Why Tests Are Important

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The Grades They Are A-Changin'

A 'good grades / bad test-taker' student is the most common in the test prep world.

While test-taking is a skill that can (and should) be improved, not enough emphasis is placed on how much grades have changed over the past 30 years.​

• In 1990, 37.9% of freshman at 4-year universities had an A-average in high school.
• By 2022, that percentage has changed to a stunning 80.6%.

While grades have risen at an astronomic rate, standardized test scores have remained steady. Something is clearly amiss.

Many hypotheses exist for why this is happening (the 'student as consumer' theory is one I find most plausible), but no matter how you slice it, GPA is no longer as clear an indicator of student capability as it used to be.

Though GPA may no longer set your student apart, a high standardized test score sure can.

Money, Money, Money (For No Test Score)

Right in our backyard, this KU scholarship chart for fall 2024 students is based on GPA only. KU is one of the only schools in the country that has a merit-based scholarship chart without ties to a test score.

This is a great counter-example to those I've shared the past few weeks. While the others claim to be test-optional but still offer scholarship money for test scores, KU is an actual test-optional school in regards to scholarships. So if your student is dead-set on going to KU, a test score truly may not matter.

However, a few words of caution:

• Some programs (architecture, engineering, journalism, etc.) still require a test score even though the university doesn't.
• This policy was originally announced in August of 2021. This primarily affected the Class of 2022, who were in fall of their senior year at the time of the announcement. If they change the policy in the future, I would expect another abrupt announcement that could affect students who may be too late to improve their test score.
• Given the clear grade inflation noted above, I'm pessimistic about KU sustaining this trend long-term.

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How to Improve

Coaching Moment

​Have a light touch instead of a heavy hand.

Outside Resource

​Redo missed questions. Students don't think it helps, but it gets this tutor's students a median English score of 35.

Other Stuff

Upcoming Deadlines

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Until next week,

Alex Pint
913.991.8217

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