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Published on 10/13/1999 All articles from this issue

Local students score big on SAT exam

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Town Crier Staff Report

This year's scores for the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) at the Mountain View/Los Altos Union High School District soared in most areas - significantly exceeding state and national averages.

The scores from the verbal portion of the test from Mountain View High were the highest recorded in the past nine years, according to test data released this month. Scores jumped nine points from last year, with the senior class scoring an average of 563 points. The senior class average verbal score at Los Altos High jumped three points from 557 last year's 560. The districtwide average increased from 556 to 562.

In comparison, the statewide verbal score leveled off at an average of 497, the same as last year. This year's national average was 505.

Like the statewide trend, the districtwide average on the mathematical reasoning section of the test dropped slightly. The district score dropped from 593 to 592 this year. District students still outscored their state and national peers. The state average was 514 and the national average was 511.

The average score at Los Altos High was 595 compared to last year's 588. The average score at Mountain View High was 589 compared to 597 last year.

Students nationwide take the exam during their junior and senior years of high school as part of the college application process. More California students than ever before - 49 percent - took the exam for eligibility this year.

The high school district followed the state trend, reporting a record number of students taking the test.

About 73 percent, three percent more than in 1991, from Los Altos High took the exam; about 83 percent, or 13 percent more than in 1991 took the exam at Mountain View High.