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2009 SAT Scores Vary by Race, Gender, Family Income

Jim Liebelt

Average national SAT scores for the high school class of 2009 dropped two points compared with last year, a report out recently says. And while the population of test takers was the most diverse ever, average scores vary widely by race and ethnicity.

On one end, students who identified themselves as Asian, Asian-American or Pacific Islander posted a 13-point gain. On the other end, students who identified themselves as Puerto Rican posted a 9-point drop in average scores.

Average scores dropped 5 points for females and 2 points for males. While females represent more than half (53.5%) of test takers, their total average score (1496) is 27 points below the average score for males (1523).

The highest average score of all (1702, up 26 points) was posted by students who said their families earned more than $200,000 a year. Students who reported family incomes of less than $20,000 a year averaged 1321, up 1 point.

AVERAGE SCORES, BY SUBJECT
Top score is 800 in each SAT section:

Critical reading
• Average score: 501
• Females: 498
• Males: 503

Math:
• Average score: 515
• Females: 499
• Males: 534

Writing:
• Average score: 493
• Females: 499
• Males: 486

Source: USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-08-25-SAT-scores_N.htm