Newsela Quizzes Predict SAT Reading Achievement in High School Students

March 31, 2025

Efficacy study preview

See how Newsela quiz scores relate to SAT reading achievement

This study examines how high school students’ Newsela quiz performance compares with PSAT/SAT Reading/Writing results to help teams interpret quiz data as a leading indicator of readiness.

Key Findings

What the study found

Review the headline findings from the study while keeping the full research details in the downloadable report.

2x as likely

Benchmark readiness

Students who scored at or above 75% on Newsela quizzes were about twice as likely to reach grade-level PSAT/SAT benchmarks.

75% or above

Quiz score threshold

Students at this quiz-score level were more likely to meet grade-level expectations on PSAT/SAT Reading/Writing.

0.44 SAT correlation

Medium to large relationship

Average Newsela quiz score was significantly correlated with SAT Reading/Writing score.

0.32 PSAT correlation

Consistent PSAT pattern

Students taking the PSAT showed the same positive pattern between Newsela quiz scores and reading achievement.

Authored By

Kayleigh Ryherd, PhD
Kayleigh Ryherd, PhD
Lead Research Analyst

Newsela Quizzes Predict SAT Reading Achievement in High School Students

SAT quiz results

Efficacy study preview

See how Newsela quiz scores relate to SAT reading achievement

This study examines how high school students’ Newsela quiz performance compares with PSAT/SAT Reading/Writing results to help teams interpret quiz data as a leading indicator of readiness.

Key Findings

What the study found

Review the headline findings from the study while keeping the full research details in the downloadable report.

2x as likely

Benchmark readiness

Students who scored at or above 75% on Newsela quizzes were about twice as likely to reach grade-level PSAT/SAT benchmarks.

75% or above

Quiz score threshold

Students at this quiz-score level were more likely to meet grade-level expectations on PSAT/SAT Reading/Writing.

0.44 SAT correlation

Medium to large relationship

Average Newsela quiz score was significantly correlated with SAT Reading/Writing score.

0.32 PSAT correlation

Consistent PSAT pattern

Students taking the PSAT showed the same positive pattern between Newsela quiz scores and reading achievement.

Authored By

Kayleigh Ryherd, PhD
Kayleigh Ryherd, PhD
Lead Research Analyst

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