By the Numbers: SAT Scores for New Jersey's Class of 2013 Up 10 Points

New Jersey students – public and private – saw a 10-point overall increase in their mean SAT scores last year, a notable jump on a test on which overall results usually hardly budge in any given year. The increase in New Jersey’s scores was especially notable in a year in which the national mean scores were mostly unchanged.

But the numbers behind the numbers released by the College Board yesterday tell a host of other stories, too, showing that public schools are making progress but also showing that there wide gaps remain.

New Jersey’s State Profile Report includes interesting findings on such topics as what courses see the smartest kids and what colleges and majors are preferred.

Here are some of the SAT scores and other highlights in (mean scores, where applicable):

• New Jersey overall: 499 reading; 522 math; 500 writing (US: 496 reading; 514 math; 488 writing)

• Public schools: 495 reading; 521 math; 496 writing

• Religious schools: 520 reading; 524 math; 523 writing

• Independent schools: 590 reading; 602 math; 595 writing

Read more at NJSpotlight.com