Gwinnett SAT Scores Beat State, Nation

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.

Locally, the two Norcross-area public high schools — and — both saw slight decreases in overall SAT averages from 2010 to 2011. Norcross’ average score fell from 1539 to 1519. Meadowcreek’s fell from 1359 to 1333.

Gwinnett Schools' average fell from 1532 to 1511; Georgia, 1453 to 1445; and U.S., 1509 to 1500.

A breakdown of local scores:

Norcross: In 2011 — 1519 (506 reading, 519 math, 494 writing). In 2010 — 1539 (508 reading, 528 math, 503 writing).
Meadowcreek: In 2011 — 1333 (447 reading, 457 math, 429 writing). In 2010 — 1359 (449 reading, 469 math, 441 writing). 

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 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.

Note: This report was based on a press release from Gwinnett County Schools.