Asian American students score best in U.S. SAT exam for 2009
Asian American students achieved best scores in the 2009 U.S. SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) college entrance exam in mathematics and writing, according to a report by the U.S. College Board.
In math, Asian American students scored an average of 587, 72 points, better than the general population of 515, said the report available to Xinhua on Wednesday.
In writing, they scored an average of 520, 27 points, higher than the general population of 493.
White students scored best in critical reading with 528, 27 points, better than the general population of 501. Asian American students ranked the second with 516.
According to the College Board officials, Asian American students appeared to do better at all income levels. They explained that was because they tend to take more Advanced Placement and other rigorous courses, and their families place a strong value on success in education.
A record 1.53 million students took the exam in 2009 in the United States, the report said.
The average combined scores are the lowest this decade and reflect stalled performance over the past three years. The reading scores are the worst since 1994, according to the report.
Hispanic students represent the largest and fastest-growing minority group taking the test, rising from 7.8 percent to 13.5 percent of all test-takers over the past 10 years, the board said.
The board released national and statewide data but did not release scores for individual counties, districts or schools.
It acknowledged lower scores for some minority groups and said the achievement gaps relate to how many honors or Advanced Placement courses students took before the test.