That is the strange thing about the report. It states that “about 20% of students placed into Math 2 had passed AP Calculus” (and presumably received a good grade, because UCSD is selective that way). They’ve also presumably received good grades in their other HS math courses leading up to calc. Even at the worst possible high school, it is hard to imagine a student getting an A in an AP Calc class without knowing anything?
That’s why I am wondering if some students have math deficits at the elementary and middle school levels that are being picked up by UCSD’s testing specifically?
My understanding is that the digital SAT allows students to use Desmos for the entire math section. (I don’t know anything about the ACT.) Might this also have the effect of masking holes in students’ elementary and middle school math knowledge? Is it possible that some students are receiving acceptable scores on the SAT despite such deficits? I ask because I truly don’t know!