SAT scores fall slightly for state’s class of 2011

Average SAT scores for California’s high school class of 2011 dropped slightly compared with last year, but more college-bound seniors than ever took the exam, according to a report released Wednesday.

California test takers averaged 1,513 points out of a possible 2,400, scoring 499 in critical reading, 515 in mathematics and 499 in writing. The average score for critical reading was down two points and math and writing down one point from 2010.

Still, the state’s scores topped the national average of 1,500, which was down nine points from the year before. The numbers were released by the nonprofit College Board, which administers the SAT and Advanced Placement programs.

The increasing representation of students from varied academic backgrounds may factor into the poorer scores, according to the report, which noted that there were also more high-performing students in the class of 2011 than ever before. L.A. NOW