RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Virginia students continue to improve and exceed the national average on the ACT college admissions exam. The Virginia Department of Education reports that Virginia students scored an average of 22.6 on the test this year. That tops last year’s score of 22.4 and is well above the national average of 21. Virginia students improved and beat the national average in math, reading and science. Virginia’s English score remained at 22 but also was above the national average. ACT results are reported on a scale of 1 to 36. Officials say 26 Virginia students achieved a perfect score. The number of graduating Virginia public school seniors taking the ACT increased more than 4 percent to 19,491. The SAT remains the dominant college admissions test in the state.
