Pexels
Although the COVID-19 pandemic caused quite a few testing disruptions over the past six months, most members of the class of 2020 had already taken the SAT by the time coronavirus struck. In fact, about 2.2 million students from the spring graduating class took the test, which was nearly identical to the number of test takers in 2019.
One thing that did change slightly was the mean total score, which dropped from 1059 last year to 1051 for the class of 2020. The average Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score was 528, while the average Math score was 523.
The College Board's SAT School Day program continued to grow in popularity last year. The SAT School Day offers students the opportunity to take the SAT within the familiar environment of their school, during a school day, instead of taking the test at a testing center on a Saturday, which may interfere with job schedules or family commitments.
About 1.1 million students from the class of 2020 took the SAT during the SAT School Day, compared to just under 1 million students from the class of 2019 – that's 49 percent of the class of 2020 compared to 43 percent of the class of 2019.
"The increase in SAT School Day participation is significant because it provides additional access for underrepresented minority students," said Priscilla Rodriguez, vice president of college readiness assessments with College Board. "We strive to provide opportunities for students from all walks of life, and SAT School Day is a significant part of advancing that mission."
In addition to stating that the average SAT score was 1051, the College Board report breaks down the mean scores based on gender and ethnic background. For instance, the scores for males (average of 1055) and females (1048) were fairly close to one another, and the ethnic group with the highest mean scores (Asian students) logged an average SAT of 1217.
The report also breaks down mean SAT score by intended major, with a few examples as follows:
It will certainly be a different landscape for the class of 2021, because they have had far fewer opportunities to take the SAT or ACT. To read the complete 2020 SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report, visit the College Board website.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Check out our forum to contribute to the conversation!
Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario, I was used to small-town living. I attended an international boarding school as a day …
This year’s AP Scores have been released and Trevor Packer, head of the Advanced Placement Program has shared the details of this…
Summer is here, marking one of the best times for motivated high schoolers to enroll in summer programs where they can diversify …
College-level STEM programs are notoriously rigorous, and getting off to a strong start can make a huge difference for students w…
Building a strong personal résumé in your first years of high school is recommended by counselors, college & university admis…
Ascent offers cosigned and non-cosigned student loans with exclusive benefits that set students up for success.
Explore Now!Want to find money for school that doesn’t need to be paid back? Access insights and advice on how to search and apply for scholarships!