In keeping with this belief, we support the commitment of colleges and universities to racially and ethnically diverse student populations, and hope they will be given the flexibility they need to meet this goal. After admission officials have identified applicants who can succeed at their institutions, they must be able to consider relevant factors that support diversity. However, they should meet their goal without instituting quotas or lowering academic standards to admit unqualified students actions that would harm students and society. Colleges and universities determine how best to use test scores and other information to meet their goals. Our guidelines on test score use recommend that they consider all relevant factors in the admission process.
Colleges use the scores to predict freshman performance in college.
It does not pretend to measure all factors related to freshman success, but its scores have a statistically significant relationship to that success. SAT scores are also better than the high school record in predicting college grades in science and other math-based courses. Colleges use the scores to make part of their admission decisions, counsel students about courses and majors, place students in appropriate courses, and identify applicants to recruit. Students use SAT scores to select colleges at which they have a reasonable chance for success. The scores also add an element of fairness to the admission process because applicants' classroom grades and courses vary from student to student, teacher to teacher, and school to school.