More seniors than ever take SAT

• Tweet

NEW YORK, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- The largest group of U.S. high school seniors ever took the Scholastic Aptitude Test in 2011, the College Board reported Wednesday.

The almost 1.65 million students who took the test were also the most diverse class ever with 44 percent members of minority groups. More than one-third, 36 percent, came from families where no one has gone to college.

The board reported that 43 percent met the SAT Benchmark, a combined score of 1550 in the three parts of the test, critical reading, writing and mathematics. Researchers say those who achieve that score have a 65 percent chance of completing college with an average of B- or better.

"The SAT is the national leader in assessing college readiness and students who meet the College Board's College Readiness benchmark are more likely to enroll in, succeed and graduate from college," said College Board President Gaston Caperton. "Ensuring that students are ready to attend and complete college provides them with the competitive advantage they need to successfully compete in the global economy, which is critical to the future of our nation."