| Title: |
The Implications of Grade Inflation: Evaluating the Prediction of First-Year College GPA Using High School GPA and ACT Scores. Research Report. R2432 |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Edgar I. Sanchez; ACT Education Corp. |
| Source: |
ACT Education Corp. 2025. |
| Availability: |
ACT Education Corp. 500 ACT Drive, P.O. Box 168, Iowa City, IA 52243-0168. Tel: 319-337-1270; Web site: http://www.act.org |
| Peer Reviewed: |
N |
| Page Count: |
25 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Document Type: |
Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; High Schools; Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
Grade Inflation; College Freshmen; Grade Point Average; Prediction; High School Students; College Entrance Examinations; Scores; College Readiness; Gender Differences; Racial Differences; Ethnicity; Family Income |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: |
ACT Assessment |
| Abstract: |
Grade inflation is a nuanced phenomenon that has important implications for educational outcomes. This study shows that while high school GPA (HSGPA) remains an important predictor of student success in college, its predictive strength can be diluted in the presence of grade inflation. Practically speaking, high GPAs from schools with a history of grade inflation should be interpreted with caution--these students may not be as college-ready as their GPAs suggest. Conversely, students from schools with low grade inflation may be more likely to attain successful outcomes in alignment with their HSGPAs. Importantly, the prediction of first-year GPA is lower for students from high-inflation high schools because their HSGPAs exaggerate their academic preparedness. |
| Abstractor: |
ERIC |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
ED677926 |
| Database: |
ERIC |