Last item for navigation
SAT Scores Released for 2017 Graduating Class
Posted on 09/25/2017
SAT logo saying "SAT"Conyers, Ga. – SAT scores for high schools around the state have just been released for last year’s graduating class. The mean composite score for Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is 985 with the state at 1050.  “We are pleased that we have significantly closed the gap between us and the state in both evidence based reading and writing as well as math over the previous year,” says Superintendent Richard Autry. “While our scores are not where we want them, closing this gap affirms that our efforts for improvement are working.” 

“We will continue to use the PSAT scores to help guide our preparation efforts,” says Autry. “Through a partnership with College Board and Khan Academy, students are given the opportunity to take targeted practice tests based on their PSAT results free of charge. This is a great opportunity for students to hone their skills by taking practice tests with instant feedback and a personalized preparation plan.”

In its release, the Georgia Department of Education states that these SAT results set a new baseline for future year-to-year comparisons and cannot be compared to previous results. Results from earlier reports were based on the old SAT, which was based on a different score scale and different benchmarks. 

Students should be sure to complete the necessary core academic and Advanced Placement courses prior to taking college entrance exams. Often students take these tests before they have exposed themselves to the rigor of Advanced Placement courses, which are critical to posting a high score on this type of assessment. RCPS supports its students’ aspirations to go to college and will continue to provide free SAT preparation and improved advisement to parents and students so that they may achieve this goal. 

RCPS has a guide for parents and students called Map Your Future which outlines the best approach and timeline beginning at the middle school level for preparing to take college entrance exams. SAT scores cannot be significantly increased through short-term preparation programs or memorization strategies. Students must be exposed to higher level concepts, complex reading material, and sophisticated problem solving activities at an early age. As a school district, RCPS will continue to provide increased opportunities for advanced and enriched learning that exceeds that of the basic curriculum. 

RCPS recommends the following guidelines for students to be successful with college entrance exams:

Know which entrance exam is required by the college for which you are applying (ACT, SAT, PLAN).
Ideally, students should take entrance exams at the beginning of their senior year after successful completion of core content courses.
Students should complete at least one Advanced Placement course prior to testing.
Students in 11th grade and 12th grade should attend the free SAT prep workshops offered on Saturdays and during Intersessions. Workshop registration links and dates can be found at www.rockdaleschools.org/SATprep.
Follow RCPS Map Your Future, which is a basic guide for preparation beginning in middle school. All middle and high schools have copies of the guide, which can also be found at www.rockdaleschools.org/mapyourfuture.