Georgia students increase SAT scores in all areas, outperform nation on redesigned SAT

“I am pleased to see the hard work of Georgia’s teachers, students, parents, and partners in education paying off." 
-- Richard Woods, Georgia's School Superintendent

Georgia students increased their scores on every section of the traditional SAT in 2016. On the new SAT, a redesigned test with a different scoring system, Georgia students outperformed the national average, and ranked 36th in the nation. A total of 69,922 students in the class of 2016 took the SAT (old or new) at least once. 

On the “old” SAT, Georgia’s class of 2016 recorded a mean composite score of 1459 – up nine points since 2015, when the mean score was 1450. Mean scores increased from 490 to 493 for critical reading, 485 to 490 for math, and 475 to 476 for writing.

Some students in Georgia’s class of 2016 took the redesigned SAT, which scores students in evidence-based reading and writing (ERW) and math. 

“I am pleased to see the hard work of Georgia’s teachers, students, parents, and partners in education paying off,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “This is just one measure of achievement, but it’s a signal that more students are prepared for the future, and that’s something to celebrate. As we continue to realign our focus and pursue policies that prepare children to learn, live, and lead in the future, I believe we’ll see continued increases in SAT scores and other indicators.”

On the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10, 40,330 Georgia eleventh graders took the test and recorded a mean total score of 1030 – higher than the national mean of 1009. Georgia juniors recorded a mean score of 519 in evidence-based reading and writing and 510 in math, compared to the national mean of 507 in ERW and 502 in math. ​​