Differential Validity and Prediction of the SAT - Examining First-Year Grades and Retention to the Second Year

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Aladdin

July 2019 study evaluates how well the SAT predicts first-year college grades (FYGPA) and second-year retention across different student subgroups. The analysis examines differential validity, differential prediction, and retention patterns, including subgroup comparisons by gender, race/ethnicity, best language, and highest parental education level. Results summarize descriptive statistics, corrected correlations, average over- and underprediction, and retention rates by SAT score band to identify where predictive performance varies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages51

Reading Time2 h 9 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Previous Research

Methodology

Sample

Measures

Subgroups of Interest

Student Level Subgroups

Institutional Level Subgroups

Analyses

Differential Validity

Differential Prediction

Retention Analyses

Results

Student Subgroups

Descriptive Statistics

Differential Validity

Differential Prediction

Retention Analyses

JULY 2019 Differential Validity and Prediction of the SAT® Examining First-Year Grades and Retention to the Second Year JESSICA P. MARINI, PAUL A. WESTRICK, LINDA YOUNG, HELEN NG, DORON SHMUELI, AND EMILY J. SHAW Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 6 Previous Research ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Methodology................................................................................................................................................. 8 Sample....................................................................................................................................................... 8 Table 1 : Comparison of the 2017 SAT Validity Study Sample and 2017 Graduating Seniors with SAT Scores ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Table 2: Comparison of Institutional Sample to Population ....................................................... 10 Measures................................................................................................................................................. 10 Subgroups of Interest ............................................................................................................................. 11 Student Level Subgroups .................................................................................................................... 11 Institutional Level Subgroups.............................................................................................................. 11 Analyses .................................................................................................................................................. 11 Differential Validity ............................................................................................................................. 11 Differential Prediction ......................................................................................................................... 12 Retention Analyses ............................................................................................................................. 12 Results ......................................................................................................................................................... 12 Student Subgroups.................................................................................................................................. 12 Descriptive Statistics ........................................................................................................................... 12 Table 3: Descriptive Statistics of Study Variables by Student Subgroups ................................... 14 Differential Validity ............................................................................................................................. 15 Gender ............................................................................................................................................ 15 Race/Ethnicity ................................................................................................................................. 15 Best Language ................................................................................................................................. 15 Highest Parental Education Level ................................................................................................... 16 Table 4: Corrected Correlations of SAT Scores and

FAQs

What relationships does the study analyze between SAT scores and student outcomes?

The study analyzes differential validity and differential prediction by examining how SAT scores relate to first-year grades (FYGPA), and how those patterns correspond to second-year retention.

Which student subgroup dimensions are used in the analyses?

Analyses are conducted across subgroup dimensions including gender, race/ethnicity, best language, and highest parental education level.

How are retention findings organized in the results?

Retention results are presented using second-year retention rates by SAT score band and further examined within subgroups such as gender and race/ethnicity, including figures comparing underperforming and performing students.

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Aladdin