A record-number of students took the SAT this year, and the increase reflects on this year’s average scores, which showed no improvement over last year and were the lowest in nearly a decade.

The number of SAT takers for 2008 rose to more than 1.5 million, posting a record number of test-takers for any given year, the College Board announced Tuesday. The test saw an 8 percent increase from five years ago and a 29.5 percent increase from 10 years ago.

This year’s class was the most diverse class on record with historic increases in the number of Hispanic, Black and Asian American students taking the test, College Board officials said. Minority students accounted for 40 percent of test-takers, and 36 percent were the first in their families to attend college. Nearly one in seven low-income students was eligible to take the test for free.

Scores on the college entrance exam fell to their lowest level since the late 1990s last year. This year’s average scores saw no improvement. In fact, they mirrored those of last year.

“In 2008, SAT scores are stable compared to last year. This is significant because when more students take a test, average scores tend to dip slightly,” says Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board.

The class of 2008 scored an average 515 out of a possible 1000 on the math section, holding steady with last year’s scores. The average score for the critical reading section was 502.

Average scores on the writing portion of the SAT experienced a three-point drop, falling from 497 to 494. Added to the entrance exam in 2006, the writing section is said to be the most predictive section of college success for students of all races, according to College Board officials.

Recent reports show that the SAT is losing market share as a college admissions test. Data released by the College Board, the exam’s owner, indicate that a declining percentage of students are taking the exam. In the high school class of 2008, 46 percent of graduating seniors had taken the SAT even once. Three years ago, the last class before a longer and more expensive version of the test was introduced, 47.5 percent of graduates had taken the SAT.