Study: Mississippi average SAT scores rank fifth-highest in U.S.

New data has revealed that Mississippi is ranked as one of the top five states with the highest average SAT scores in the nation.

The SAT — a written standardized test widely used for college admissions — has been utilized for 96 years and recently announced plans to switch to a fully digital format in January 2024.

According to a study by Nootroedge, Mississippi had the fifth-highest average SAT test scores by state after combining results from all test sections. The study tallied scores from the test’s reading, writing, language, and math sections before calculating each state’s average out of a total score of 1,600.

• Wisconsin was named the top state with the most academically-savvy students after taking the number one spot with an average SAT score of 1,252 out of 1,600.
• Wyoming was ranked second place with an average score of 1,244, performing 11 percent higher than the national average of 1,107.
• Kansas had the third-highest average SAT score of 1,238 — just six points less than Wyoming and 10.5 percent higher than the national average.
• Coming in fourth place, Utah’s average SAT score was 1,233, putting it closely behind second and third place. 
• Mississippi ranked fifth place with an average score of 1,226, which is 9.7 percent higher than the national average.

On the other end of the scale, the state with the lowest average SAT score was West Virginia with an average score of 938 out of a possible 1,600, almost 20 percent less than the national average.  

RELATED: ACT scores in Mississippi reported as second-lowest in U.S. 

“For those who are preparing for their SATs or who are currently undertaking their PSATs it is important to focus on honing your concentration and memory skills to ensure you are well prepared for the test,” Nootroedge SAT expert Thomas Riley explained. “Once at college, concentration will become an essential skill and it can often be difficult to hone, especially for students with their ever-changing schedules or stacked exam schedules, which is why natural supplements — ideally that include ingredients such as Bacopa and L-theanine — can be useful to help enhance their learning and revision skills.”

Further Google keyword data analysis by Nootroedge also revealed that students are concerned with their studies overall, especially when it comes to writing essays and completing coursework.

One of the most popular searches in 2023 has been “citation machine,” a tool where students input details and receive a citation matched to each referencing style. Another search that has jumped to the top of students’ lists given the rise of the use of AI tools has been “AI essay writer.”

Here’s the full ranking and scores for all 50 states: