A ONE INSTITUTE
Nov 20, 2024
Today, I will discuss why some students have strong GPAs but struggle to achieve high SAT scores. Let’s explore the reasons behind this trend and the strategies to improve SAT performance.
Why Are High GPA Students Scoring Low on the SAT?
Recently, many students with high GPAs have shown lower-than-expected SAT scores. Let's examine why this happens and how students can effectively prepare for a higher SAT score.
GPA Inflation
One reason is GPA inflation, a topic I’ve discussed multiple times. The image above shows the average GPA of admitted students at U.S. colleges. Let’s take a look at some specific schools.
For example, Villanova University, ranked 67th, may not be considered an elite school, yet 46.1% of admitted students who submitted GPAs had a perfect 4.0.
Washington University in St. Louis, ranked 24th in the U.S., shows that 68% of admitted students have a GPA of 4.0, regardless of SAT submission.
Even at UC Berkeley, ranked 15th, 38.3% of students admitted have a perfect GPA. 88.1% of Berkeley’s admitted students have a GPA above 3.75, meaning that an unweighted GPA below 3.75 would make admission difficult.
In sum, many students are applying to colleges with very high GPAs.
Attending Elite Graduate Schools44
This chart shows students who went on to prestigious graduate schools based on either SAT/ACT scores or high school GPA. As you can see, students with high SAT scores are more predictably admitted to top graduate programs, whereas students with high GPAs but mid-range scores also gained admission to elite programs. This difference illustrates the impact of GPA inflation.
Working at Prestigious Firms
These graphs analyze students who entered reputable firms after graduation based on SAT/ACT scores and high school GPA. The higher the score on the y-axis, the better the firm they joined. Here, high SAT/ACT scores more reliably predict prestigious employment compared to GPA, which does not always align proportionally.
Test Scores as Strong Indicators of College Performance
College performance also correlates more reliably with SAT/ACT scores than with high school GPA, as the correlation between GPA and college success continues to decline.
In fact, we see this trend among our own students: many have high GPAs but low SAT scores. This discrepancy is often due to inflated GPAs, which do not fully represent a student’s true academic abilities.
Please note, however, that GPA inflation does not apply to every school, so there are exceptions.
Discrepancy Between School Materials and Standardized Testing
Another reason why students with high GPAs may score low on the SAT is the gap between school materials and standardized tests. For instance, some schools teach Algebra 2 in a way that doesn’t match SAT standards, asking students to use interval notation rather than focusing on fundamental problem-solving skills.
Moreover, teachers may set ambiguous grading standards, which emphasize GPA distinctions over core learning. I've seen students penalized heavily for minor errors on certain tasks, focusing on surface details rather than core concepts.
In contrast, SAT questions, like those on the May 2024 test, prioritize understanding fundamental definitions and concepts. This misalignment leaves many schools unprepared to address the essential skills measured on the SAT.
In English, SAT preparation demands a narrow but essential skill set, whereas schools often cover broad content areas. Achieving a high SAT score requires time and targeted focus. For those aiming for a score of 1530 or higher, it’s advisable to begin SAT English prep once their practice test scores are around 600. As students advance academically, they gain foundational skills, making this preparation timeline ideal.
To bridge the gap between school and standardized tests, our academy focuses on broadening students’ fundamental abilities, preparing them for the SAT with a solid knowledge base.
Issues with SAT Test Timing
Another reason SAT scores may lag behind GPAs is the timing of the test dates. High schools generally operate on semester or trimester schedules, with midterms and finals that may conflict with SAT dates, which are offered in March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. This scheduling overlap often prevents students from fully focusing on SAT preparation.
Consequently, many students take the August SAT since it offers the best opportunity for focused preparation. Besides timing, the lack of comprehensive SAT prep materials in the U.S. can also contribute to lower scores. School-provided resources are often fragmented, provided as PDFs or printouts that are difficult to organize and study cohesively. Textbooks from other sources may not align with teachers’ styles or cover material comprehensively, leaving students with insufficient support.
Conclusion
If you have a high GPA but a low SAT score, consider that your SAT score may reflect your current academic level more accurately than your GPA. Don’t be discouraged; instead, accept the reality and start again with reliable resources.
The SAT and ACT don’t take long to master from scratch, so I encourage you to start fresh with a strong foundation. A well-structured SAT study plan is essential for building the skills necessary for high scores. Since reliable SAT prep books are rare in the U.S., I’ve developed one through A-One Institute, which is now available on Amazon by popular demand.
SAT Prep: A Comprehensive Study Cycle
A complete study cycle with a reliable SAT prep book is crucial. In math, students scoring 760-770 may think they can focus solely on areas they missed to reach 800, but even these students benefit from a quick review cycle to reinforce their skills. In English, foundational skill-building is crucial; start SAT/ACT prep only once you’ve built these basic skills.
Today, we discussed why some students with strong GPAs struggle with the SAT and explored possible solutions. For further questions, feel free to reach out to A-One Institute for assistance. Thank you.