State Does Better On SAT And AP Courses

Statistics released today show Arkansas students scored higher on the SAT college entrance exam than the national average. Also today, the Board of Education said the states ranks of Advanced Placement students grew in the past year. More than 6600 Arkansas students took more than 11,000 Advanced Placement tests -- a thirty percent increase over last year. The Advanced Placement tests are given for students who take special courses during the year and good scores can earn college credits. The Arkansas average score on the SAT was 1124, up six points from last year. The national average held steady at 1026. The highest possible score is 1600. The SAT is typically only taken by high school seniors planning to go to college out of state, so Arkansas has fewer participants than many other states. Most college-bound Arkansas students take the ACT instead.