Fulton High Schools See Gains In SAT Scores

FULTON COUNTY, GA — Results released Thursday by The College Board show the Fulton County School System improved and outperformed the state and country on the SAT. The school system increased its total average score in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math by 40 points to 1091 for 2018, compared to 1051 in 2017. The state and national scores for public schools were 1054 and 1049, respectively.

FCS also said there was improvement in individual school performance. Fourteen of the district’s 18 high schools increased their total scores, with 10 reporting gains of 10 or more points. High schools increasing their total scores this year are Alpharetta, Banneker, Cambridge, Centennial, Chattahoochee, Hapeville Charter Career Academy, Johns Creek, Milton, Northview, North Springs, Riverwood, Roswell, Tri-Cities and Westlake.

Out of those 14 schools reporting increases, double-digit gains were posted at Alpharetta, Banneker, Cambridge, Hooch, Hapeville, Johns Creek, Milton, Northview, North Springs and Riverwood. Fulton also saw an increase in the number of students taking the SAT in 2018. The total number of test takers in Fulton was 5,411 in 2018, compared to 4,110 in 2017.

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This marks the second year of the re-designed SAT, which Fulton County students took for the first time in 2016-17. The new test has two sections — Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and Math — whereas the previous SAT had three sections, Critical Reading, Writing and Math. Both the new and old SAT have an optional essay. With the redesign, scoring for the test also changed. The old SAT had an overall score of 2400, while the new SAT has an overall score of 1600.

The SAT is a college entrance exam that is developed, administered and scored by The College Board. It is designed to test the subject matter learned by students in high school and the critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in college. The test has two sections – critical reading/writing and mathematics – both worth 800 points, for a highest possible score of 1600.

In Fulton County, PSAT testing occurs for students in grades 9, 10 and 11 to help strengthen their academic preparation and to identify personal strengths and weaknesses before they take the test. Free SAT prep classes also are offered online through The College Board.

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