This article uses four data sets to assess changes in the relative weights of test- and performance-based merit criteria on college enrollment during the 1980s and 1990s and considers their significance for affirmative action. Our results support the "shifting meritocracy" hypothesis, revealed by selective postsecondary institutions'…

Previous studies have shown that students who intend to major in education have low SAT and ACT scores. Further, among those students who intended to major, those who do major have even lower average scores. This study also shows that those students who intend to major in education have lower average high school and college grade point averages.…

To discover whether high schools and colleges were following the 1971 guidelines on the use of rank in class (RIC) in college admissions decisions, the National Association of Secondary School Principals surveyed 257 public and private secondary schools and 126 public and private colleges across the nation. The survey questionnaire sought data on…

Discusses the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and its importance to colleges in admissions decisions. The author describes the admissions process, the role of test scores, and the relationships of class ranks and SAT scores to outcomes in college. (CT)

Results of a national survey on collegiate use of class rank have been analyzed in terms of the chief characteristics that are associated with differences in a college's practice: 1) public or private support, 2) two- or four-year institutions, 3) size of enrollment, 4) section of country; tables and commentary explain the findings. (Editor)

Various reasons are given for the unrealiability of class rank as an indicator of academic success; author is head of a small private college-preparatory school. (SP)

To investigate children's ability to infer their relative academic ability even when instructional groups are not overtly ranked, the author studied the level of agreement between individual junior-school pupils, their peers, and their teachers on class positions in English, mathematics, and creative writing. Agreement on rankings was high.…

The effectiveness of the Career Success Club, which engaged college students in career management activities, was measured by comparing 206 members and 212 nonmembers (170 freshmen, 125 sophomores/juniors, 123 seniors). Sophomores, juniors, and seniors displayed more enhanced career development than freshmen. (Contains 40 references.) (SK)

Analysis of data from 234 Certified Public Accountant (CPA) candidates (98 of whom failed at least 1 part of the exam) showed that higher grades in the CPA review course correlated with passing the first time. Higher high school class rank and larger high school class size influenced exceptional test performance. (SK)

Analysis of records of 50 first-year students in automotive technology identified American College Test (ACT) math score as a significant predictor of first-year performance. High school rank and composite ACT score were not significant predictors of college grade point average. (SK)

Self-reported grades are heavily used in research and applied settings because of the importance of grades and the convenience of obtaining self-reports. This study reviews and meta-analytically summarizes the literature on the accuracy of self-reported grades, class ranks, and test scores. Results based on a pairwise sample of 60,926 subjects…

Reviews two elasticity of demand papers in this "Economics of Education Review" issue. Refutes C.F. Chang and H.P. Tuckman's interpretation of college faculty substitution trends, attributing changes in rank distribution to academic hiring and promotion patterns. Affirms G.A. Chressanthis' class standing results and recommendation of a…

Examined the relationship between selected independent variables and graduation from college five years after students (N=1,943) first matriculated. Results showed that the variables accounted for less than six percent of the variability in the graduate/nongraduate criterion with high school rank being the best individual predictor. (Author/LLL)

Cricticizes use of Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores for college admission decisions. Outlines research showing redundancy of estimating potential success of entering college freshmen by the use of SAT scores, high school grades, and class rank. The statistical difference between estimates without SAT scores is minimal and does not support…