One of the important underlying assumptions of all item response theory (IRT) models is that of local independence. This assumption requires that the response to an item on a test not be influenced by the response to any other items. This assumption is often taken for granted, with little or no scrutiny of the response process required to answer…

The feasibility and effectiveness of a Bayesian method for estimating regressions in m groups is studied by application of the method to data from the Basic Research Service of The American College Testing Program. Evidence supports the belief that in many testing applications the collateral information obtained from each subset of m-1 colleges…

Six widely used college admissions variables and four course-specific measures (tests of entering mathematical skills and physics knowledge, and indexes of previous study of mathematics and physics) were correlated with final marks for 495 students in an introductory college physics course. The college admissions variables included scores on…

Multiple regression equations predicting first semester grade point average (GPA) from high school percentile rank (HSPR) and Composite score on the American College Test (ACT:C) were examined for five successive fall freshman classes (1965-1969) at the University of Illinois. Slopes were significantly different among the five equations. Further…

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is shown to be a better predictor of first semester college grade point average than the American College Test (ACT) at a highly selective midwestern university. (JKS)

Investigated whether the emphasis on ACT scores for admission to engineering school is justified. Using stepwise regression procedures, multiple regression equations were derived using data from 328 students. Results indicated that ACT scores plus college transfer credits and advanced placement credits do aid in predicting academic performance.…

The validity of ACT Assessment scores and high school averages for predicting the academic success in college of high school juniors, seniors, and juniors and seniors as a group is reported. Substantial differences in the magnitude of the multiple correlations for these three groups were found. (Author)

This study was conducted to relate personal, cognitive, and school variables to physics achievement. The sample consisted of 435 students participating in the 1985 Mississippi State University Annual Physics Competition. The Student Background Questionnaire was planned and developed to collect information on each variable examined. The predictor…

Using a statewide sample of Louisiana's prospective teachers' results on the National Teacher Examinations (NTE) (N=5,642), the investigation probed the relationships between NTE composite scores, Weighted Common Examination Total (WCET) scores, and WCET subscores with selected predictor variables (overall grade point average (GPA); GPA in…

Issues associated with the ACT (American College Testing) Assessment Program illustrate the need to assess college entrance examinations in terms of the variety of common predictive uses such as estimation of first year grade point average (GPA), or chances of obtaining a C average after certain semesters or in specific courses. Test developers…

Since the occurrence of overprediction of college grades for blacks has been found primarily in studies using SAT scores as predictors, a study was initiated to investigate the overprediction phenomenon when the ACT was used in conjunction with high school grades as a predictor of college GPA. College freshman-year GPA was used as the criterion…

TO DETERMINE WHETHER ARBITRARY GRADE-POINT AVERAGE CUT-OFF POINTS (E.G. 2.25) FOR ENTRANCE INTO TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE UNFAIR TO PRESENT-DAY STUDENTS, NINETY 1966 COLLEGE SOPHOMORES WITH FRESHMAN-YEAR GPA'S BETWEEN 2.00 AND 2.09 WERE COMPARED TO THE SAME NUMBER OF 1961 SOPHOMORES WITH FRESHMAN-YEAR GPA'S BETWEEN 2.25 AND 2.34 USING (1)…

Examined the relationship of race, traditional academic measures (high school GPA and rank, ACT scores), and nonacademic variables (measured by the Bryson Instrument for Noncognitive Assessment, or BINA) to the first-year grades of specially-admitted college students. Found that predictors of college success functioned differently for blacks and…

The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the American College Test (ACT) in predicting academic achievement of students from an area which is culturally, economically, and educationally depressed. The population, chosen from 6 community colleges serving the Appalachian region of Kentucky, consisted of 1,127 full time (12 or more…

Assessment programs like the American College Test (ACT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) continue to play an important role in the admission decisions of many colleges. In many cases, they also serve a meaningful counseling and guidance function for high schools and colleges. The data reported in this paper suggest that the two programs can…