The national average SAT score has fallen for college-bound seniors this past year, according to a study conducted by the New York Times. However, Biola has not followed suit, showing a rise in SAT scores by a cumulative nine points from 1106 to 1115 from the 09-10 to 10-11 academic years.
Biola’s scores exceed average in writing, math
The national high school class of 2011 produced critical writing averages three points lower than the class of 2010. The current national average is 497, compared to Biola’s 543. The writing section also followed the trend, with the national average score down two points to 489, while Biola’s score significantly exceeded the average with 540. The math section proved to be no different with the national average going down by one point to 514 while Biola’s score was at 541.
However, for André Stephens, senior director of Undergraduate Admissions, the small difference in points is of minimal importance.
“One point, three points, four points, it honestly is not that big of a deal,” Stephens said. ““Now if you saw over a period of time, this continual decline over 10 years, that might say something, but it’s all relatively within a few points year after year, I don’t think that’s a cause for alarm.”
Reasons why students average lower scores
What does matter are the factors that the study fails to elaborate upon which might be contributing to the lower national average, explained Stephens.
A writing section of the test was added in March 2005 increasing the test by 60 minutes, according to the Princeton Review, which Stephens said could be a valid reason why students are averaging lower scores. Another possible factor for the test score decline might be contingent upon where students come from and the type of schooling they receive, Stephens said.
“There [is] a difference if the student was in public, private, rural, urban or home schooling,” Stephens said.
Environment a possible factor in falling SAT scores
Sophomore Dylan Pruchnic, from Meta Lake, Wash., agrees that where a student comes from has a significant impact on academic performance.
“Environment, I think, has a big play in how important your studies are,” Pruchnic said. “Parents would push academics because that was really the only way you were going to get a scholarship because it’s not like people were checking out your sports team or anything.”
Transfer student Daniella Ashley from Fontana, Calif., also agreed with Stephens but for a different reason than Pruchnic expressed.
“I think it has a big impact, but it just depends on the person and where they want to go,” Ashley said.
Test bias may cause lower scores
Another factor Stephens attributed to the lower overall test scores is test bias.
“Some people believe that there is test bias and the test is not culturally sensitive, so even the way the questions are asked or formed does not take into account differences in culture and how people use language,” Stephens said.
Admissions considers more than test scores for enrollment
Although SAT scores factor into a prospective students’ acceptance to Biola, they generally do not carry the bulk of the weight behind the decision, Stephens said.
“We look at a number of things because no one thing in and of itself is an indicator,” Stephens said. “But the test, plus the references, plus the transcript and writing sample through the essay gives a picture of whether or not the student can be successful.”
Stephens elaborated on the fact that even the College Board does not encourage colleges to take only the SAT score into consideration because the test alone is not a good indicator.
“I think a school of our profile, in terms of our size and the academics we offer, we’re in a great place, and the national average test score for the SAT is not something students at Biola should be concerned about,” Stephens said.
