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Standardized test scores for high school juniors dipped last year, according to information released by the Office of Public Instruction.

Last spring was the fourth year that all Montana juniors have taken the ACT, a college-readiness standardized test, and it was the second year the test will be used to meet federal testing requirements for high schoolers.

Montana students averaged a score of 19.7, down from 20.0 last year. Scores are given on a 36-point scale.

Scores dipped across the board in reading, English, science and math. Writing scores for 2016-2017 were not reported.

ACT scores for Capital High School students went up slightly from 20.8 to 20.9. Scores at Helena High dipped from 20.9 to 20.6.

At least one of Montana's neighbors that also tests all juniors reported a drop; Wyoming's average score decreased from 20 last year to 19.7 this year.

Nationally, ACT scores were reported by graduating class, which isn't comparable to scores for juniors. The graduating class scores were not reported at a district or school level.