PORTLAND – Maine high school students did OK on the verbal section of this year’s SAT exam, but not so well on the math portion of the test.

According to the 2003 College Board results released Tuesday, Maine students had an average score of 503 on the verbal section of the test. The national average was 507.

The average math score for Maine students was 501, which was one point lower than last year and 18 points lower than the national average.

Participation in Maine has increased steadily over the past 10 years, with 70 percent of college-bound students taking the test this year, higher than the national average of 48 percent.

The Maine results also showed that higher scores were achieved by students in families with higher incomes, with the highest scores among students in families with incomes of more than $100,000.

Students with parents with advanced degrees scored higher than those with parents with less education, the report said.

The report further said that students who use a calculator almost every day averaged 518 on the verbal test and 522 on the math test. Those who use a calculator once or twice a week or less scored 484 on the verbal section and 474 in math.

Students from religiously affiliated high schools in Maine scored 540 on the verbal test and 533 on the math exam.

Students from independent schools scored 512 on the verbal test and 516 on the math test. Public high school students scored 501 on the verbal portion and 499 in math.