Minnesota's Collective ACT Scores Are Tops In The U.S.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota hangs on to its top spot for student scores on the ACT college entrance exam in states where nearly all high school seniors take the test.

According to test results released Wednesday, Minnesota students had a composite score of 21.4 out of a possible 36. It's about the same as last year's state average when students scored 21.3. The national average is 20.7.

The Star Tribune says about 95% of Minnesota's graduating seniors took the test. It measures their readiness for college in English, math, reading and science.

Minnesota students outperformed their peers in neighboring states with similar levels of test participation; the average score in Wisconsin was 20.3, and North Dakota was 19.9.