Nevertheless, some broad generalizations can be made. First, the general trend in achievement in mathematics is upward since the mid-1970s in some states and the early 1980s in others. Secondly, where sufficient data were available for each grade level, it was possible to note some patterns for the following broad mathematical topics. By grade 3, almost all scores are above the 80 percent level, with the mode above 90 percent. Even though items may test seemingly more difficult, multidigit content, proficiency with addition remains high across the grades.
Greater variability is evidenced in subtraction, especially at earlier grade levels.
By grades 8 and 9, however, most students have reached about the same level of proficiency with subtraction as they attained earlier with addition. Thus, division is of continuing difficulty for many students. Scores tend to improve in grades 10-12, but do not reach the high levels attained by almost all students in the other operations. The lower limit of scores at most grade levels is around 50 percent, while the upper limit is in or near the 90s. Most scores lie in a band between 75 and 85 percent only in grade 11.