A study of Maryland’s four-year colleges and universities has concluded that SAT scores, already dropped by one state university as a requirement for admission, can be used to accurately predict retention and graduation rates.

“The higher the SAT scores of students, the greater the likelihood that they not only returned for a second year of study but eventually earned a baccalaureate as well,” the report said.

Among students whose combined math and verbal SATs were 1100 or higher, 74 percent earned a degree within six years, compared with 57 percent of those with scores between 800 and 1099, and 44 percent of those scoring less than 800.

[Read](http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=1030647 “Read the Story”) (AP via WTOP)