D.C. area students buck trend on SAT

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Most school systems in the D.C. area reported SAT scores slightly above the national average, despite a sharp decline in scores that officials attributed to a newly revised exam and to fewer students electing to retake the test.

The class of 2006 was the first to take the newly revised SAT, which features a critical reading subtest in place of the verbal section, as well as an expanded math section. Officials also added a writing test, increasing the total possible SAT score from 1600 to 2400.

"When a new test is introduced, students usually vary their test-taking behavior in a variety of ways, and this affects scores," said Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board, which administers the SAT.

The national average scores were 518 in math and 503 in critical reading, down two points and five points, respectively, from last year. The national writing average was 497.

College Board officials said fatigue wasn't a factor in the decline in scores nationally. Some had predicted that the extra 45 minutes needed to complete the writing portion of the exam -- which was already three hours long -- would cause scores to decrease.

"The addition of writing has made the SAT a better measure of the skills students need to succeed in college and later in life," Mr. Caperton said. "We will continue to work with schools and colleges to encourage high standards and a great focus on writing in the classroom."

In Maryland, 45,231 test-takers posted an average math score of 509 and an average reading score of 503, a decrease of six and five points from last year. The average writing score in the state was 499.

"The new SAT is a much different assessment," Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick said. "It is longer and appears to be far more difficult than the previous exam for many students."

Montgomery County students' overall average score of 1,634 surpassed the state average of 1,511 and the national average of 1,518.

In Prince George's County, students posted an average reading score of 437, down five points from last year, and an average math score of 425, down 10 points from last year. The county's writing score was 433.