The College Board recently released its average 2006 national SAT test scores, showing the largest decline in combined test scores in 31 years. This year also marked the first time the new format of the exam, featuring higher level math questions, a writing section, and the omission of analogies, was administered.
The national average scores dropped five points in critical reading and two points in the math section according to College Board data.
However, Caren Scoropanos, spokesperson for the College Board, said the decline in scores is not related to the new format of the exam.
Scoropanos said the decrease in scores could be explained by a variety of factors; however, she speculated that the decrease may be due to a reduction in the average number of times students took the exam.
"This year, there were three percent fewer students taking the test more than one time," she said.
Scoropanos added that when a student takes the SAT for a second time, their score generally rises by about 30 points.
"So, therefore, [students that only took the exam once] did not benefit from the thirty-point gain," she said. "So when you average that in, that accounts for a lot of the decline."
While the Commonwealth espoused some of the highest scores in the country, ranking tenth among all 50 states and the District of Columbia, its average scores decreased as well.
According to the College Board's data report, Virginia showed a decline of four points in the critical writing section and a one point decrease in the math portion.
According to Dean of Admissions Jack Blackburn, the SAT admission scores for the incoming first year class actually showed an increase.
"The scores of the incoming class were up two points compared to the old SAT," he said. "Most colleges are talking about having scores down about six to 10 points."
Blackburn also said the SAT is not the sole factor that determines acceptance to the University.
"It's one of many factors with the most important being the academic record in high school," he said. "The SAT or the ACT can help, and we strongly recommend any SAT IIs."
The SAT scores of the class of 2010 have not yet been compiled for print by the Office of Admissions.
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