Average S.C. SAT Scores Down, AP Scores Up

The average SAT score for South Carolina students dropped last year while average scores on Advance Placement tests improved.

The average score for  S.C. seniors in public, private and homeschool settings was 1436 last year, down 7 points from the previous year, according to figures released Wednesday by the state and the College Board.

The average score by subject was 482 in reading, 490 in math, and 464 in writing. The national average scores were 497, 514, and 489, respectively.

The national average dropped six points to an average score of 1500.

“Like the other college admission test ACT, the SAT is not a measure of school effectiveness," State Superintendent of Education Mick Zais said.  

"However, within the student population taking the SAT is another data point confirming a troubling trend: there is a wide reading gap between South Carolina and the nation.”

The average scores for public school students in S.C. by subject were 482 in Reading, 490 in Math, 464 in Writing.

The average composite score for S.C. public school students was 1427, down 12 points from 2010. Nationally, public school students averaged 1483, down 10 points from 2010.

Participation among S.C. students was up 1.8 percent to 26,452 with the highest increase coming from public school students, an increase of 6.5 percent to 22,613 over 2010.

S.C. students did score higher on the Advance Placement exams this year. The percentage of students receiving a 3, 4, or 5 on their AP exam increased by 10.3 percent this year and a total increase of 32.5 percent over the past five years.

All students enrolled in high school AP courses are required to take the exam.

“While AP scores are not a good indicator of school performance, the success of these individual students is a worthy accomplishment," Zais said.  

"The students, their parents, and their teachers deserve all the credit for these gains.”