LOUISVILLE, Ky. — High school students' scores on the ACT college admissions test have dropped to their lowest in more than three decades, showing a lack of student preparedness for college-level coursework, according to the nonprofit organization that administers the test.
Scores have been falling for six consecutive years, but the trend accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students in the class of 2023 whose scores were reported Wednesday were in their first year of high school when the virus reached the U.S.
“The hard truth is that we are not doing enough to ensure that graduates are truly ready for postsecondary success in college and career,” said Janet Godwin, chief executive officer for the nonprofit ACT.
The average ACT composite score for U.S. students was 19.5 out of 36. Last year, the average score was 19.8.
In Kentucky, the number of students tested was 50,429, according to a publication of the Kentucky Department of Education. The average composite score is 18.7. Over 60% of students took the ACT several times and the average composite score of that is 20.1.
"Kids coming to me are looking for higher scores than normal because it separates the kids who weren't really interested in it or didn't feel very good about it…they stepped away," said Louisville ACT Tutor Jed Hilbert.
The number of Kentucky students that decided to retake the standardized test rose from 22,847 in 2022 to 31,996 in 2023. The average test scores were .1 higher in Math, Reading and Science than they were in 2022. English saw a higher jump; in 2022, the average ACT score was 17.8. In 2023, it's 18.1.
"I've seen better players, better competitors show up, that's probably what's added to the jump a little bit. At least from what I've seen," said Hilbert.
The average scores in reading, science and math all were below benchmarks the ACT says students must reach to have a high probability of success in first-year college courses. The average score in English was just above the benchmark but still declined compared to last year.
“Kentucky has achieved a rare feat: expanding the number of students who take the ACT while also increasing scores from last year,” Interim Commissioner of Education Robin Kinney said. “The hard work of our students and educators shows up in many ways, and it’s important to celebrate accomplishments like this when we earn them.”
Many universities have made standardized admissions tests optional amid criticism that they favor the wealthy and put low-income students at a disadvantage.
About 1.4 million students in the U.S. took the ACT this year, an increase from last year. However, the numbers have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Godwin said she doesn't believe those numbers will ever fully recover, partly because of test-optional admission policies.
Of students who were tested, only 21% met benchmarks for success in college-level classes in all subjects. Research from the nonprofit shows students who meet those benchmarks have a 50% chance of earning a B or better and nearly a 75% chance of earning a C or better in corresponding courses.
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