SAT Scores


Maine's math scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test, administered by the College Board in Princeton, New Jersey, have consistently and substantially lagged the national average scores for over two decades.

During the 1980's Maine's verbal scores exceeded the national averages, but since 1990 they have generally been somewhat below those averages.

Since 1995, most SAT scores have conformed to a new system, which makes direct comparisons with older figures difficult.  However, in both the old and new systems, the differences between Maine and national scores have been consistent.

The most recent scores under the new system shows males out performing females in both areas, especially in math.
Math Verbal
Year Males Females Males Females
1998 506 503 518 486
1999 510 504 521 488
2000 506 503 519 484
2001 509 503 518 485
2002 503 501 521 485
2003 507 499 520 483

Parents' income and education are both positively associated with the percent of females participating and the students' scores.

 

 

Red   =  old system Black = new system
Verbal Math Verbal Math Verbal Math
Year US US Maine  Maine ME-US ME-US
1980 424 466 428 467 4 1
1981 424 467 426 465 2 -2
1982 426 467 427 463 1 -4
1983 425 468 427 464 2 -4
1984 426 471 429 462 3 -9
1985 431 475 432 466 1 -9
1986 431 475 434 466 3 -9
1987 430 476 433 466 3 -10
1988 428 476 430 466 2 -10
1989 427 476 431 466 4 -10
1990 424 476 423 463 -1 -13
1991 422 474 421 460 -1 -14
1992 423 476 422 460 -1 -16
1993 424 478 422 463 -2 -15
1994 423 479 420 463 -3 -16
1995 504 506 504 497 0 -9
1996 505 508 504 498 -1 -10
1997 505 511 507 504 2 -7
1998 505 512 504 501 -1 -11
1999 505 511 507 503 2 -8
2000 505 514 504 500 -1 -14
2001 506 514 506 500 0 -14
2002 504 516 503 502 -1 -14
2003 507 519 503 501 -4 -18
 

Sources: 

The College Board Internet web site, www.collegeboard.com; 2003 data from the 2003 Maine state report accessible though that site.
Pre-1995 Maine data is from the Maine Department of Education.

Return to Publius