Why Do States With Fewer SAT Test-Takers Have Higher Average Scores?
I just saw a map showing the average SAT score by state, and I'm really confused. Why do states like North Dakota and Kansas have such incredibly high average scores, while places with heavy academic focuses seem so much lower? Is there a reason why the data looks like this?
15 Answers
It is all about selection bias. The states with the highest average SAT scores are usually the ones where the lowest percentage of students actually take the SA…
Wait, why would only a few students take it? Don't most high schools require you to take an entrance exam?
In many Midwestern and Southern states, the ACT is the dominant test. A lot of those states pay for every junior to take the ACT. So, the only kids taking the S…
So if a state mandates the SAT for everyone, what happens to their average?
The average plummets. When a state pays for all students to take the test, you get plenty of kids with no intention of going to college taking it. They might ju…
Does this mean comparing states with mandates to states without mandates is completely useless?
Basically, yes. If the data can't account for who is actually choosing to take the test versus who is forced to take it, comparing the averages between states i…
Is it true that colleges are starting to prefer one test over the other, or is it just a regional thing?
It used to be highly regional, but almost every major college in the US will accept either the SAT or the ACT now. You just take whichever test you are better a…
What about students who are English learners? Does that affect a state's average if they have a high population of ESL students?
Absolutely. States with very large ESL populations, like California or New Mexico, might see lower average scores because the test is heavily language-based, ev…
I saw New Mexico was at the very bottom of the list. Is that just because of a mandate?
Yes, New Mexico has an SAT mandate, so nearly 100% of high schoolers take it. Plus, they face challenges with high poverty rates and educational inequality, whi…
If a student wants to apply to a top coastal school but lives in an ACT-heavy state, do they have to pay out of pocket for the SAT?
Usually, yes. They will take the ACT for free with their school, and then pay out of pocket to take the SAT on a weekend to make sure their application is as co…