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 don't know if any comparison is valid. This is not the same test it used to be. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but the test now has essay questions and has veered from the rigid scoring that made it so useful.
The SAT scores were recentered 5 to 10 years ago. That means you can not make such a comparison unless you take out this adjustment.
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.