Historical SAT score trends: How have they changed?

I've been looking into SAT score trends and I'm curious how they have changed over the years. Does anyone have an idea of how the average SAT scores have evolved as more students take the test and the scoring criteria shifts?

Historical SAT score trends reveal some interesting fluctuations, mainly due to changes in the test format and the increasing number of students taking the exam. Here's a brief overview of how the SAT scores have evolved:

1. Original SAT (1926-1994)

In the early years, the SAT was scored on a scale of 200 to 800, with two sections (verbal and mathematics) and a maximum of 1600 points. During this period, average SAT scores generally ranged between the high 400s and mid 500s. There were some fluctuations in scores during these years, but the overall trend was relatively consistent.

2. Re-centering of scores (1995)

In 1995, the College Board re-centered SAT scores to account for a decline in average scores over the previous years. This process involved adjusting the score scale to bring the average score back to around 500 points per section (verbal and mathematics). As a result, students taking the SAT in 1995 and beyond received higher scores compared to those who had taken the test before the re-centering.

3. Introduction of the Writing section (2005-2016)

In 2005, a new writing section was added to the SAT, making the exam three sections with a total possible score of 2400 points. During this time, the average scores for each section (critical reading, mathematics, and writing) hovered around the high 400s and low 500s. This version of the SAT was criticized for its heavy emphasis on writing, which some believed wasn't directly relevant to college success.

4. Redesigned SAT (2016-present)

In 2016, the SAT underwent a significant redesign. The verbal and writing sections were merged into a single Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section, and the mathematics section remained separate. The total possible score returned to a maximum of 1600, and the essay became optional. Since this redesign, average EBRW scores have generally been in the low to mid 500s, while average mathematics scores have been in the high 400s to low 500s.

In summary, historical SAT score trends have been influenced by various factors, including changes in the test format, re-centering and adjustments to the scoring scale, and the growing number of test-takers. Since its creation, the SAT has been periodically re-designed to better align with college readiness and to maintain the validity and relevance of the exam in assessing students' academic potential. As a result, average SAT scores have shifted over the years, but they mostly remained within the high 400s to mid 500s for individual sections.