One of the most common questions that parents and educators ask when they receive their seventh grade students’ above level test scores from either the SAT or ACT as part of talent search participation is this: How much better will students do on this test in high school when they take it again?
To answer this question, a researcher at ACT recently analyzed the ACT scores of over 74,000 students from across the U.S. who took the ACT while in the seventh grade and then again in high school. According to the technical brief (which is only 2 pages long!), seventh grade students who took the ACT earned an average Composite score of 18 and then went on to average 27.7 in high school. (Of course, how much students could increase depended, in part, on how well they performed in seventh grade and how much room there was to improve.)
Using seventh grade Composite scores as a starting point, a table in the technical brief shows the mean and median high school scores based on performance in seventh grade. For example, the 9,331 students who earned an ACT Composite score of 18 in seventh grade had a mean ACT Composite score of 27.7 in high school, an increase of almost 10 points. As a reference point, in 2015, the mean ACT Composite score for high school students was 21.
Another theme that comes across is that students who scored relatively higher in seventh grade also tended to score relatively higher in high school as well. Such findings have been found fairly consistently across other studies of high performing students.
Hi, I was reading the article, even though it is written 3 years ago, it is sill relevant for kids now. The part below from the technical data sheet is what I mean:
“For 7th grade scores of 20 or higher, median scores for grades 11/12 are 30 or higher. For 7th grade scores of 28 or higher, median scores for grades 11/12 are 35 or higher”
My son is a tipster who took ACT 7th grade through duke tip. He had a composite score of 29 and just got his ACT scores back for 11th grade and it is 36. This is the only time he took ACT in high school. No outside prep or tutoring. He did self study using a book and took a couple of practice tests. He was scoring 36 in the practice tests also. Duke tip recognition at early age was definitely an encouragement in the process!
What is considered a “gifted” SAT Score (Verbal/Math) for a 12 y.o. who skipped a grade? She took SATs in March 2019 and is a rising 8th grader
Our 11 year old son was 1300 SAT, ended at 1560 at 15.
Usually for kids this young you have a pretty good idea if they should be taking the test.
You can always take a pre-test at that age – just to see where the kid is at.
Interestingly the SAT registration site won’t take an age less than 12 years old – we got around this by “making a mistake” on his age when filling it out, and then “corrected it” in his profile later.
We do not advocate for test prep services when it comes to the SAT or ACT because research shows it is of little to no help and can increase pressure on the student. Familiarity with the structure of the test can increase your son’s comfort level, however, and so may have a positive impact on his scores. Because of this, you may want to consider having him take whichever test he is most likely to take later in high school for use with college applications. You were wise to view the 7th grade testing as diagnostic: that is exactly what we recommend. – KM
Any research on the SAT? My son scored high on the SAT in 7th grade – should he take it again in 9th or should he take the ACT? Do you recommend they study for it? He didn’t study for it in 7th because we wanted to get a baseline of how he would do…
Yes, when TIP participants take the PSAT, the results are scored just as they are scored when 8th and 9th graders take it. The results are then sent to parents, along with a comprehensive guide on how to put the information you receive in context vis a vis other young gifted students. Our results summary also includes guidance on how to interpret and use the scores to create an appropriate educational plan for your student. This results summary is typically mailed out in late spring after all students have tested. – KM
When kids take the PSAT will it be graded ?
Hi Julia — I am following up on your question. Students who take the SAT or ACT prior to 7th grade are rare and we do not know of any studies that have investigated the implications of this. It is also likely that there are so few students who do test that early, that it would be unwise to make any generalizations from any such investigation, if it exists. In the case of TIP, again for diagnostic purposes, we arrange for our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students to take the PSAT 8/9 instead, which tests their abilities using the same test given to 8th and 9th graders. It serves a similar purpose, but is much more useful since the majority of our gifted testers will not top out on the PSAT 8/9 and instead will score within its parameters, making the score results more useful in measuring the extend of their academic abilities. This hand-out explains the nuances in more detail: https://tip.duke.edu/resources/advocacy-tools/just-facts-handouts/above-level-testing. Hope that helps. – KM
Hi Julia! I have asked our research department to look into your question about even younger students taking the SAT and ACT and will get back to you with more information as soon as I can get some facts for you. In the meantime, I would add that, as you probably already know, Duke TIP views these tests as diagnostic in nature, to help student and their parents and teachers build more appropriate educational plans. At what point that becomes useful will likely be a factor in our further answer to you. – Katy Munger
Are there any studies that correlate the students who take ACT/SAT even earlier…4th, 5th, 6th grade as well the 7th grade? Do you reccomend AIG students to take these test before the 7th grade. Any information will be appreciated! THANKS