Predictive Validity of the SAT
Research across 171 four-year institutions in the U.S. and over 220,000 first-year students shows that higher SAT scores correlate with higher college grades. Using SAT scores alongside high school GPA is the most powerful way to predict future academic success. SAT scores add, on average, 15% more predictive power than high school GPA alone in understanding student performance in the first year of college (Westrick, Marini, Young, Ng, & Shaw, 2023).
For STEM majors, the SAT adds even more information. Research shows 38% more predictive power using digital SAT scores than using high school GPA alone (Westrick, Marini, Young, Ng, & Shaw, 2023).
Learn more about the predictive validity of the SAT.
International Research
Research studies in which international universities participated show that the SAT has even stronger predictive utility: Boosts in predictive power range from 26% to 37% (Marini, Westrick, Young, Ng, & Shaw, 2020).
A recent study, The Value of SAT Scores in Evaluating International Student Readiness for Postsecondary Coursework Delivered in English, examines relationships between SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section scores, and student performance in first-year English and Writing coursework, and more generally all coursework outside of Math, for international students studying in U.S. four-year institutions.
Results showed that the reading and writing section score can be a powerful measure to assist institutions with understanding how an international student is likely to perform in college, with stronger reading and writing section scores associated with stronger performance in coursework delivered in English.
Additional resources:
Examining the Validity of the SAT® at Higher Education Institutions Outside of the U.S.