SAT PARTICIPATION INCREASES FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2020; PSAT/NMSQT TESTING BEGINS NATIONWIDE

SAT Participation in the Class Of 2025 Surpasses 2 Million Test Takers

NEW YORK, Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2025 SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report shows that more than 2 million students in the high school class of 2025 took the SAT^® at least once, up from 1.97 million in the class of 2024. The class of 2025 was the first to surpass more than 2 million SAT takers since the covid-19 pandemic and the first majority-digital cohort, with 97% of students taking a digital SAT.

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/college_board/9317052-en-sat-participation-increases-first-time-since-2020

Consistent with the all-time high set by the class of 2024, 68% of SAT takers in this year's graduating class took the SAT during the school day rather than on the weekend. The 2024-25 school year was the first full school year of digital testing for the SAT Suite in the United States, including the PSAT/NMSQT^® administered in fall 2024, the PSAT^™ 10 administered in spring 2025, and the SAT and PSAT^™ 8/9 assessments administered throughout the school year.

As SAT participation returns to pre-pandemic numbers, the class of 2025 is the fourth largest SAT cohort in the 100-year history of the assessment. The growth in test taking reinforces that students and educators in high schools and colleges recognize the value of the SAT as a way to identify students' knowledge and strengths, and connect them to resources and opportunities for colleges, scholarships, and careers.

"SAT participation increasing alongside the complete transition to digital testing shows that students and educators continue to value the SAT and appreciate the overall digital testing experience," said Priscilla Rodriguez, senior vice president of College Readiness Assessments. "With digital testing we are able to improve and enhance the student and school experience, while maintaining the rigor the SAT is known for: measuring the knowledge and skills that students need to succeed in college and career."

Average SAT scores for the class of 2025 are 521 in Reading and Writing (RW) and 508 in Math. For more information on the 2025 results, read the full press release.

PSAT/NMSQT Testing Begins; 2025 Results

October is an important month for high school students as millions of 10th and 11th graders across the country will take the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.) The PSAT/NMSQT is a key first step on the path to college and future opportunities.

The PSAT/NMSQT is the only qualifying test for the National Merit^® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. The PSAT/NMSQT also provides students with benefits like connection to free SAT practice resources; information about their potential to succeed in Advanced Placement^® courses; more than $300 million in scholarship opportunities; opportunities to hear from colleges and scholarship programs; and resources like BigFuture School and Career Insights to explore college and career possibilities.

The PSAT/NMSQT measures the reading, writing, and math skills that students are learning in high school. Students can practice for the PSAT/NMSQT by taking practice tests on Bluebook, College Board's student testing app, and by doing more focused, skill-based practice with Official Digital SAT Practice on Khan Academy. The PSAT/NMSQT also provides students with early practice for the SAT because it has the same skills and uses a common score scale.

Approximately 3.4 million students took the PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 in school during the 2024-25 school year. For more information about the test and how students can practice and prepare, visit psat.org.

About College Board 
College Board reaches more than 7 million students a year, helping them navigate the path from high school to college and career. Our not-for-profit membership organization was founded more than 120 years ago. We pioneered programs like the SAT^® and AP^® to expand opportunities for students and help them develop the skills they need. Our BigFuture^® program helps students plan for college, pay for college, and explore careers. Learn more at cb.org.

SOURCE College Board