Differential predictive validity of high school GPA and college entrance test scores for university students in Yemen.

摘要

High school grade point average and college entrance test scores are two admission criteria that are currently used by most colleges in Yemen to select their prospective students. Given their widespread use, it is important to investigate their predictive validity to ensure the accuracy of the admission decisions in these institutions.;This study was conducted to investigate the predictive validity of both high school GPA and college entrance test scores used as predictors in the admission process to Yemeni colleges. In addition, the differential predictive validity of high school GPA and college entrance test scores was examined across gender and high school location. The relationship between students' persistence in the four years of college and the predictor variables, high school GPA and college entrance test scores, was studied as well. College entrance test scores were examined for their reliability in order to evaluate any potential influence of measurement error on the analyses.;The sample in the study consisted of 881 cohort students from two public universities in Yemen. The data analysis for this study included reliability coefficient analysis, multiple and logistic regression analyses, and Gulliksen and Wilks (1950) tests for differential prediction. Results showed that high school GPA and college entrance test scores were both significant predictors of academic performance as measured by first-year college GPA and four-year cumulative GPA. However, differential predictive evidence was observed for different gender and rural/urban subpopulations. The results implied that using common regression equations to predict academic performance may result in unfair admission decisions. Finally, while high school GPA was not a significant predictor of college persistence, the predictive validity was enhanced when college entrance test scores were added to the prediction equation of college persistence. In summary, high school GPA explained a very small portion of the total variance of first-year college GPA and four-year cumulative GPA. Therefore, a comprehensive review of the use of high school GPA for admission decisions is strongly recommended.