The rise in Illinois students’ SAT scores should not be overstated, said one NIU testing expert.

Recently released Illinois Student Aptitude Test verbal score averages increased from 462 to 466 and math scores increased from 520 to 528.

The national averages for the SAT test were 422 verbal and 476 math. A perfect score in either section is 800.

“I think if we see changes of one or two points I wouldn’t make a fuss about it,” Director of Testing Services Norman Gilbert said. A change that small is not “practically significant.”

If the scores go up or down consistently over a longer period of time, that trend “may be signalling something about which we ought to be concerned.” Gilbert said.

Even if the scores were to decline for a decade or more the numbers alone may not correctly reflect an educational problem, said Gilbert.

The distribution of scores could also indicate changes in the student population even if the averages stay the same, Gilbert said. Student scores can be grouped heavily at the middle or at both extremes without affecting the average score.

NIU primarily uses the American College Test instead of the SAT in its admissions evaluation. The ACT averages are due to be released in a few weeks, said Gilbert.

NIU will consider SAT scores only if an applicant comes from areas such as the East Coast where the SAT is the main test for college admissions, Gilbert said.

Gilbert said the Admissions Office uses test scores along with many other factors when reviewing student applicants.