Fact check: What were the average SAT scores for Wharton School admission in the 1960s?

1. Summary of the results

The analyses reveal that specific SAT score data for Wharton School admissions in the 1960s is not readily available in the examined sources. However, several relevant data points emerge from the research:

• University of Pennsylvania overall had an average SAT score of 1280 in 1964 ^[1], though this represents the entire university rather than the Wharton School specifically
• By 1978, Penn's average combined SAT score was 1230, which had increased by 30 points to 1260 by 1981 ^[2]
• The acceptance rate at University of Pennsylvania in 1964 was 28% ^[3], indicating it was already a selective institution
• National SAT trends show that verbal scores declined from 478 in 1963 to 424 in 1980, while mathematics scores dropped from 502 in 1963 to 465 in 1980 ^[4]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important contextual information that affects the answer:

• Wharton School-specific data versus university-wide statistics - The available data primarily reflects University of Pennsylvania as a whole rather than the business school specifically ^{[1] [2]}
• Historical context of standardized testing - The 1960s represented a period when standardized testing was less universally required and scoring systems differed from modern standards ^[4]
• Admissions practices evolution - College admissions in the 1960s operated under different criteria and processes than today, with acceptance rates being significantly higher than current standards ^[3]
• Data availability limitations - Historical admissions data from the 1960s is often incomplete or not publicly archived, particularly for specific schools within universities

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself does not contain misinformation, but it may reflect certain assumptions:

• Assumption of data availability - The question presumes that specific SAT score data for Wharton admissions in the 1960s would be readily accessible, when such granular historical data may not exist
• Modern admissions framework applied retroactively - The question applies current admissions metrics to a historical period when standardized testing played a different role in college admissions ^[4]

Notably, multiple sources reference allegations that Donald Trump paid someone to take the SAT for him ^{[5] [6]}, with Wharton professors calling for investigations into these claims ^[6]. While this doesn't directly answer the original question, it highlights that Trump's actual SAT scores remain unknown ^[5], which may be relevant context for why this specific historical data is being sought.