The Correlation Between SAT Scores and GPA at the University of South Carolina

In this day and age, there is an ongoing debate among various universities about how great a role, if any, standardized tests like the SAT should play in the admissions process. Many schools have opted to make these scores optional with their reasoning being that they feel this test is not the most accurate representation of what a student is capable of. Their goal is to provide the student more choice and control in how they present their strengths through their application. Conversely, the majority of universities keep standardized test scores as a mandatory requirement on their application because they feel as though these scores help to predict the level of success a student will achieve through their course load. The study that is being performed to find out the strength of this correlation is strictly reliant on two factors: SAT score and cumulative college GPA. In order to collect data, a simple, anonymous survey will be sent out to students that asks the respondent to self report their highest composite SAT score that they received in high school (math and reading/language), their current cumulative GPA, and what year they are currently in. After data collection the sections of the regression graph will be split into three categories based on SAT scores which will make the process of drawing conclusions based on the correlation of SAT scores and cumulative GPA feasible to answer the question: To what extent does the SAT accurately predict a student\u27s college GPA