Hawaii SAT scores decline

A new test format is blamed for the drop, which has affected test-takers nationwide

Hawaii student scores on the College Board SATs tumbled this year, mirroring a national trend amid suggestions that a new version of the test taken by college-bound seniors might be to blame.

Hawaii's average scores fell to 509 for math, down seven points from the previous year. Reading scores slipped eight points to 482.

Hawaii test-takers, which include college-bound public and private school students, scored an average 472 on a new writing portion of the test administered for the first time this year.

Hawaii scores had been stable up to this year.

"When you see fairly drastic changes like that, it makes you wonder. Maybe it was the test itself," said Greg Knudsen, spokesman for the Hawaii Department of Education.

National averages were 518 for math and 503 for reading, down two and five points, respectively, the largest annual declines in three decades.

The College Board said the national score decline may be due to fewer students making second attempts on the test. The number of test-takers declined this year.

It denied that the test's length was a factor -- it has grown to three hours and 45 minutes, from three hours previously.

But the Massachusetts-based National Center for Fair and Open Testing said the results pour water on past College Board assertions that the new test would be no harder or easier.

"Now they have to explain how and why the revised exam led to lower scores," said the center's Public Education Director Bob Schaeffer.

Schaeffer noted that while fewer high school seniors took the test, increasing numbers are taking the rival ACT. The SAT tests general knowledge while the ACT measures mastery of high school coursework.

"More and more students are convinced that the 'new' SAT is a pointless, high-priced marathon that does not accurately assess their ability to do college work," he said.

The voluntary test now costs students $41.50.

Last year, the College Board announced that it wrongly scored more than 5,000 exams.

Hawaii School Superintendent Pat Hamamoto said unfamiliarity with how to prepare for the revised test might have been a factor.

"Nevertheless, we remain concerned about any drop in scores. We want to make sure all our children are college-ready," she said, adding that the department plans to further analyze the scores.

It also has reached a deal with the College Board to administer the Preliminary SAT to public school 10th-graders beginning next year to increase familiarity with the test.