North Carolina high school students' SAT scores declined slightly in 2020. | Adobe Stock
North Carolina high school students' SAT scores declined slightly in 2020. | Adobe Stock
North Carolina's 2020 high school seniors' scores on the SAT college entrance exam dropped slightly over the averages of the 2019 graduates.
Nationally, SAT scores dropped 9 points from last year. North Carolina students lost 2 points on the math test and 1 point on the reading and writing portion over the average scores that 2019 seniors received, the state's Department of Public Instruction reported on Sept. 9.
State Superintendent Mark Johnson was pleased that North Carolina students bested the national average scores. He downplayed the significance of the 1 and 2 point drops.
"In a challenging year, North Carolina's 2020 graduates held their own in difficult times," Johnson said in the department's report.
Johnson said 45% of North Carolina's 2020 seniors took the SAT at least once during high school. More than 75% met The College Board benchmarks for readiness in reading and writing. Fewer met math readiness — only 55%.
Johnson said in the report that the scores show North Carolina students have the skills they need for the workforce or college. The benchmarks are designed to show that students are prepared to take and succeed in entry-level college courses intended for college credit.
Alerts Sign-up