<p>On the PSAT, for example, there are some states in which you would only need a 212 to qualify for National Merit.</p>
<p>And there are others in which you need around a 225. </p>
<p>Further, some states have higher SAT/ACT scores than others.</p>
<p>Why is that? How can we explain such a phenomenon?</p>
<p>Some states have better educational systems than other states.</p>
<p>West Virginia vs California</p>
<p>The percentage of students who take the test varies from state to state. The socio-economic status of families, which often translates into quality of education received, varies a lot from state to state. In some states there is a culture of more test prep, even for the PSAT. </p>
<p>And some states do invest more in education; I grew up in a state that was industrial. You could get a good job with just a high school degree or less when I was growing up. The state did not invest a lot in the public education system. The economy is poor there now, partly due to a less educated population in an overall worldwide economy where education is becoming more valuable. They are one of the states with mediocre test scores, which is no surprise to me.</p>
<p>The fact that the East coast has a better educational system than the south. Another factor may be that some states require statewide testing so their averages are brought down compared to the states that only college bound students take the test. There are many reasons</p>
<p>I wonder why East coast schools would be better than southern schools?</p>