Music students continue to outperform their non-arts peers on the SAT, according to the 1998 "Profiles of SAT and Achievement Test Takers" from The College Board.

Students with coursework in music study/appreciation scored 60 points higher on the verbal portion of the test and 41 points higher on the math portion than students with no coursework or experience in the arts.

Students in music performance scored 52 points higher on the verbal portion and 36 points higher on the math portion than students with no arts participation.


Mean SAT Scores for Students with Coursework or Experience in Music

1998
Music: Study or Appreciation
Verbal: 537
Math: 535

Music Performance
Verbal: 529
Math: 530

No Coursework or Experience
Verbal: 477
Math: 494