Scores Stable as More Minorities Take SAT

For Fairfax County public schools, the average score rose 15 points, to 1654, from last year. Montgomery County public schools' scores dropped seven points, to 1617. The two counties, with the region's largest school systems, reported that fewer students took the test. Officials in both counties said that fewer black students took the exam. Hispanic participation decreased slightly in Fairfax.

One possible explanation is that more students are opting to take the ACT, another widely used entrance exam, school officials said. In addition, some colleges are making the SAT test optional for

admissions. Fairfax school officials also said more students opted not to answer a question on their ethnicity.

In Arlington County schools, the overall number of students tested dropped, although the tally of black and Hispanic test-takers rose. Black students

received higher scores in all three sections, but the scores for Hispanic students fell across the board.

The SAT used to be taken mainly by an elite group of top-performing students. Kathleen Wills, director of planning and evaluation for Arlington schools, said a small dip in performance is expected as more students who aren't at the top of their class join the test-takers.

"When you see participation increase, it's not surprising to see the overall averages drop," Wills said. "The first groups that participate are likely to be the highest-achieving students."

Staff writers Nelson Hernandez, Ian Shapira, Bill Turque and Theresa Vargas contributed to this report.