According to the latest figures released by the non-profit organization administering the exam, SAT Scores dropped slightly from 2014.
Since the beginning of the decade, SAT scores registered a slow, but steady decline across all three categories covered. The average score in reading is 495 for 2015, down two points from the previous year and five from 2010. A similar drop was registered by the math score, now at 511, from 513 in 2014 and 515 in 2010. The biggest fall can be seen in the writing score, which dropped three points from last year’s 487, and seven points in the previous five years.
Cyndie Schmeiser, the College Board’s chief of assessment, commented:
“We know we can, and need, to do better […] simply doing the same things we have been doing is not going to improve these numbers.”
The SAT is currently undergoing major changes, and it’s expected to be ready in its new form by spring next year. This revamp is aimed at making the test more representative of the high school curriculum and of the skills demanded by colleges.
Overall, the test will get more focused, by shifting away from areas of math that are not generally approached by colleges and by reducing the emphasis given to a wide vocabulary.
In June, the College Board in partnership with Khan Academy launched its free on-line training platform. The site offers interactive practice SATs and diagnostic quizzes. Thus far, it’s has been accessed by 300,000 individuals, with half of them answering practice questions.
The most well-known initiative for improving student readiness is the Board’s Advanced Placement Program. The number of students enrolling in the APB has steadily increase over the last decade. However, SAT scores dropped just as steadily.
Out of a maximum SAT score of 2400 for all the three disciplines, a student has to reach a minimum of 1550 point to meet the College Board’s standard of “college and career readiness.” With an average of 1490, less than half of all students managed to meet the benchmark this year.
Scores varied significantly by socioeconomic group, with the children in the top economic tier scoring an average of 115 points more than their counterparts who’s families fall into the “$100,000 a year or less” range.
The gap is even greater if we were to separate the data by demographics.
With 61% of Asian students meeting the College Board’s standards, the same holds true for 53% of whites, 23% of Native Americans, and only 16% for blacks.
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