Students in Austin ISD continue to outpace their counterparts throughout the state on the SAT and ACT exams, according to data released today by the College Board.

“I’m proud of our students and staff for all the hard work that goes into an accomplishment such as this,” said AISD Superintendent Paul Cruz. “We’re excited to share that we are beating the state and national averages on both tests, and will continue to prepare students to succeed in college, career and life.”

The district’s average SAT composite score of 1098 exceeded the state and the national averages at 1019 and 1070, respectively. Greater percentages of AISD students also met college-ready benchmarks than did those across the state and nation.

The College Board released a new version of the SAT in March 2016. Most AISD students in 2016–17 took the redesigned SAT that is scored on a 1600-point scale rather than a 2400-point scale. 

These results follow ACT results released last month, showing that AISD students also outperformed state and national test-takers.

The ACT consists of the following subject area tests: English, mathematics, reading and scientific reasoning. The highest score possible on each section of the ACT is 36.

ACT reported a drop in the number of test-takers this year because of state requirements for high school seniors to take the SAT in Illinois and Michigan. AISD also experienced slight declines in SAT and ACT test-taking in 2016–17 because more AISD students are taking the Texas Success Initiative Assessment offered in their high schools for postsecondary admissions purposes.

For a summary report containing all 2017 SAT and ACT results, please visit www.austinisd.org/dre.