Final answer:
The reliability of SAT and ACT scores for college admissions is debated. Studies showing high predictive validity are countered by concerns about bias and overestimation of their significance in predicting college success. Educational institutions are reconceptualizing the role of these tests in admissions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the validity of SAT and ACT scores for college admissions, it is important to recognize both research that supports their predictive validity and critiques that challenge it. Although some studies, like those conducted by the College Board, suggest that SAT scores are good predictors for first-year college student GPA, these findings have been contested by others, such as Rothstein (2004), who argue that the SAT's predictive validity might be greatly overestimated. Additionally, concerns about biases that may put students from marginalized backgrounds at a disadvantage have led some institutions to reconsider their emphasis on these test scores during the admissions process.
Such disparities in test performance may also be influenced by factors unrelated to the test's intended measurement of aptitude, and as a result, the role of standardized tests in higher education admissions is evolving. With a growing awareness of the complexities surrounding standardized testing and its implications on educational equity, colleges are exploring various measures to evaluate student potential comprehensively.