NAEP Mathematics: National Average Scores

National Average Scores

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Overall Score Results

No significant change in average mathematics score for twelfth-graders compared to 2015

In 2019, the average mathematics score of 150 for twelfth-grade students was not significantly different compared to 2015, the previous assessment year, nor was it significantly different compared to 2005. The NAEP mathematics scale at grade 12 ranges from 0 to 300 (although student performance typically ranges from 104 to 197, representing the 10th and 90th percentiles, respectively). In 2005, the mean of the mathematics scale was set at 150 and the standard deviation at 34.

The chart below shows the trend in average mathematics scores beginning in 2005 and the cut scores indicating the lower end of the score range for each NAEP achievement level: NAEP Basic, NAEP Proficient, and NAEP Advanced. Read a description of each NAEP achievement level by clicking the question mark icons. Read more about NAEP achievement levels and how they are set. Please note: NAEP achievement levels are to be used on a trial basis and should be interpreted and used with caution.

Figure Trend in twelfth-grade NAEP mathematics average scores

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Scores By Percentile

Decrease in mathematics scores for lower-performing twelfth-grade students compared to 2015

NAEP reports scores at five selected percentiles to show the progress made by lower- (10th and 25th percentiles), middle- (50th percentile), and higher- (75th and 90th percentiles) performing students. In 2019, mathematics scores were lower by 3 points for lower-performing students at the 10th and 25th percentiles compared to 2015. In comparison to 2005, the mathematics score was higher at the 90th percentile.

Figure Trend in twelfth-grade NAEP mathematics scores at five selected percentiles

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Legend

Click on a data point or key for more details. Click again to return to the overview for all categories.

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National Achievement-Level Results

Next page: National Student Group Scores and Score Gaps

NOTE: Beginning with the 2017 assessment, NAEP mathematics results at grades 4 and 8 are from a digitally based assessment; prior to 2017, results were from a paper-and-pencil-based assessment for grades 4 and 8. In 2019, the digitally based NAEP mathematics assessment at grade 12 was administered for the first time. The 2019 grade 12 mathematics report includes results from students who took the digitally based assessment and students who took the paper-based assessment. For more information, see the About page. The NAEP mathematics scale ranges from 0 to 500 at grades 4 and 8, and ranges from 0 to 300 at grade 12. Accommodations were not permitted in NAEP mathematics assessments prior to 1996 at the national level. Although the estimates (e.g., average scores or percentages) are shown as rounded numbers, the positions of the data points in the graphics are based on the unrounded numbers. Unrounded numbers were used for calculating the differences between the estimates, and for the statistical comparison test when the estimates were compared to each other. Not all apparent differences between estimates are statistically significant.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), various years, 1990–2022 Mathematics Assessments.