SAT average scores remain steady

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- A record number of graduating high school seniors, including more minorities, took the SAT this year, with average scores holding steady with last year.

The percentage of those taking the test who are members of minority groups rose slightly from 39 percent to 40 percent, the Washington Post reported. The percentage of students who would be the first in their families to go to college also rose by 1 percent to 36 percent.

More than 1.5 million students took

Average scores for this year were 502, critical reading, 515, math, and 494, writing, all out of a possible total of 800. The combined average was 1,511, out of a possible 2,400 points.

SAT scores had been dropping year-to-year for several years following a revision of the test.

"It's essential that all students strive to attend college -- and then succeed in their classes and, ultimately, graduate," said Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board. "We're gratified to see that our country is moving increasingly toward being a nation of college graduates."