College Board Reports Most Diverse Class of SAT Test-takers on Record: A record-number of students took the SAT this year, and the increase reflects on this year’s average scores, which showed no improvement over last year and were the lowest in nearly a decade.
The number of SAT takers for 2008 rose to more than 1.5 million, posting a record number of test-takers for any given year, the College Board announced Tuesday. The test saw an 8 percent increase from five years ago and a 29.5 percent increase from 10 years ago.
This year’s class was the most diverse class on record with historic increases in the number of Hispanic, Black and Asian American students taking the test, College Board officials said. Minority students accounted for 40 percent of test-takers, and 36 percent were the first in their families to attend college. Nearly one in seven low-income students was eligible to take the test for free.
Scores on the college entrance exam fell to their lowest level since the late 1990s last year. This year’s average scores saw no improvement. In fact, they mirrored those of last year.
