Fulton Students Outscore Fellow Georgians On SAT

FULTON COUNTY, GA — Fulton County Schools students performed better on the SAT in 2021 than they did in 2020 and bested the Georgia state average score by 51 points, data from the College Board shows. Scores for the district increased nearly five percent from 2020.

The test format includes two sections—Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math—for a total of 800 possible points each. There is also an optional essay, which doesn’t count toward the total score.

At the school level, 12 schools had increased total scores compared to 2020:

“These scores show that even a pandemic will not distract from the hard work and dedication of our students,” Fulton County Superintendent Mike Looney said. “This is also a testament to the commitment of our exceptional educators.”

While performance scores increased, Fulton County student participation in taking the SAT decreased approximately 30 percent, from 5,114 students taking the exam in 2020 to 3,573 students taking the exam in 2021. Approximately 53 percent of graduates participated in the SAT, a decrease of 24 percent compared to 2020. The decrease is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I commend all of our teachers, administrators, and service personnel for keeping students engaged and learning throughout this very challenging time,” School Board President Julia Bernath said.