Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Jun 0408:30 AM PDT
-09:30 AM PDT
For most test takers, Data Insights is the most challenging section on the GMAT, with test takers scoring several points lower on average on DI than on Quant or Verbal and completing the section with less time to spare.
May 2910:00 AM IST
-11:00 PM IST
Start your journey with a fully customized action plan and work with a dedicated mentor to achieve a 735+ score.- Jun 03
08:30 AM PDT
-09:30 AM PDT
In Episode 7 of our GMAT Ninja CR series, we are rounding up the oddballs, the misfits, and the format-benders: EXCEPT, Fill-In-The-Blanks, and other unusual Critical Reasoning question types. When you see a question that ends with a literal blank line - Jun 10
06:00 AM PDT
-06:15 PM PDT
Register for the GMAT Club Virtual MBA Spotlight Fair – the world’s premier event for serious MBA candidates. This is your chance to hear directly from Admissions Directors at nearly every Top 30 MBA program..
17 Aug 2015, 13:10
Kudos
Bookmarks
The requirement of using standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT in undergraduate admissions decisions has long been debated. A recent report from the National Association for College Admission Council (NACAC) recommends that more colleges consider switching to a test-optional admissions policy. Although the report acknowledges that a blanket approach cannot be applied to all colleges, it states that “The Commission encourages institutions to consider dropping the admission test requirements if it is determined that the predictive utility of the test or the admission policies of the institution (such as open access) support that decision and if the institution believes that standardized test results would not be necessary for other reasons such as course placement, advising, or research.”
The reports agrees with the conventional wisdom that standardized tests are a strong predictor of first-year grades, and even agrees that they are a strong predictor of full four-year grades. Speaking about the SAT and ACT, the report states that “The Commission is in agreement that the tests measure what they purport to measure.” However, the authors recommend that overall college success be defined by a broader set of criteria than first-year grades. College success can be defined in terms of overall degree attainment, a range of GPAs, post-college employment, or progression to graduate school. When defined in this way, there are tests that may be even more predictive of overall college success than the SAT and ACT. These are the College Board’s Advanced Placement exams and the International Baccalaureate Examinations. These tests have two benefits: First, they measure knowledge of portions of the actual high school curriculum. Second, there is little test prep industry around these exams, so students have less ability to buy their way to a good score.
Despite the Commission’s recommendations, it acknowledges that high school students may experience some disadvantages if they do not take the usual standardized tests. For example, a student’s PSAT scores are used in the initial screen of eligibility for National Merit scholarships. A student that skips the PSAT passes up a scholarship opportunity. Additionally, colleges themselves have an incentive to require high SAT scores: the ranking tables of major publications depend heavily on a school’s average test scores. In its report, the Commission recommends that these publications stop using test scores as a measure of institutional quality.
The passage suggests that colleges are reluctant to discontinue use of the SAT and ACT because
A. schools seek out students who receive National Merit scholarships, so that the school has to provide less financial aid
B. students with high test scores are more likely to finish a four-year degree on time
C. students will be disadvantaged if they do not take SAT or ACT
D. the school’s average SAT scores are weighted heavily in the ranking tables of major publications
E. they are the best standardized tests currently available for judging a student’s knowledge of portions of the high school curriculum
The reports agrees with the conventional wisdom that standardized tests are a strong predictor of first-year grades, and even agrees that they are a strong predictor of full four-year grades. Speaking about the SAT and ACT, the report states that “The Commission is in agreement that the tests measure what they purport to measure.” However, the authors recommend that overall college success be defined by a broader set of criteria than first-year grades. College success can be defined in terms of overall degree attainment, a range of GPAs, post-college employment, or progression to graduate school. When defined in this way, there are tests that may be even more predictive of overall college success than the SAT and ACT. These are the College Board’s Advanced Placement exams and the International Baccalaureate Examinations. These tests have two benefits: First, they measure knowledge of portions of the actual high school curriculum. Second, there is little test prep industry around these exams, so students have less ability to buy their way to a good score.
Despite the Commission’s recommendations, it acknowledges that high school students may experience some disadvantages if they do not take the usual standardized tests. For example, a student’s PSAT scores are used in the initial screen of eligibility for National Merit scholarships. A student that skips the PSAT passes up a scholarship opportunity. Additionally, colleges themselves have an incentive to require high SAT scores: the ranking tables of major publications depend heavily on a school’s average test scores. In its report, the Commission recommends that these publications stop using test scores as a measure of institutional quality.
The passage suggests that colleges are reluctant to discontinue use of the SAT and ACT because
A. schools seek out students who receive National Merit scholarships, so that the school has to provide less financial aid
B. students with high test scores are more likely to finish a four-year degree on time
C. students will be disadvantaged if they do not take SAT or ACT
D. the school’s average SAT scores are weighted heavily in the ranking tables of major publications
E. they are the best standardized tests currently available for judging a student’s knowledge of portions of the high school curriculum
17 Aug 2015, 13:11
Kudos
Bookmarks
Official Solution:
The requirement of using standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT in undergraduate admissions decisions has long been debated. A recent report from the National Association for College Admission Council (NACAC) recommends that more colleges consider switching to a test-optional admissions policy. Although the report acknowledges that a blanket approach cannot be applied to all colleges, it states that “The Commission encourages institutions to consider dropping the admission test requirements if it is determined that the predictive utility of the test or the admission policies of the institution (such as open access) support that decision and if the institution believes that standardized test results would not be necessary for other reasons such as course placement, advising, or research.”
The reports agrees with the conventional wisdom that standardized tests are a strong predictor of first-year grades, and even agrees that they are a strong predictor of full four-year grades. Speaking about the SAT and ACT, the report states that “The Commission is in agreement that the tests measure what they purport to measure.” However, the authors recommend that overall college success be defined by a broader set of criteria than first-year grades. College success can be defined in terms of overall degree attainment, a range of GPAs, post-college employment, or progression to graduate school. When defined in this way, there are tests that may be even more predictive of overall college success than the SAT and ACT. These are the College Board’s Advanced Placement exams and the International Baccalaureate Examinations. These tests have two benefits: First, they measure knowledge of portions of the actual high school curriculum. Second, there is little test prep industry around these exams, so students have less ability to buy their way to a good score.
Despite the Commission’s recommendations, it acknowledges that high school students may experience some disadvantages if they do not take the usual standardized tests. For example, a student’s PSAT scores are used in the initial screen of eligibility for National Merit scholarships. A student that skips the PSAT passes up a scholarship opportunity. Additionally, colleges themselves have an incentive to require high SAT scores: the ranking tables of major publications depend heavily on a school’s average test scores. In its report, the Commission recommends that these publications stop using test scores as a measure of institutional quality.
The passage suggests that colleges are reluctant to discontinue use of the SAT and ACT because
A. schools seek out students who receive National Merit scholarships, so that the school has to provide less financial aid
B. students with high test scores are more likely to finish a four-year degree on time
C. students will be disadvantaged if they do not take SAT or ACT
D. the school’s average SAT scores are weighted heavily in the ranking tables of major publications
E. they are the best standardized tests currently available for judging a student’s knowledge of portions of the high school curriculum
(A) This answer choice is not stated or implied in the passage.
(B) This answer choice is not stated or implied in the passage.
(C) This answer choice is not a reason for college reluctance to discontinue use of the SAT and ACT.
(D) Correct. The passage states that major publications use average SAT score as a factor in determining the college’s rank, so colleges would have to continue using the test to maintain a high ranking.
(E) The passage actually states that Advanced Placement exams are better than the SAT and ACT for judging a student’s knowledge of portions of the high school curriculum.
Answer: D
The requirement of using standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT in undergraduate admissions decisions has long been debated. A recent report from the National Association for College Admission Council (NACAC) recommends that more colleges consider switching to a test-optional admissions policy. Although the report acknowledges that a blanket approach cannot be applied to all colleges, it states that “The Commission encourages institutions to consider dropping the admission test requirements if it is determined that the predictive utility of the test or the admission policies of the institution (such as open access) support that decision and if the institution believes that standardized test results would not be necessary for other reasons such as course placement, advising, or research.”
The reports agrees with the conventional wisdom that standardized tests are a strong predictor of first-year grades, and even agrees that they are a strong predictor of full four-year grades. Speaking about the SAT and ACT, the report states that “The Commission is in agreement that the tests measure what they purport to measure.” However, the authors recommend that overall college success be defined by a broader set of criteria than first-year grades. College success can be defined in terms of overall degree attainment, a range of GPAs, post-college employment, or progression to graduate school. When defined in this way, there are tests that may be even more predictive of overall college success than the SAT and ACT. These are the College Board’s Advanced Placement exams and the International Baccalaureate Examinations. These tests have two benefits: First, they measure knowledge of portions of the actual high school curriculum. Second, there is little test prep industry around these exams, so students have less ability to buy their way to a good score.
Despite the Commission’s recommendations, it acknowledges that high school students may experience some disadvantages if they do not take the usual standardized tests. For example, a student’s PSAT scores are used in the initial screen of eligibility for National Merit scholarships. A student that skips the PSAT passes up a scholarship opportunity. Additionally, colleges themselves have an incentive to require high SAT scores: the ranking tables of major publications depend heavily on a school’s average test scores. In its report, the Commission recommends that these publications stop using test scores as a measure of institutional quality.
The passage suggests that colleges are reluctant to discontinue use of the SAT and ACT because
A. schools seek out students who receive National Merit scholarships, so that the school has to provide less financial aid
B. students with high test scores are more likely to finish a four-year degree on time
C. students will be disadvantaged if they do not take SAT or ACT
D. the school’s average SAT scores are weighted heavily in the ranking tables of major publications
E. they are the best standardized tests currently available for judging a student’s knowledge of portions of the high school curriculum
(A) This answer choice is not stated or implied in the passage.
(B) This answer choice is not stated or implied in the passage.
(C) This answer choice is not a reason for college reluctance to discontinue use of the SAT and ACT.
(D) Correct. The passage states that major publications use average SAT score as a factor in determining the college’s rank, so colleges would have to continue using the test to maintain a high ranking.
(E) The passage actually states that Advanced Placement exams are better than the SAT and ACT for judging a student’s knowledge of portions of the high school curriculum.
Answer: D
06 Dec 2015, 01:01
Kudos
Bookmarks
I think this is a high-quality question and I agree with explanation. Dear GMATCLUB,
Please note that the answer C incorrectly combined answers D and E.
Thanks,
Liza
Please note that the answer C incorrectly combined answers D and E.
Thanks,
Liza
