This year, however, the ACT also examined test scores to look at skills students will need for first-year math, science and English courses in college.

Researchers concluded that just 26 percent of test-takers were ready to handle the coursework in science and 40 percent in math. In English, 67 percent of students were prepared. The ACT said students who take more and tougher math and science courses in high school tend to score better on the exam.

"We've heard a lot of talk recently about the inadequacy of students' writing skills. However, it appears that the more critical problems are in science and math," Ferguson said.

Readiness for college science and math coursework was particularly low among African American students. Only 5 percent of African American test-takers scored at or above the college-readiness benchmark for college biology, and just 10 percent attained the readiness benchmark for college algebra.

Ferguson said Black students were less likely than others to take tough, college-prep courses and "often don't receive the information and guidance they need to properly plan for college."

SAT officials, however, reported that the average score on the math section has increased 19 points for females during the past decade and 13 points for males. Overall math scores are up 16 points compared to 1993. They attribute the increases for math scores to an increased percentage of SAT takers enrolled in advanced math and science course work, such as chemistry, physics, precalculus and calculus. The percentage of students taking precalculus, for example, has increased by 12 percentage points over the past decade. First-generation college students who took calculus in high school had an average SAT verbal score of 526 and a math score of 570, 19 and 51 points above the national average, respectively.

— Associated Press and news releases