Georgia students outperformed the nation in evidence-based reading and writing on the SAT, according to results released by the College Board today. The results also show that a higher percentage of Georgia high school students met the College Board’s College and Career Readiness Benchmark for that subject area.

Georgia students recorded a mean total score of 1050 – a mean ERW score of 535, compared to the national mean of 533, and a mean Math score of 515.

Significantly more Georgia students take the SAT than the nationwide percentage – with 61% of Georgia graduates in the class of 2017 taking the SAT during high school, compared to 47% of graduates nationally.

2017 results set new baseline

2017 SAT results set a new baseline for future year-to-year comparisons and cannot be compared to previous results. Results from earlier reports were based on the old SAT, which was based on a different score scale and different bench marks. The 2017 results reflect test-takers from the 2017 graduating class who took the new SAT (93% of the cohort). They do not factor in performance on the old SAT. Click here for more information from the College Board.

“This year’s SAT results provide an important baseline as we continue to equip Georgia’s students with the tools they need to succeed,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “I’m encouraged to see a score in the area of evidence-based reading and writing that exceeds the national mean, as literacy and the ability to communicate effectively are essential skills for our students no matter what path they choose. Next year as we continue to build upon this baseline, I hope to see increases in the Math mean score as we continue to provide flexibility and opportunities for students in that subject area. Georgia is seeing gains on a number of indicators, from the SAT to graduation rate, and I have no doubt the work of Georgia’s outstanding teachers and students will continue to result in improvements statewide.”

Examining Georgia students’ scores

In Georgia, 41 percent of students met both the ERW and Math College and Career Readiness Benchmarks, 72 percent met the ERW Benchmark, and 43 percent met the Math Benchmark.

Students are considered college- and career-ready when their SAT section scores meet both the Math and the ERW Benchmarks. It is important to note that college readiness is a continuum – students scoring below the SAT Benchmarks can still be successful in college, especially with additional preparation and perseverance.

Georgia’s 2017 SAT scores also brought positive news in the area of equity.

Black/African American students in Georgia’s class of 2017 recorded a mean ERW score of 490, compared to a mean score of 478 nationally, and a mean Math score of 467, compared to a mean score of 459 nationally.

Hispanic students in Georgia’s class of 2017 recorded a mean ERW score of 520, compared to 499 nationally, and a mean math score of 503, compared to 488 nationally.

On the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10, 174,889 Georgia students took the test and recorded a mean total score of 948 – a mean score of 479 for ERW and 469 for Math.