Fairfax County SAT Scores Continue to Surpass State and Global Averages

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) seniors in the class of 2022 continued to perform well above state and global averages on the SAT, according to results released by the College Board. The FCPS total mean score of 1185 surpassed both the state average (1124) and the global average (1050) for the class of 2022.

Likewise, FCPS Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (593) and Mathematics (592) subtest scores posted above the state and global averages for students overall and each reporting group, as shown in the table below. 

2022 Fairfax, Virginia, and U.S. Public School Mean SAT Scores*

* Only the most recent results from the revised (2016) SAT assessment are considered. All score calculations are based on College Board public reporting, as of September 28, 2022.

Despite strong outcomes for Fairfax seniors, five-year trends for mean SAT scores are down globally since 2018, a pattern consistent in Virginia and FCPS. FCPS did experience a rebound in participation rates to 66.5 percent of membership for the class of 2022. This represents a total of 9,880 participating students, which is 562 more than tested in the class of 2021. This increase was influenced by the decision to continue offering FCPS seniors free access to SAT School Day, together with fewer pandemic-related test cancellations over the past year.

Participation has yet to return to the five-year high of 69.2 percent in 2018. In addition to lingering impacts from pandemic testing constraints since 2020, FCPS participation rates reflect a developing nationwide movement to de-emphasize entrance exams within the college admissions process. 

###

Note: For more information, contact the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Office of Communication and Community Relations at 571‑423-1200.

Fairfax County Five-Year Comparisons - Mean SAT Scores