An Appraisal of the American College Test as a Proficiency Examination at Western Kentucky University

Since the initiation of the proficiency testing program at Western Kentucky University, there had not been a comprehensive report of the performance of students who received academic credit on the basis of the American College Test as a proficiency examination. American College Test standard scores, American College Test composite scores, specific course grades, and overall grade point averages of selected students were examined to determine the effects of awarding academic credit on the basis of the American College Test standard score in English on a student\u27s subsequent academic performance and to examine the feasibility of extending the use of the American College Test as a proficiency examination to mathematics, social studies, and natural science. The American College Test scores of all full-time beginning freshman enrolled in the 1972 fall semester or 1973 spring semester at Western Kentucky University were reviewed to determine the population of the investigation. Students who scored above the 94th percentile on the English subtest, or above the 95th percentile on the mathematics or social studies subtests, or above the 96th percentile on the natural science subtest were included in the population. The results indicated that the receipt of academic credit on the basis of the ACT standard score in English did not adversely affect a student\u27s academic performance during his first semester at Western Kentucky University. The grades in mathematics, social studies, and natural science courses did not provide conclusive evidence to justify the use of the American College Test as a proficiency examination for any course other than English 101