The average composite ACT score for Lawrence students was lower this year than last, though about 100 more students took the college entrance exam.

In the 2010-11 school year, a total of 462 Lawrence High and Free State students took the test and got an average score of 24 out of 36. Last year, 568 students scored an average of 23.2, according to data released Wednesday. Students at both schools scored higher than the state average in all four tested categories. The average score statewide is 21.9 (down from an even 22), and nationally it’s 21.1.

The ACT measures college readiness and is a component of college applications. The four areas tested are English, reading, math and science.

Eudora high schoolers scored an average of 22.9, a full point above the state average and a tenth of a point over the 2011 average composite score of 22.8, said Kristin Magette, communications director for the school.

Participation is up across Kansas; 81 percent of the class of 2012 took part compared with 79 percent in the previous year.