Up until now we have simply discussed admissions tests like the SAT/ACT. We have not discussed an extremely important element in a college application – the High School Grade Point Average (HSGPA). The admissions test score (SAT/ACT) is just one corner of an applicant’s portrait presented to a college’s admissions department. Much weight is also given to the HSGPA. These two are usually used in conjunction to form a weighted average. Colleges rely on ETS to correlate HSGPA and test scores with first year college performances.

Each college sends ETS all of the data from the current year and ETS statistically determines the optimally weighted combination of HSGPA and SAT to best predict first–year average (FYA). The resulting combination is known as an index number for each applicant.

Here’s an example of an index formula:

1.25*HSGPA + .00278(SAT I) – 1.67 = Index Number

In this formula, HSGPA and SAT I are equally weighted (each 50%) and the index number will range from 0 to 10.A student with a 4.0 HSGPA and a 2400 SAT I score will receive an index number of 10.

[To practice using the formula, put the 4.0 in place of HSGPA and the 2400 in place of SAT, which yields:

1.25(4.0) + .00278(2400) – 1.67 = Index Number
5 + 6.67 – 1.67 = 10

To one particular college, ETS might say, “If you liked last year’s freshman class and want another one just like that, then you should weigh your HSGPA 60% and your SAT 40%.” But to another college, the test may be the component that is more heavily weighted. This index number might be used as a preliminary screen or filter when sorting out thousands of applications. A school might decide to only seriously consider applicants with an index number of 8.0 or higher.

So the design of the exam is that it is to be used in conjunction with HSGPA to correlate with FYA, (first–year academic performance in college). A school that cannot get the highest–scoring applicants and has to settle for those with lower test scores or HSGPAs does not necessarily offer an easier collection of courses or even an inferior curriculum. Even if an admissions committee would like to have higher–scoring candidates matriculate through their program, they understand that many of those candidates choose another institution.

From what I understand, every college’s use of the index formula is unique. My overall understanding is that many of the larger, public schools use the formula as a preliminary sieve to filter the huge number of applicants to a smaller, more manageable number. Many of the smaller, private colleges are less reliant (perhaps not at all reliant) on the formula to screen out candidates.

It seems like every university eventually trots out the party line: “We consider all aspects of each candidate’s application and not just HSGPA and test scores.” But I’ve got to think for efficiency’s sake that at some point early on in the process, many applicants get weeded out when the formula numbers just don’t measure up.