For the third year in a row, Tennessee students taking the American College Test averaged 20.7 of a perfect score of 36 – lower than the national 21.2 average. Results for the test, which determines college readiness, for individual schools and districts will not be available until November. According to the ACT’s high school profile report, students who meet test benchmarks have a better shot of passing core college-level courses. The ACT is the test of choice in Tennessee and several other states, while the SAT is the other widely known college entrance exam. Results show the majority of the state’s 50,000 test takers will not be ready for algebra or biology. Despite English scores above the national average, only 18 percent of students will be ready in the four subjects covered by the test – reading, math, English and science.