Students in D.C. public high schools continue to perform significantly below the national average on the SAT college admissions test.
The nonprofit College Board, which manages the test, released nationwide test results Tuesday. Average national scores for critical reading and mathematics fell seven points total from last year, the worst decline in 31 years.
Including a newly added writing section, the average combined score nationwide was 1,518 out of a possible 2,400.
The Class of 2006 was the first to take a revamped version with a newly created writing section, adding 800 more points to the score and 45 more minutes to an already three hours long test.
In D.C. Public Schools, the average score for critical reading rose two points over last year, while the math average stayed the same, but both scores fell far short of the national average. Average reading and math scores in D.C. were 416 and 404, respectively, compared to 503 and 518 nationwide.
The average D.C. writing score, 408, was also well below the 497 national average.
DCPS officials said Tuesday that the District has focused on increasing Advanced Placement exam scores and participation in recent years, but also is taking measures to better prepare students for the SAT. Last school year, the District purchased an online SAT tutorial program that includes practice tests.
