Using SAT® Scores to Inform Academic Major-Related Decisions and Planning on Campus

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jacob

A research report examines how SAT® scores can guide academic major-related decisions and campus planning. The study defines an institutional and student sample from four-year institutions, then reports descriptive statistics for measures of interest, academic major groupings, and STEM versus non-STEM categories. Correlational analyses and logistic regression are used to assess relationships between predictors and second-year cumulative GPA, followed by subgroup analyses. Figures present score patterns across majors and modeled chances of reaching targeted SYCGPA thresholds.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages44

Reading Time1 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Introduction

Literature Review

Methodology

Sample

Measures

Descriptive Statistics

STEM and Non-STEM Categories

Methods

Correlational Analyses

Logistic Regression Analyses

Subgroup Analyses

Results

JUNE 2021 Using SAT® Scores to Inform Academic Major-Related Decisions and Planning on Campus PAUL A. WESTRICK, JESSICA P. MARINI, AND EMILY J. SHAW Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Literature Review .................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Methodology .............................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Sample ................................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Table 1: Institutional Characteristics of the Study Sample and Population of Four-Year Institutions .............................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Table 2: Student Characteristics of the Study Sample and 2017 Graduating Seniors with SAT Scores ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 Table 3: Academic Majors Included in the Study ............................................................................................... 10 Measures ......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Descriptive Statistics .................................................................................................................................................. 12 Table 4: Descriptive Statistics for Measures of Interest ................................................................................. 12 STEM and Non-STEM Categories........................................................................................................................... 12 Table 5: Descriptive Statistics by Academic Major ........................................................................................... 14 Figure 1: SAT Total Score and HSGPA by Academic Major ........................................................................... 15 Figure 2: SAT ERW Score and SAT Math Score by Academic Major ......................................................... 15 Figure 3: SAT Total Score and SAT Tilt by Academic Major ........................................................................ 16 Figure 4: SAT Total Score and Second-Year Cumulative GPA by Academic Major............................ 17 Figure 5: HSGPA and Second-Year Cumulative GPA by Academic Major ............................................... 17 Methods ........................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Correlational Analyses ................................................................................................................................................... 18 Logistic Regression Analyses ....................................................................................................................................... 19 Subgroup Analyses ........................................................................................................................................................... 19 Results ..................................

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the study?

The study evaluates how SAT® scores can inform academic major-related decisions and campus planning.

How is the data sample organized?

The report summarizes institutional and student characteristics for a sample drawn from four-year institutions and graduating seniors with SAT scores.

Which statistical methods are used to analyze the relationship between predictors and GPA?

It uses descriptive statistics, correlational analyses, logistic regression analyses, and subgroup analyses to examine predictors of second-year cumulative GPA.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jacob