Average Scores
Overall Score Results
Lower average U.S. history score for eighth-graders than in 2018
The average U.S. history score for eighth-grade students in 2022 was 5 points lower than in 2018, the previous assessment year. The 2022 average score was not significantly different compared to the first U.S. history assessment in 1994. Average scores are reported on the NAEP U.S. history scale, which ranges from 0 to 500.
The chart below shows the trend in average U.S. history scores beginning in 1994 and the cut score indicating the lower end of the score range for each NAEP achievement level: NAEP Basic, NAEP Proficient, and NAEP Advanced. Read a description of each NAEP achievement level by clicking the question mark icons. Read more about NAEP achievement levels and how they are set. Please note, NAEP achievement levels are to be used on a trial basis and should be interpreted and used with caution.
Figure Trend in eighth-grade NAEP U.S. history average scores
Scores By Percentile
Lower U.S. history scores at all selected percentiles except at the 90th percentile compared to 2018
NAEP reports scores at five selected percentiles to show changes over time in the scores for lower- (10th and 25th percentiles), middle- (50th percentile), and higher- (75th and 90th percentiles) performing students. Compared to 2018, the 2022 U.S. history scores were lower for eighth-grade students at the 10th, 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles; the score for the highest-performing students at the 90th percentile was not significantly different from 2018.
In 2022, the magnitude of score declines since 2018 for lower-performing students at the 10th and 25th percentiles (7 and 6 points, respectively) were greater than the decline for higher-performing students at the 75th percentile (3 points).