Declining SAT scores reach lowest point in 31 years

Over the past eight years, SAT scores have dropped significantly, hitting their lowest points in 31 years in 2006. In 1999, reports confirmed by College Board determined a five-point decline from the average score on the critical reading section and a two-point decline on the math section. The reading decline was the largest since a nine point drop in 1975.

In Aug. 2007, The New York Times reported the average score on the critical reading part of the SAT was 502 out of a possible score of 800. Last year, this declined by one point, illustrating the lowest reading score in 13 years. Math and newly incorporated writing sections also saw slight declines last year.

College Board spokesperson Caren Scoropanos believes the drop has nothing to do with the new format and more to do with the difference in the amount of times the test was taken by each person.

Scoropanos said, "Three percent fewer students [were] taking the test more than one time," which she found to be detrimental to higher scores. Previously, the average increase of an SAT score taken a second time was about 30 points.

The New York Times reported New York saw a one percent increase in the number of students taking the test, from 88 percent in 2006 to 89 percent in 2007. They think this may have affected 2007's negatively, as the group of students taking the test may now include those who score lower on standardized tests.

Maine recently became the first state to declare the SAT a requirement throughout state high schools as part of the No Child Left Behind Act. This, along with the increase in test-takers in other states, contributed to the record number of students who took the SAT, which calculated to be less than 1.5 million.

The SAT scores may be dropping, but ACT scores have increased between 2006 and 2007. The ACT, which is scored from one to 36, averaged to a 21.2 from last year's 21.1. According to CollegeProfiles.com, Pace students score an averaged 23 on the ACT, although SAT remains more popular.

The University's scores on the SAT have been reported to average to 540 for the critical reading section and 560 for math, totaling to 1100. The University has been trying to increase the score by as many points possible to gain recognition. As with most universities, the writing section is not counted, since most admissions counselors feel that it might hinder applicant scores.

The University tests students during their summer orientation to determine which English class they will be placed in. For the first time this year, SAT scores were taken into consideration for placement. If a student scored lower than 500 on the reading section and 550 on math, they had to take placements tests in those areas. Scoring higher than these averages can result in being placed in higher level classes.

Although the average SAT scores are dropping, the University does not seem to have a problem with their standardized test scores. The University's scores have increased over the past five years by at least fifty points, hopefully increasing more over the next five years.