Relationship of Elementary and Secondary School Achievement Test Scores to College Performance

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between achievement test scores on the ITBS and ITED and academic success in college. The basic population consisted of approximately 2000 students who entered the University of Iowa as freshmen in 1977. Achievement test scores obtained in grades 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 were available for a substantial portion of the population. Three measures of academic success in college were used: (1) first semester grade point average (December, 1977); (2) grade point average as of December, 1982; (3) graduation status (graduated/not graduated) as of December, 1982. Correlations between the achievement test scores and measures of college performance were similar to those reported for tests of the college entrance type. This study provides support for the predictive validity of the ITBS and ITED achievement test batteries.