Digital SAT Pilot Predictive Validity Study - A Comprehensive Analysis of First-Year College Outcomes

Sep 14, 2026

This study evaluates the predictive validity of the Digital SAT for first-year college outcomes by analyzing relationships between Digital SAT scores and students’ first-year academic performance. Using institutional and student samples, it summarizes descriptive statistics and applies correlation and subgroup analyses. Results include corrected correlation matrices, estimates of first-year GPA attainment probabilities, and domain-specific GPA findings by SAT section, with models that control for high school GPA.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time1 h 3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Methodology

Study Design

Institutional Sample

Student Sample

Measures

Descriptive Statistics

Analysis

Results

Correlation Between Digital SAT Scores and HSGPA

First-Year GPA

Domain-Specific FYGPAs

SEPTEMBER 2023 Digital SAT® Pilot Predictive Validity Study – A Comprehensive Analysis of First-Year College Outcomes PAUL A. WESTRICK, JESSICA P. MARINI, LINDA YOUNG, HELEN NG, & EMILY J. SHAW Table of Contents Abstract........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Methodology ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Study Design ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Institutional Sample ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Table 1: Institutional Characteristics of the Study Sample ....................................................................................................................... 6 Student Sample ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6 Table 2: Student Characteristics of the Current Study Sample ............................................................................................................... 7 Measures............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 Descriptive Statistics ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Table 3: Descriptive Statistics............................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Analysis ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Results ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Table 4: Corrected (Raw) Correlation Matrix of Digital SAT Scores and HSGPA ............................................................................. 9 First-Year GPA .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10 Table 5: Corrected (Raw) Correlation with Overall First-Year GPA (k=11, n=1,889) .................................................................... 10 Figure 1: Mean First-Year GPA by Digital SAT Total Score Band........................................................................................................... 11 Figure 2: Mean First-Year GPA by Paper and Pencil SAT and Digital SAT Total Score Band .........................................

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Digital SAT Pilot Predictive Validity Study?

To examine how well Digital SAT scores predict first-year college outcomes, focusing on relationships with first-year GPA and related measures.

How does the study design support the analysis?

It defines study design elements, including the institutional sample and student sample, and uses measures plus descriptive statistics to set up subsequent analysis.

What kinds of results does the study report?

It reports corrected correlations between Digital SAT scores and HSGPA, mean first-year GPA by score bands, subgroup analyses, and probability estimates for reaching GPA thresholds, including section- and domain-specific findings.

Sep 14, 2026

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