Missouri Students Outpace Nation in ACT Scores
The exam utilized more than any other to determine college admissions showed positive marks for Missouri students in 2006. High school students taking the ACT (American College Testing) exam in Missouri scored a higher average in the four core areas of testing (English, Math, Reading and Science) than the national average.
Missouri student's ACT composite score for the four areas was 21.6. The national composite score average was 21.1. In the four core areas, Missouri students scored 21.5 on English, 21.0 on Math, 22.0 on Reading and 21.5 on Science. Nationally, student average scores were 20.6 on English, 20.8 on Math, 21.4 on Reading and 20.9 on Science.
Connecticut students led the nation with a composite score of 23.1, followed by Massachusetts (23.0), Washington (22.9), New Hampshire (22.6) and New York (22.6).
Missouri high school students also outpaced national averages with a higher percentage of ACT test-takers that are ready for college-level courses in each of the four college course areas.
A benchmark score is the minimum score needed on an ACT subject-area to indicate a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in the corresponding credit-bearing college courses.
| State | Average Composite Score | Average English Score | Average Math Score | Average Reading Score | Average Science Score | Percent of Graduates Tested |
| National | 21.1 | 20.6 | 20.8 | 21.4 | 20.9 | 40.0 |
| 23.1 | 23.0 | 23.0 | 23.6 | 22.2 | 12.0 | |
| 23.0 | 22.9 | 23.3 | 23.4 | 22.0 | 13.0 | |
| 22.9 | 22.4 | 22.7 | 23.6 | 22.4 | 15.0 | |
| 22.6 | 22.4 | 22.5 | 23.2 | 21.8 | 12.0 | |
| 22.6 | 21.8 | 22.9 | 22.9 | 22.3 | 17.0 | |
| 22.5 | 22.1 | 22.2 | 22.9 | 22.2 | 19.0 | |
| 22.4 | 21.6 | 22.4 | 23.1 | 21.9 | 13.0 | |
| 22.3 | 22.0 | 21.9 | 23.1 | 21.6 | 10.0 | |
| 22.3 | 21.6 | 22.1 | 22.6 | 22.3 | 67.0 | |
| 22.2 | 21.5 | 22.0 | 22.4 | 22.2 | 68.0 | |
| 22.1 | 21.6 | 21.8 | 22.5 | 22.1 | 65.0 | |
| 21.9 | 21.2 | 22.7 | 21.9 | 21.5 | 17.0 | |
| 21.9 | 21.0 | 21.7 | 22.5 | 21.8 | 57.0 | |
| 21.9 | 21.5 | 21.6 | 22.2 | 21.8 | 76.0 | |
| 21.8 | 21.3 | 21.5 | 22.3 | 21.6 | 75.0 | |
| 21.8 | 21.5 | 22.2 | 22.0 | 21.0 | 8.0 | |
| 21.8 | 21.3 | 21.7 | 22.2 | 21.4 | 9.0 | |
| 21.8 | 21.0 | 21.6 | 22.0 | 21.8 | 75.0 | |
| 21.7 | 21.1 | 21.6 | 22.2 | 21.4 | 20.0 | |
| 21.7 | 21.2 | 21.0 | 22.4 | 21.6 | 69.0 | |
| 21.6 | 20.9 | 21.9 | 22.0 | 21.3 | 18.0 | |
| 21.6 | 21.1 | 22.2 | 21.8 | 20.8 | 14.0 | |
| 21.6 | 21.5 | 21.0 | 22.0 | 21.5 | 70.0 | |
| 21.6 | 20.7 | 21.0 | 22.4 | 21.7 | 71.0 | |
| 21.5 | 20.7 | 21.2 | 21.8 | 21.7 | 67.0 | |
| 21.5 | 20.8 | 21.5 | 22.0 | 21.2 | 27.0 | |
| 21.5 | 20.8 | 21.3 | 21.9 | 21.5 | 66.0 | |
| 21.4 | 20.7 | 21.3 | 22.1 | 21.0 | 5.0 | |
| 21.4 | 20.6 | 21.1 | 22.1 | 21.2 | 57.0 | |
| 21.4 | 21.1 | 21.4 | 21.9 | 20.9 | 12.0 | |
| 21.4 | 20.5 | 21.4 | 21.6 | 21.5 | 80.0 | |
| 21.2 | 20.9 | 21.1 | 21.8 | 20.7 | 8.0 | |
| 21.1 | 20.0 | 21.2 | 21.7 | 20.8 | 25.0 | |
| 21.1 | 20.6 | 21.0 | 21.4 | 20.7 | 15.0 | |
| 20.7 | 20.8 | 19.9 | 21.1 | 20.3 | 93.0 | |
| 20.6 | 20.7 | 19.9 | 20.9 | 20.3 | 75.0 | |
| 20.6 | 20.2 | 19.9 | 21.1 | 20.5 | 76.0 | |
| 20.6 | 20.8 | 19.6 | 21.2 | 20.5 | 64.0 |
For national and individual state reports, click here: http://www.act.org/news/data.html
