New Research Confirms Standardized Tests Are Predictor Of 'College Success - Without Bias'

A research team led by Professor John Friedman of Brown University is set to release a study that examines the relationship between standardized test scores, high school grades, and college grades. The study analyzed data from first-year students at multiple Ivy-plus colleges and found that standardized test scores are a better predictor of academic outcomes than high school GPA. The researchers also found that standardized tests are not biased and may even have the opposite effect, contradicting some scholars who argue that the tests perpetuate systemic bias and racial inequality. The study's findings suggest that standardized tests can predict college success without bias, and that highly selective colleges should rely heavily on test scores when admitting students. The study also found that test scores are more predictive of post-college outcomes, such as earning higher incomes and attending elite graduate schools. The researchers controlled for factors such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status, and found that the predictive power of test scores holds true among students with the same background. The study's findings have implications for college admissions policies, with some experts arguing that selective colleges should require test scores from applicants. However, the study also notes that test scores may be less predictive of success at less-selective colleges. The full results of the study are set to be published in May at the 2025 Annual Conference.