SAT Report: Only 43 Percent of 2012 College-Bound Seniors Are College Ready

The College Board’s recently released SAT Report on College & Career Readiness reported that only 43 percent of SAT® takers in the class of 2012 graduated from high school with the level of academic preparedness associated with a high likelihood of college success. These findings are based on the percentage of students in the class of 2012 who met the SAT College & Career Readiness Benchmark, which research shows is associated with higher rates of enrollment in four-year colleges, higher first-year college GPAs and higher rates of retention beyond the first year.

Among the high school class of 2012, 43 percent of all SAT takers met the SAT College & Career Readiness Benchmark. This percentage is consistent with that of the class of 2011, which also met the benchmark at a rate of 43 percent. The SAT Benchmark score of 1550 indicates a 65 percent likelihood of achieving a B- average or higher during the first year of study at a four-year college.

The College Board is advising that the SAT performance of students in the high school class of 2012 continues to reinforce the importance of a rigorous high school education. According to the board, data confirm that students who complete a core curriculum and enroll in honors and/or Advanced Placement Program courses perform better on the SAT.

To access the complete report, please visit:

College Board: The SAT Report on College & Career Readiness: 2012

Media report:

USA Today: SAT, ACT: Most high school kids lack skills for college (24 SEP 12)

Background information:

College Board