As one of the most academically qualified classes in Tufts history, the class of 2011 has no shortage of impressive test scores from high school. But their accomplishments may be even more impressive in light of national trends.
According to an article published by US News and World Report on Aug. 28, average SAT scores fell nationwide for the second year in a row. Critical Reading scores dropped one point to 502 while math and writing scores fell three points to 515 and 494, respectively.
Roughly 1.5 million high school seniors took the test. Of those, a greater percentage of students than ever were characterized as minority and/or low-income students, who traditionally have had less exposure to the SAT. The College Board pointed to both the size and diversity of this year's test takers as explanations for the downward trend.
But as scores fell for high school seniors nationwide, Tufts' class of 2011 was unaffected by the trend. According to Tufts' admissions Web site, incoming freshmen had an average combined score of 1405, tying the class of 2010 for the highest SAT scores by a freshmen class.
Associate Director of Enrollment Walker Coppedge was not surprised that Tufts' students' SAT scores defied the national drop-off.
"It's important to remember that Tufts is a highly selective school," Coppedge said. "The types of students who are applying to Tufts are often the top students in their high schools and therefore [it's] not surprising necessarily that their scores are going to be high and remain high relative to the broader population that might be applying to less selective [schools]."
While their own high scores may or may not be more significant in light of the national drop-off, freshmen interviewed downplayed the overall importance of the test.
Freshman Matt Darsney said that when it comes to measuring a person's intelligence, the SATs are "a pretty poor gauge."
Megan Sligar, another freshman, agreed, saying that she "didn't place any importance on [the SAT]."
For sophomore Ben Peirce, the newly-added essay section of the test depended too much on the potentially inconsistent appraisal of testers to convince him that it was an accurate measure of a person's writing ability.
"I wasn't a big fan of the essay," Peirce said. "It didn't make it standardized. You have so many different people grading your essay."
Coppedge said that students who have had more practice with the test are more likely to do better.
"Different students have had different levels of exposure to the test," Coppedge said. "So much of having success on standardized tests is being familiar with the procedure."
Darsney agreed: "It's such a standardized test. If you're taught to the test more than to the material you'll do better."
While students may not feel that the test is particularly significant in terms of a person's abilities, students said there is a sense that high schools have put an increasing amount of weight on preparing students to take the test.
"I think there's a lot more emphasis these days put on the SAT," Silgar said. "I prepared in school ... and I took the PSAT."
Darsney agreed.
"I think more people study for [the SAT]," he said, adding that his high school also offered opportunities for students to prepare for the SATs.
Darsney said that he and others from his school began preparing for the SATs as early as their sophomore year, and that as the time to actually take the exam came closer, students were focused.
With colleges becoming increasingly competitive, Coppedge said he understands that high school students are likely to become increasingly aware of the test.
"There's a lot of buzz around the importance of taking the SAT," he said. "There's a growing market around SAT prep, and I'm sure a lot of students are taking advantage of that."
Coppedge was quick to add, however, that for Tufts, SAT scores are only one aspect of an application.
"First and foremost, we really take a holistic view of the admission process ... the SAT is one part," Coppedge said. "While it helps to frame specific students relative to students across the country ... it's by no means the end-all, be-all of an application."
Darsney said that his impression was that Tufts looked beyond standardized test scores when considering his application. "I felt like Tufts stressed SAT scores less than other schools I applied to," Darsney said. "I felt like Tufts wanted a personality."
