ACT college exam scores for Cherokee County graduating seniors varied widely in data released last Wednesday.

The average score for the school district's Class of 2009 was 19 on a 36- point scale, down from 19.3 in 2008. The state average decreased slightly from 19.9 last year to 19.8 in 2009. There was no change in the national ACT average of 21.1.

The newly released ACT scores are from students who graduated in 2009, regardless of when they took the test during their high school careers.

The ACT consists of four tests in English, math, reading and science reasoning. Scores are reported in each of those areas as well as the overall score.

ACT considers a change of three-tenths of a point to be statistically significant. One-tenth of an ACT point is comparable to four points on the SAT.

Blacksburg High increased its ACT scores despite tripling the number of students taking the college admission exam. The average score for the 33 students taking the ACT was 18.5 in 2009, compared to 17.8 in 2008.

"We aren't happy with where we are on the ACT," Blacksburg High Principal Jim Touchberry said. "I'm pleased with the fact we tripled the number of students taking the ACT, and our scores still showed an increase."

Gaffney High had 125 students take the curriculum based ACT achievement exam this past year. The school's average score dropped from 19.3 last year to 19.1 in 2009.

Both the ACT and SAT are accepted by most college admissions offices nationally.

Students perform better on the college admission tests when they take the recommended core academic courses and take preparation courses in advance, Gaffney High Principal Marlene Davis said.

"We are getting to where the rigor of our courses and expectations for students are a lot stronger," Davis said. "We hope this will help our students do better in the future."