The Usefulness of Standardized Testing for the Psychology Department at Kalamazoo College

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of using standardized tests within the Psychology Department at Kalamazoo College and to make recommendations to keep in use or change the existing test. The records of 170 undergraduate psychology majors and minors were examined and correlations were found between performance on the Major Fields Test-Psychology (MFT -P) and 7 academic measures that were considered to be predictors; GP A within psychology ( GP AP), GPA overall (GPA-0), SAT scores, ACT scores, number of psychology courses with tested content (CT), total number of psychology courses (NPC), and areas of concentration (AOC). The MFT-P scores were also examined for any evidence of bias with respect of gender. Also examined were the relationship between SAT and ACT scores and measures of academic success, GPA-0, GPA-P, and MFT-P, as well as the relationship of subscores on the MFT -P to the number of classes taken within that AOC. GPA-P, GPA-0, NPC, SAT and ACT were all found to be positively correlated with MFT-P scores and no gender bias was found. Continued usage of the MFT-P is recommended with the additional consideration of allowing all passing students to sign up for oral comprehensive exams.