Gwinnett County Public Schools released SAT scores for the Class of 2008, the third class to take the new version of the SAT, which features a writing section. Gwinnett test-takers topped state and national averages on all sections (critical reading, math, and writing) of the test.

SAT Highlights:

• Gwinnett’s average composite score on the SAT is 1521, a combination of the average critical reading score of 504, the average mathematics score of 522, and the average writing score of 495. (Possible scores range from 200 to 800 on each section. The highest possible composite score is 2400.)
• Gwinnett’s total SAT average is 10 points above the national average of 1511.
• Gwinnett’s average is 55 points above the Georgia average of 1466.
• In mathematics, the county average of 522 is 29 points above the state’s average score and seven points above the national average.
• Gwinnett’s average critical reading score of 504 is 13 points above the state’s average and two points above the national average.
• On the writing portion of the test, Gwinnett’s average score of 495 is 13 points above the state and one point above the national average.
• A higher percentage of students generally take the SAT in Gwinnett than in the state or nation. Preliminary figures indicate that approximately 82 percent of GCPS seniors took the test.

Gwinnett continues its focus on closing the achievement gap that exists among different groups of learners. A quick review of performance and participation indicates that more Gwinnett Black and Hispanic students took the SAT in 2008 than in the previous year. 

• 1,321 Black students took the SAT in Gwinnett, an increase of 13.8 percent from the previous year. Writing scores of Gwinnett’s Black students increased four points to 447. Nationally, scores of Black students dropped in all three areas.
• 481 Hispanic students took the SAT in Gwinnett, an increase of 8.6 percent from the previous year. Gwinnett’s Hispanic test-takers improved scores in all three areas tested with Reading scores increasing seven points, Math scores increasing six points, and Writing scores increasing four points. Nationally, scores of Hispanic students dropped in all three areas.

A Review of the New SAT—How is it different?

The Class of 2008 is only the third class of test-takers to take the new version of the SAT. Several things differentiate the new test from previous tests, including:

• The new SAT features a writing section. Students are asked to take a position on an issue and use reasoning and examples taken from their previous in and out of class experiences to support the position.
• The critical reading test actually is more than a name change from the previous verbal section of the SAT. Reading passages are longer and require a deeper understanding of both vocabulary and contextual understanding. 
• The mathematics section includes questions testing students’ knowledge of Algebra II, an area not assessed in the previous version of the SAT.

Individual school averages can be greatly affected by the unique characteristics of each year’s test-takers. In addition, the College Board has indicated that when a new test is introduced, students usually vary their test taking behavior in a variety of ways that could affect scores. Students can improve their SAT scores by doing well in rigorous courses, reading challenging books and articles, and writing concise essays that include compelling details to support a persuasive argument.