Blythewood High School students taking the American College Testing (ACT) exams in 2012 saw their composite scores drop slightly compared to 2011 numbers, according to data released Wednesday by the S.C. Department of Education.
Blythewood High School test takers amassed a composite score of 19.6 on the exams, down from 19.8 in 2011.
The ACT is a national college admissions examination that consists of subject area tests in English, mathematics, reading and science. The test includes 215 multiple-choice questions and with a “36” as the highest possible score. The test is offered six times per year in the U.S., and is usually taken during a student’s junior or senior year of high school.
In 2012, 197 Blythewood students took the exam, averaging scores of 18.8 in English, 19.8 in math, 19.8 in reading and 19.5 in science. In 2011, 243 Blythewood students took the exams, averaging scores of 18.7 in English, 20.1 in math, 20.2 in reading and 19.6 in science.
For the entire Richland 2 school district, composite scores increased to 20.3 in 2012 over 20.2 in 2011. Across the district, 805 students took the exam in 2012, with average scores of 19.4 in English, 20.6 in math, 20.5 in reading and 20.2 in science.
Statewide, the composite score for public school students was 19.9, with average scores of 19.1 in English, 20.1 in math, 20.1 in reading and 19.9 in science.
Nationally, the composite score for all students and public school students was the same at 21.1, with average scores of 20.5 in English, 21.1 in math, 21.3 in reading and 20.9 in science.