Number of high-school seniors who took the SAT in 1998-99:
1.2 million

Mean SAT scores of high-school seniors in 1998-99:
Combined - 1016
(Verbal: 505 / Math : 511)

Percentage of four-year colleges that currently require SAT tests:
83% -- a drop from 86% in 1997-98

SAT registration fee:
$23.50

Cost range for SAT preparation materials and courses:
$15 for test prep books; $500/hour for private tutors

Money spent on preparation in 1995-96:
average student spent $8 preparing
(47.8% of students spent no money; 12% spent an average of $400)

Range of time spent preparing for the SAT in 1995-96:
average student spent 11 hours studying
(44.8% of students spent 10 hours or less; 8.3% spent more than 60 hours)