Recently released 2006 SAT results show that Fulton County students are continuing their trend of higher-than-average test scores. The 2006 test marks the 13th consecutive year that Fulton has maintained or improved its overall scores.

The results are the first released since the SAT was restructured in 2005. Instead of just a verbal and math section, the SAT now has three sections – math, critical reading, and writing. Each are scored within a range of 200-800 points, combining for a total of 2400 rather than 1600.

Fulton scores showed an average Critical Reading score of 522 compared to the state average of 494 and the national average of 503. The Math score for Fulton was 537 compared to 496 for the state and 503 nationally. The Writing score for Fulton was also higher at 521, compared to the state average of 487 and the national average of 497. Fulton totals for the three sections were 1,580 compared to 1,477 state average and 1,518 for the nation.

Overall, Fulton increased three points over the previous year in its combined critical reading and math scores. Georgia, as a whole, dropped three points, along with the national average, which dropped seven points.

This is the first year that writing scores have been reported, and Fulton’s score of 521 is higher than both the state (487) and the national (497) averages. The math and critical reading test scores can be compared to the previous math and verbal scores, but the writing section is completely new.

Previously known as the verbal section, the critical reading section includes short and long reading passages. Analogies, which were included in the previous SAT, were removed because they are less connected to the current high school curriculum but sentence-completion questions remain.

The new writing section requires students to write an essay similar to the type of writing required for in-class college essay exams. The students must take a position on an issue and use reasoning and examples to support their position. The writing section also includes multiple-choice questions that measure a student's ability to identify sentence errors, improve sentences, and improve paragraphs.

The math section includes topics from third-year college-preparatory math and Algebra II, such as exponential growth, absolute value, functional notation, and negative and fractional exponents. Quantitative comparisons from the previous SAT have been eliminated.

The College Board says that it changed the SAT to better reflect what students are learning in high school. The test has evolved since its introduction in 1926 to remain aligned with classroom practices and what schools are teaching. The last major change occurred in 1994, when antonym questions were removed and longer reading passages were added. Open-ended math questions also were added at that time, and calculators were allowed.

Research shows that students who take more rigorous courses, such as Advanced Placement and honors classes, usually score higher on the SAT. Additional measures, such as PSAT testing in grades 10 and 11 provide students a way to strengthen their academic preparation and to identify personal strengths and weaknesses before they take the test. Kaplan ® SAT preparation classes also are offered through high schools at reduced costs and free SAT prep classes are offered online through the College Board.

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