Math Up, Reading Scores Down On SAT

On a long-term basis, students’ mathematics scores have experienced an upward trend and are now four points higher than a decade ago; conversely, critical reading scores have declined somewhat and are now four points below what they were 10 years ago. This year’s college-bound seniors averaged 501 in critical reading, 515 in mathematics and 493 in writing. In 2008, the average score in critical reading was 502; in mathematics, 515; and in writing, 494. The writing section of the SAT was introduced in 2005. In 2006, the first year the writing scores were reported for the college-bound seniors cohort, the average writing score was 497.

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This year’s graduating class has the most college-bound students taking the SAT® in history, and this class also stands out as having the most diverse participation in SAT history.

More than 1.5 million students (1,530,128) in the class of 2009 took the SAT, the most widely used and researched standardized college admission test. Of those, 40.0 percent were minority students. This is an increase from 38.0 percent in 2008 and 29.2 percent in 1999, reflecting the steady growth in SAT minority participation rates.

2009 College-Bound Seniors At a Glance

The most diverse group of college-bound seniors taking the SAT on record, this year’s minority participation totaled 612,666 students.

Hispanic students represent the largest and fastest-growing minority group taking the SAT and now account for 13.5 percent of all SAT takers compared to 7.8 percent 10 years ago. The number of Hispanic testers over 10 years has more than doubled.
Females comprised 53.5 percent of the 2009 test-taking group; males comprised 46.5 percent.

More than one-third (36.1 percent) of SAT takers reported their parents’ highest level of education as high school or less.

Language diversity is increasing as more 2009 SAT takers report that English is not exclusively their first language compared to previous years — 25.2 percent versus 18.3 percent in 1999.

The Value of Preparation in SAT Performance

As in previous years, the strongest SAT performers in the class of 2009 on average had three things in common: They had completed a core curriculum, had taken their school’s most rigorous courses and had familiarized themselves with the test.

Completing a core curriculum — four or more years of English, three or more years of mathematics, three or more years of natural science, and three or more years of social science and history — remains strongly related to SAT scores. Students in the class of 2009 who took core curricula scored an average of 46 points higher on the critical reading section, 44 points higher on the mathematics section, and 45 points higher on the writing section than those who did not.

Similarly, students in the class of 2009 who had taken the most demanding honors or Advanced Placement® courses had higher SAT scores on this year’s test. For example, students who took AP® or honors English courses scored 60 points higher in critical reading and 59 points higher in writing than the average of all students. Similarly, students who took AP or honors math courses had a 79-point advantage compared to the average mathematics score.

Those students who practice more and familiarize themselves with the SAT also tend to have higher average scores than those who do not. One way to practice is to take the PSAT/NMSQT®. Among the class of 2009 SAT takers, students who had taken the PSAT/NMSQT had average scores of 513 in critical reading, 524 in mathematics and 505 in writing, compared to 470, 491 and 460, respectively, for those who did not — a combined difference of 121 points. Slightly more than 82 percent (82.4 percent) of 2009 college-bound seniors reported taking the PSAT/NMSQT.

Both College Board and independent validity studies continue to confirm that writing is the most predictive section of the SAT.

About the SAT

Designed to measure what students have learned in high school, the SAT tests students’ reading, writing and mathematics skills — the same skills they’re learning in high school and that are essential to college success. It also shows how well students can apply their skills, which is critically important to colleges when evaluating undergraduate candidates. Each year, the SAT is administered to more than two million students in more than 6,000 test centers that are located in more than 170 countries.

The College Board

The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board is composed of more than 5,600 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,800 colleges through major programs and services in college readiness, college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT and the Advanced Placement Program® (AP). The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities and concerns.

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