For the second year in a row, South Carolina students outpaced the national average on nine out of the top ten subjects of Advance Placement exams.  Additionally, SC students showed growth on all three areas of the SAT as well as the overall composite score.

“This level of success is the byproduct of the support and preparation our state has put into our Advanced Placement programs,” said State Superintendent Molly Spearman. 

“I am so proud of the performance of our students and know that this success will only continue to grow in years to come,” concluded Spearman.

South Carolina saw growth in all three major areas of AP participation and performance. The number of students taking exams increased 6.5% from 2015 to 28,487. The number of exams increased 6.6% to 45,093 exams. South Carolina students scoring three or higher on AP exams increased 6.8% to 25,841 exams.

AP exam scores of three indicate a candidate who is qualified to take college-level courses.  Scores of four indicate someone who is well-qualified and a five indicates someone who is extremely well-qualified.  Colleges and universities often grant class credit and use AP scores of three or more to place students in higher course levels.

The number of minority students participating in AP exams increased 15% from last year. Minority students receiving scores of three of more increased 7.3%.

Finally, 6,587 students were named AP Scholars, meaning they scored three or higher on three or more AP exams.

SAT

During the 2015-2016 school year, the test maker of SAT, the College Board, redesigned the SAT assessment. The majority of the class of 2016 took the old SAT which was last administered in January 2016.  The redesigned SAT was administered first in March 2016.

A total of 19,327 public schools students within the class of 2016 took the SAT assessment prior to March 2016.

The mean scores for critical reading, mathematics, writing, as well as the overall composite score all rose from 2015 numbers.

Percentage of SC Students with Scores of 3+ on Top 10 AP Exams

** Composite scores are calculated using the actual (before rounding) mean scores for all tests.

SAT Data can be found by following this link.

AP Data can be found by following this link.