Gwinnett Test-Takers Exceed State in SAT

(Editor's Note: This article is taken director from a press release from Gwinnett County Public Schools.)

Gwinnett County Public Schools released SAT scores for the Class of 2011, the fifth class to take the new version of the SAT, which features a writing section. Once again, Gwinnett test-takers topped state and national averages on all sections (critical reading, math, and writing) of the test.

However, SAT averages at local, state, and national levels decreased overall. Test participation in Gwinnett County Public Schools continues to be noteworthy as more and more students take the SAT and prepare for college. The district has experienced a 29.2 percent increase in SAT participation over the last two years.

Gwinnett SAT Highlights:

• Gwinnett’s average composite score on the SAT is 1511, a combination of the average critical reading score of 501, the average mathematics score of 521, and the average writing score of 489. (Possible scores range from 200 to 800 on each section. The highest possible composite score is 2400.)
• Gwinnett’s total SAT average is 11 points above the national average of 1500
• Gwinnett’s average is 66 points above the Georgia average of 1445.
• Over the last two years, GCPS has experienced a 29.2 percent increase in SAT participation. In 2009, 5,796 students took the SAT in Gwinnett. This past year, Gwinnett had 7,490 SAT test takers. That is an increase of nearly 1,700 test takers over a two-year period.

Individual school averages in Snellville:

: In 2010: 547 in reading, 568 in math and 536 in writing. Total in 2010: 1651. In 2011, 528 in reading, 557 in math and 525 in writing. Total in 2011: 1610

: In 2010: 458 in reading, 466 in math and 449 in writing. Total in 2010: 1373. In 2011: 463 in reading, 472 in math and 447 in writing. Total in 2011: 1382

: In 2010: 485 in reading, 486 in math and 466 writing. Total in 2010: 1437. In 2011: 447 in reading, 456 in math and 433 in writing. Total in 2011: 1336

Individual school averages can be greatly affected by the unique characteristics of each year’s test takers. 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.