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Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to test for age bias in the predictive validity of scholastic aptitude test scores. The analyses were based on the college admissions aptitude test scores of 795 students applying for admission to a major Northern Israeli university. The students were partitioned into the following four age groups for data analytic purposes: 18-21, 22-25, 26-29, and 30+. On the whole, composite aptitude test scores are shown to be poorer predictors of first year cumulative grade point average (= GPA) for students in the oldest age group (30+) in comparison to students in the remaining age groups. Furthermore, aptitude test scores were observed to interact significantly but modestly with age group membership in differentially predicting academic achievement for various age groups. Overall, the data are consistent with some previous research conducted among student samples in the U.S., attesting to the differential predictive validity of aptitude test scores by age group.

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Age Bias in the Predictive Validity of Scholastic Aptitude Tests: Some Israeli Data

Abstract

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