TEXAS (KBTX) – A new college entrance exam could be making its way into Texas public universities, but a recent study by researchers at Texas A&M University is raising questions about how well the test predicts a student\u2019s success in the classroom.<\/p>\n
The Classical Learning Test (CLT)<\/a>, which focuses on \u201ctruth, goodness, and beauty\u201d by testing students on ancient philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, was recently vetted by the Texas A&M Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI). While the study found the test to be \u201crigorous,\u201d it also labeled the exam as a \u201cmoderate risk\u201d for statewide use.<\/a><\/p>\n The \u201cPredictive\u201d Gap<\/p>\n One of the most notable findings in the A&M study was the \u201cpredictive validity\u201d score \u2014 a measure of how well a test score forecasts a student\u2019s college success. On a scale of 1 to 4, the SAT scored a 4.0 and the ACT scored a 3.8. The CLT, however, scored a 1.4.<\/p>\n \u201cPredictive validity answers a fundamental question. Does a test score predict how a student will do in college? Does it accurately forecast whether they will pass their course, stay enrolled, and graduate with a credential,\u201d said Maria Markham, an ACT representative.<\/p>\n The College Board, which administers the SAT, echoed those concerns in a statement to KBTX, noting that \u201cany test used for admissions, placement, or scholarships should meet a high bar: clear, transparent evidence that it predicts college readiness and success.\u201d The College Board added that \u201cindependent reviews and experts… have raised consistent concerns about the CLT\u2019s lack of evidence for predicting college success.\u201d<\/p>\n A \u201cCatch-22\u201d for the Newcomer<\/p>\n