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By Nicole Hui
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Oct. 8, 2003 |
Lowell students average scores for the 2003 standardized tests have risen steadily since 1996, according to Educational Testing Services.
Students mean scores for the Scholastic Aptitude Test I verbal section have increased 2.6 percent, and scores in math have improved 4.5 percent since 1996. National average scores have improved modestly compared to Lowells. The national score increase is 0.003 percent for verbal and 0.02 percent for math.
Some students believe that their peers diligence in preparing for the SAT contributes to this improvement.
Lowell students study more, use preparatory books, and some take SAT classes to enhance their scores, senior Huilin Wang said.
Others say that the strenuous classes and competitiveness that students strive through account for the increase in SAT scores.
The rigorous education and competitive environment at Lowell push the students to work harder to get better scores and grades, junior Alyssa Wong said.
Junior Jessica Lian added that because colleges emphasize SAT scores and grade point averages, Lowell students try to score well on the SATs to compensate for the lack of high GPAs, which are harder to attain at Lowell.
However, not everyone sees the increase in SAT scores to be of great significance.
The increase in SAT scores among Lowell students may give us all a nice warm fuzzy feeling, counselor Harlan Edelman said. However, it is not clear whether the increase is relatively significant. |
