Lawrence students bested state averages with the verbal portion of the SAT in 2004-05, but they fell below the state in math, according to score reports released Tuesday.

The district’s scores surpassed national averages.

The maximum possible score on the college entrance exam is 1600, or 800 in verbal and 800 in math.

At Free State High School, 93 students took the SAT. The school’s average in the verbal section was 603, compared to the state average of 585 and national average of 508. The school’s math average was 579, compared to 588 statewide, and 520 nationally.

“We always want to do better,” Free State Principal Joe Snyder said. “We think that staying above national and state averages is an important indicator that our students are doing well.”

At Lawrence High School, 68 students took the test. The verbal average of 584 was one point below the state average, but higher than the national average. The math scores of 586 were 2 points below the state average, but higher than the national figure.

“We want better numbers,” LHS Principal Steve Nilhas said.

Nilhas said the school needs to focus on students’ reading abilities. That is one way to better prepare students for both the SAT and the ACT, he said.