national ranked athlete, his or her scores will be overlooked (given that his or her scores are within an acceptable range). Same with musical, acting or other talent that is a special gift. Also helps to fit into a protected minority category. OR if your family has a history with the college.

The selective colleges that require SAT scores over 1200 usually don't have many remedial classes. If a kid scores >1200 s/he should be adequate in verbal and math skills. In the highly selective colleges that require >1400 SAT's I don't think you will find any remedial classes ... let us not kid ourselves, SAT's correlate with IQ.

The recalibration was colossal. High scores are now very easy to come by.

It's interesting that you say this. My oldest son just entered college and my next youngest son has been taking the SAT since 8th grade. So, I'm swamped in SAT prep right now. But, the odd thing is that I can now answer ALL of the math questions (and score in the high 700's--always dumb errors on my part) on the SAT and score in the low 700's on the verbal section. But, when I was in high school (25 years ago), I only got a 530 on the verbal section of the SAT and a 660 on the math. I can understand that my vocabulary has increased since high school. But, my math skills? I did study engineering twenty years ago, but none of that math is on the SAT. It's just basic algebra. I've been homeschooling my kids for 14 years, so maybe *that's* why I do well on it now, but my GUESS is that it is just EASIER. It doesn't make sense that an old lady like me can do better on the SAT now than when I was in my prime.

Candi

p.s. When I say that I get a 700 on the SAT now, I'm referring to taking the tests at home, not in a real test setting. But, I usually take them in less time than what is allowed.

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