COLLEGE EXAMS Ohio SAT scores are above average

A most popular chosen major of Ohio SAT-takers was health sciences/services.
Ohio's class of 2003 achieved scores above the national average on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs).
They scored an average of 536 on the verbal test, compared to 507 nationally, and 541 on the mathematics test, compared to 519 nationally, according to results released recently by the College Board's Advanced Placement Program.
Over the past 10 years, mathematics scores have increased six points and verbal scores have increased 14 points.
ACT results
The SAT results follow an earlier announcement from the American College Testing (ACT) entrance and placement exam that reported Ohio's class of 2003 outscored the national average for the fifth year in a row.
The average ACT scores for graduating seniors in 2003 places them ahead of the national average. The ACT report also showed that an additional 3,708 Ohio students participated in the ACT this year.
The number of Ohio SAT test-takers also increased from last year's class, jumping from 33,467 in 2002 to 35,487 in 2003.
"It's encouraging that more Ohio students are taking both the ACT and SAT and that as a group, they are doing better than national averages," said Susan Tave Zelman, superintendent of public instruction.
"We anticipate Ohio's scores to continue to increase as new assessments are aligned to the new academic content standards."
Zelman further noted that SAT and ACT scores show that strong academic preparation in high school is a key factor in Ohio's performance on these national assessments.
Strong academic preparation continues to be a key factor in Ohio's consistent performance on the SAT. Students who completed a core curriculum scored average verbal and mathematics scores of 544 and 549, respectively, compared to scores of 505 and 509 for students who did not complete a core curriculum.
A core curriculum is defined by SAT as four or more years of English and three or more years each of mathematics, social science and natural science.
"Mastering content within the core curriculum prepares students for the life skills needed beyond their high school years, especially if they choose to enter a college or university," Zelman added.
The SAT examinations are the primary components of a program designed to assess many of the skills that are critical to a student's success in higher education. The tests are designed to provide a common standard against which students can be compared, especially when applying for college.
More facts
Additional highlights:
UOhio's average score increased one point in mathematics and three points on the verbal test. The 2003 average scores for the mathematics and verbal were 541 and 536, respectively;
UIn Ohio, the average mathematics score for males of 562 (no change from last year) is higher than the national average score of 533. The mathematics score of 525 for females increased one percent over last year and is higher than the national average of 498.
UIn Ohio, the average verbal score for males of 536 (up 4 percent over last year) is higher than the national average score of 508. The verbal score of 529 for females increased 2 percent over last year and is higher that the national average of 499.
UThe three most popular intended majors of Ohio test takers this year were: health sciences/services, first; business administration, second; and engineering, third.
UThe three most popular intended majors for males were engineering, business/management and health sciences/services. For females, they were health sciences/services, education, and social behavioral science/history.