Academic Delay of Gratification Scale (ADOGS)
Expert NotesStrengths:Applicable across secondary and postsecondary student populations.
Cautions:Relies on hypothetical self-reported choices rather than observed behavior. Some scenarios may feel outdated or culturally specific. Does not directly assess broader executive functioning skills.
Tags: College readinessThe Academic Delay of Gratification Scale (ADOGS) is an adaptation of the Multidimensional Delay of Gratification Scale (Ward et al. 1989). It measures students’ willingness to delay immediate rewards in favor of longer-term academic goals, a key aspect of self-regulation. The instrument presents…Academic Resilience Scale (ARS-30)
Expert NotesStrengths:Strong theoretical grounding in coping, motivation, and persistence frameworks. Captures cognitive, behavioral, and emotional responses to academic setbacks. Demonstrates strong internal consistency across validation studies.
Cautions:May not fully capture contextual or structural barriers to resilience. Limited cross-cultural validation across diverse student populations. May overlap conceptually with related constructs like grit or motivation.
Tags: College readinessThe Academic Resilience Scale (ARS-30) is a student self-report survey that measures how well learners respond to academic challenges, setbacks, and pressure. It focuses on students’ ability to stay motivated, manage stress, and persist when schoolwork becomes difficult.Students completing the ARS…Adapted State Metacognitive Inventory
Expert NotesStrengths:Sensitive to short-term changes in metacognitive monitoring and control. Applicable across academic tasks and experimental learning settings.
Cautions:Susceptibility to hindsight bias. Limited evidence of consistent factor structure across contexts and populations.
The State Metacognitive Inventory consists of 20 items that measure self-regulatory processes in high school and college aged students within academic settings. Question items are scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The inventory is comprised…Becoming Effective Learners Survey
Expert NotesStrengths:Useful for identifying student support and skill development needs.
Cautions:Limited evidence of psychometric validation across populations.
The Becoming Effective Learners Student Survey (BEL-S) was designed to identify and measure constructs within five categories of noncognitive factors—academic behaviors, academic perseverance, academic mindsets, learning strategies, and social skills—as well as identifying and measuring classroom…Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE)
Expert NotesStrengths:Complements NSSE data by connecting expectations with later college experiences.
Cautions:Most useful when paired with follow-up engagement or outcomes data. Student expectations may change quickly after college enrollment begins.
The Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement (BCSSE) is a student survey given to incoming college students, usually before they start their first term. It collects information about students’ high school experiences, academic preparation, and expectations for college. BCSSE was introduced in…Brief COPE Inventory
Expert NotesStrengths:Useful for institutions trying to understand how different students respond to stress and which supports might be needed (academic vs. mental health vs. social). Captures both “adaptive” strategies (e.g., planning, support seeking) and “maladaptive” strategies (e.g., denial, substance use).
Cautions:Limited evidence linking directly to institutional KPIs like retention or graduation. Therefore, best used as a diagnostic lens, not a standalone accountability metric. Potential for underreporting or social desirability bias on some items, e.g., around substance use.
The Brief COPE Inventory is a short, self-report questionnaire designed to assess how individuals respond to stress. Developed by Charles S. Carver in 1997, it is a streamlined version of the earlier COPE Inventory (1989).CampusReady
Expert NotesStrengths:Cautions:CampusReady is a self-diagnostic tool that provides data, reports, recommendations, and links to resources that help schools improve college and career readiness for students. The web-based diagnostic measures the Four Keys to College and Career Readiness, as identified by Dr. David T. Conley and…Career and College Readiness Self-Efficacy Inventory (CCRSI)
Expert NotesStrengths:Cautions:Initially intended to assess the impact of a career planning program at a gifted and talented baccalaureate magnet high school in a Southeastern city, the College and Career Readiness Self-Efficacy Inventory (CCRSI) is a tool that measures an individual's belief in their ability to enter a career…Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale (CDSE)
Expert NotesStrengths:Cautions:The Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale (CDSE) is a self-report survey that measures how confident students feel about making career decisions. It was developed by Karen Taylor and Nancy Betz to apply Albert Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy to career decision making. The scale focuses on a student…CIRCLE Classroom Observation Tool
Expert NotesStrengths:Cautions:The CIRCLE Classroom Observation Tool is primarily used as a coaching tool to support the development of high-quality instruction in early childhood classrooms. The tool is used to rate teachers' behavior and instruction during classroom observation visits spread over a full academic year. Note:…CIRP Freshman Survey (TFS)
Expert NotesStrengths:Cautions:Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) developed the Freshman Survey for collecting data on incoming college freshmen. The CIRP Freshman Survey focuses on the following domains: established behaviors in high school, academic preparedness, admissions decisions, expectations of college,…College Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (CASES)
Expert NotesStrengths:Cautions:The College Academic Self-Efficacy Scales (CASES) measures college students’ self-reported academic self-efficacy. CASES asks respondents to rate their confidence in various college activities such as note-taking, asking questions, writing, and class attendance. CASES has 33 items using a 5-points…College Assets Measurement Profile for Undergraduate Students (CAMPUS)
Expert NotesStrengths:Holistic, strengths-based measure of developmental assets tailored to college students.
Cautions:Limited view on resilience; omits health, genetics, finances, and inclusiveness factors. Weak demographic reporting in validation evidence; unclear generalizability across diverse student populations and institutional contexts.
Tags: College readinessThe College Assets Measurement Profile for Undergraduate Students (CAMPUS) is a self-report survey designed to assess positive development in college students. It draws on a developmental assets framework, focusing on the strengths, supports, and experiences that help students succeed in higher…College Persistence Questionnaire (CPQ)
Expert NotesStrengths:Measures multiple factors linked to college persistence and retention. Provides actionable insights into reasons students may consider leaving.
Cautions:Some subscales showed lower reliability than others. Predictive factors may vary across institutions and student populations. Administration time may be longer than shorter screening surveys.
Tags: College readinessThe College Persistence Questionnaire (CPQ) is a student survey designed to help colleges identify first-year students who may be at risk of leaving before their sophomore year. Developed by researchers William B. Davidson, Hall P. Beck, and Meg Milligan, the questionnaire measures students’…College Readiness Assessment
Expert NotesStrengths:Cautions:The College Readiness Assessment (CRA) is a learning progression-based measure of the trajectory of students’ abilities to connect representations of mathematical functions in grades 6-12. As a formative assessment building on cognitive research in mathematics learning, the CRA aims to help…College Readiness for Global Campus Survey
Expert NotesStrengths:Cautions:The College Readiness for Global Campus Survey was developed by Lee et al. (2019) to explore the college readiness of US and international undergraduate students. College readiness measures of the College Readiness for Global Campus Survey focus on two domains: academic readiness and sociocultural…College Readiness Scale (CRS)
Expert NotesStrengths:Useful for identifying students needing transition support interventions. Integrates multiple dimensions of preparedness beyond academic skills.
Cautions:Limited evidence of predictive validity across diverse populations. May underweight structural barriers affecting college success.
The College Readiness Scale (CRS) was designed to measure college readiness for teenagers with ADHD. It is a self-report measure focusing on behaviors related to college readiness (Maitland & Quinn, 2011). The 43-item scale has three subscales: Self-determination, including self…College Student Inventory (CSI)
Expert NotesStrengths:Combines academic, motivational, and social factors related to persistence. Widely used across colleges and universities.
Cautions:Commercial instrument that requires paid access and proprietary scoring. Some recommendations may require substantial advising capacity to implement.
Less useful for measuring changes over time or intervention impacts. Use for at-risk screening and intervention, not as a standalone measure of success.Tags: College readinessThe College Student Inventory (CSI) is a survey used by colleges to support first-year students early in their transition to college. It was developed by Ruffalo Noel Levitz as part of a broader retention system. The goal is to help institutions identify students’ needs, strengths, and potential…College Survival and Success Scale
Expert NotesStrengths:Cautions:The College Survival and Success Scale (CSSC) measures noncognitive college readiness. First designed in 2006 and in the 2nd edition since 2011, the subscales that CSSC assesses include: Commitment to education. Self- and resource-management skills. Interpersonal and social skills. Academic…Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE)
Expert NotesStrengths:Nationally benchmarked survey widely used across community colleges. Strong psychometric foundation and established administration protocols.
Cautions:Cross-institution comparisons may be affected by sampling differences. Survey fatigue can reduce response rates and data quality. Emphasizes engagement processes over learning outcomes.
Tags: College readinessThe Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) is a national survey designed to measure the quality of undergraduate education in community colleges through the lens of student engagement. Rather than relying on inputs like selectivity or resources, CCSSE defines “quality” in terms of…Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC)
Expert NotesStrengths:Strong internal consistency and test–retest reliability; Sensitive to change over time (useful for tracking intervention effects); Applicable across settings (mental health, education, workforce, etc.)
Cautions:Not specific to education or academic contexts (needs interpretation for higher ed use); Scores can be influenced by current mood or temporary stress levels
The Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) is a survey that measures how well a person can cope with stress and recover from difficult situations. It treats resilience as something that can change over time, and that may improve with support or treatment, especially for conditions like anxiety,…DIA: ISSAQ Intake Survey
Expert NotesStrengths:Cautions:The ISSAQ Intake Survey assesses the noncognitive skills of students transitioning into college (e.g., through college access programs, advising, first-year experience). The survey addresses twelve factors that represent the behavioral, motivational, emotional, and social domains of college success…Early Assessment Program (EAP) English and Math Assessments
Expert NotesStrengths:Cautions:California’s Early Assessment Program (EAP) consists of three parts: college readiness testing in 11th grade, academic preparation in 12th grade, and teacher professional development. EAP’s standardized math and English assessments measure high school juniors’ readiness for college-level work at…Grit Scale
Expert NotesStrengths:Useful for large-scale surveys where respondent burden is limited.
Cautions:Ongoing debate about construct validity and distinctiveness from conscientiousness. Short form reduces nuance in capturing facets of grit (consistency vs perseverance). Mixed evidence for predictive power across diverse populations and settings. May oversimplify complex motivational and contextual drivers of persistence.
The Grit Scale measures the extent to which individuals are able to maintain focus and interest, and persevere in obtaining long-term goals. It has 8-item, 10-item, and 12-item versions. Subscore(s): Goal Directed Behavior Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may…Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire (ICQ)
Expert NotesStrengths:Widely used and well-established measure of interpersonal competence; applicable across adolescence through adulthood.
Cautions:Focuses primarily on peer/romantic contexts, less on professional or classroom-specific interactions; often embedded in broader studies on relationships, well-being, or social functioning rather than as a standalone outcome measure
The Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire (ICQ) is a self-report measure of individuals’ perceived ability to initiate, maintain, and manage interpersonal relationships. Developed by William Buhrmester and colleagues in 1988, it assesses five domains of interpersonal competence: Initiation of…Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (3rd Edition) (LASSI)
Expert NotesStrengths:Strong predictive validity for academic performance and retention outcomes. Widely used diagnostic tool in academic support and advising contexts.
Cautions:Length may be burdensome in large survey batteries. Limited cultural validation across diverse student populations.
The Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (3rd Edition) (LASSI) assesses awareness and use of learning and study strategies. It can be used diagnostically and prescriptively, for planning remediation enrichment, or as a pre-post measure for program evaluation. Subscore(s): There are 10…Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ)
Expert NotesStrengths:Most widely used instrument designed to capture multiple aspects of learning and motivation; includes both motivation (e.g., intrinsic goal orientation, task value) and learning strategies (e.g., effort regulation, time and study environment management) Strong predictor of academic performance (e.g., course achievement).
Cautions:Limited validation across diverse populations: Much of the research has been conducted with less diverse samples, and studies with more diverse student populations have found weaker model fit, suggesting the measure may not function the same across contexts. Self-report limitations: Students may have difficulty accurately reporting their learning strategies, especially when reflecting on complex or unconscious processes.
The MSLQ assesses learning strategies and motivation in college students. The motivation scales assess (1) value (intrinsic and extrinsic goal orientation, task value), (2) expectancy (control beliefs about learning, self-efficacy); and (3) affect (test anxiety). The learning strategies section is…National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)
Expert NotesStrengths:Nationally benchmarked dataset enabling cross-institution comparisons. Widely used for institutional assessment and improvement efforts.
Cautions:Response rates and sampling differences can affect comparability. Limited ability to make causal claims about engagement and outcomes.
The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) is a survey mechanism used to measure the level of student participation at universities and colleges in Canada and the United States as it relates to learning and engagement. It is a widely used instrument for assessing the quality of undergraduate…New General Self-Efficacy Scale (NGSE)
Expert NotesStrengths:Strong psychometric support. Predicts motivation, performance, and persistence across domains. Improved clarity and reduced redundancy compared to earlier GSE measures.
Cautions:Some debate over distinctiveness from related constructs like confidence.
Tags: Indigenous peoples, College readiness, Efficacy, Higher education, Social and emotional learningThe New General Self-Efficacy Scale (NGSE) is a short self-report survey that measures a person’s overall belief in their ability to handle challenges and complete tasks. It focuses on general confidence rather than confidence in a specific subject or skill. The scale typically includes a small set…Online Learning Readiness Scale (OLRS)
Expert NotesStrengths:Provides actionable subscales for targeted instructional design interventions.
Cautions:Construct overlap with self-regulation and technology acceptance measures. Limited cross-cultural validation across diverse educational contexts.
Developed by Hung et al. (2010) and validated on a sample of Taiwanese college students, the Online Learning Readiness Scale (OLRS) explores five dimensions of readiness to study online: self-directed learning, learner control, motivation for learning, computer/Internet self-efficacy, and online…