College Innovation Complete List

Programs have identified entry cut scores. There doesn’t always appear to have a consistent method to identify appropriate cut. We’d like to develop a process in which programs are confident in the cut scores identified for their program.

Cut scores are often waived for students. If cut scores aren’t applied, why do we use them?

• Not using the identified cut scores creates a confusing message to students. It depends on who the students talk to…admissions, advising, faculty…they might receive different answers.
• Students may test, not achieve the stated cut score, and then never move forward with DMACC. If cut scores are waived, then we have missed out on students that we never knew who were interested.
• Some programs are not sure of how the cut scores for their programs were determined. It could have been that “this is how it’s always been” and scores are used year after year without analysis to determine if scores are appropriate.
• There has been an inconsistent method to determine how cut scores should be identified for programs.
• Are cut scores an indicator to student success? Many programs feel that students are successful, regardless of certain scores, if they have strong work ethic, come to class every day, etc.
• There is concern that the mechanical reasoning test is not written well and is outdated. DMACC may benefit from a new test being used.