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Use of Tests for Placement in Freshman English Courses at Lehigh

Author(s):
Schrader, William B.
Publication Year:
1949
Report Number:
RB-49-11
Source:
ETS Research Bulletin
Document Type:
Report
Page Count:
7
Subject/Key Words:
College English, College Entrance Examinations, English Tests, Equivalency Tests, Lehigh University, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Special Aptitude Test for Veterans, Student Placement, Test Use

Abstract

This study was undertaken in order to compare College Board tests with English Placement tests in use at Lehigh University with respect to effectiveness for placement in freshman English courses. The College Board tests used were the Scholastic Aptitude Test-Verbal, the Special Aptitude Test for Veterans-Verbal, and the English Achievement Test. The placement tests in use at Lehigh during 1946-1947 were the Purdue Placement Test in English and two one-hour themes. The results of this study must be interpreted with caution because of the small number of cases on which the critical comparisons were based, and because of the approximations necessarily introduced in correcting for restriction of range of talent. It may be concluded, however, that a combination of the Purdue Placement score with the Lehigh theme scores provided the most satisfactory basis for placement. A combination of College Board Verbal test score with College Board English score would also provide an adequate basis for placement in freshman English.

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