SAT® Report: Only 43 Percent of 2012 College-Bound Seniors Are College Ready - Sept. 24, 2012

Sep 14, 2026

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SAT® Report on College & Career Readiness (Immediate Release, Sept. 24, 2012) finds that only 43% of SAT® takers in the high school class of 2012 graduated with academic preparedness aligned to a college-success likelihood benchmark. The report links meeting the SAT College & Career Readiness Benchmark to higher enrollment in four-year colleges, stronger first-year GPAs, and better retention. It emphasizes the role of core curriculum and rigorous coursework (including honors/AP), alignment with Common Core State Standards, and expanded SAT access and equity for underserved students.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

SAT College & Career Readiness Findings

SAT Benchmark and College Readiness Rates

Impact of Rigor on SAT Performance

Alignment with Common Core State Standards

SAT Access and Equity

Download The SAT® Report on College & Career Readiness at [http:/ / press.collegeboard.org/ sat](http:/ / press.collegeboard.org/ sat) Media Inquiries: College Board Communications [212-713-8052 /](212-713-8052 / communications@collegeboard.org)[ communications@collegeboard.org](212-713-8052 / communications@collegeboard.org) For Immediate Release: Sept. 24, 2012 SAT® Report: Only 43 Percent of 2012 College-Bound Seniors Are College Ready Report Underscores Importance of Increasing Rigor in America’s Schools NEW YORK—The SAT Report on College & Career Readiness released today revealed that only 43 percent of SAT® takers in the class of 2012 graduated from high school with the level of academic preparedness associated with a high likelihood of college success. These findings are based on the percentage of students in the class of 2012 who met the SAT College & Career Readiness Benchmark, which research shows is associated with higher rates of enrollment in four-year colleges, higher first-year college GPAs and higher rates of retention beyond the first year. ―This report should serve as a call to action to expand access to rigor for more students,‖ said College Board President Gaston Caperton.―Our nation’s future depends on the strength of our education system. When less than half of kids who want to go to college are prepared to do so, that system is failing. We must make education a national priority and deliver rigor to more students.‖ SAT Benchmark Among the high school class of 2012, 43 percent of all SAT takers met the SAT College & Career Readiness Benchmark. This percentage is consistent with that of the class of 2011, which also met the benchmark at a rate of 43 percent. The SAT Benchmark score of 1550 indicates a 65 percent likelihood of achieving a B-average or higher during the first year of study at a four-year college. Impact of Rigor on College Readiness and SAT Performance The SAT performance of students in the high school class of 2012 continues to reinforce the importance of a rigorous high school education. Data confirm that students who complete a core curriculum and enroll in honors and/or Advanced Placement Program® (AP® ) courses perform better on the SAT. The relationship between high school course work and SAT performance is understandable, since the SAT is a valid and reliable measure of a student ’s college readiness, and students who complete a core curriculum and participate in more rigorous course work are often better prepared for college. When students are better prepared for college, they are more likely to do well in college, more likely to stay in college and more likely to graduate from college—the keystone of our efforts to sustain American competitiveness and prosperity long into the future. The College Board and the Common Core State Standards The Common Core State Standards have been designed to provide a rigorous learning platform that prepares our nation ’s students to perform in the classroom, to succeed in college and to prosper in their careers. The College Board has been a consistent advocate and collaborator in the development of the Common Core State Standards, helping to draft the original College and Career Readiness Standards, providing feedback on the K–12 standards and serving on the advisory group that guided the initiative. The College Board is committed to helping states and districts understand how to implement these new common standards. The SAT is aligned to the Common Core State Standards as well or better than any assessment that has been developed for college admission High School CourseWork and SAT Mean Scores +144 points on the SAT for students who completed a core curriculum versus those who did not. +294 points on the SAT for students who took AP® or honors mathematics versus those who did not. +251 points on the SAT for students who took AP or honors English versus those who did not. +284 points on the SAT

FAQs

What does the SAT College & Career Readiness Benchmark measure in this report?

It reflects the level of academic preparedness associated with a higher likelihood of college success, based on students in the class of 2012 who met the benchmark.

How does rigorous coursework affect SAT performance for the class of 2012?

Students who complete a core curriculum and enroll in honors and/or Advanced Placement (AP®) courses perform better on the SAT than those who do not.

What access and equity findings does the report highlight?

The report notes increased SAT participation among minority students and first-generation college goers, and it emphasizes barriers faced by traditionally underserved students such as financial, familial, and geographic constraints.

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Stanford