More New York City students took the College Board's SAT exams last year, and they received higher scores, Department of Education officials said on Wednesday.

Average scores in math, reading and writing improved for city students. Local scores still trailed national averages but city students made gains as national scores dropped slightly. 

Phil Weinberg, a deputy chancellor for the city schools, called the trend a huge success, giving credit to both teachers and higher learning standards.

"The result is that students start to be better thinkers and perform better on a test like this one, which is important," he said, "but more importantly, becoming better prepared to be good citizens, good thinkers, successful college students."

Education officials said 48,678 high school seniors took the test last year, up from 47,950 the year before. On average, seniors last year scored a 466 on math; a 444 on reading; and a 439 on the writing portion. 

The College Board in 2014 announced changes to the SAT, due to show up on next year's test.

New York City education officials also said more students were taking and passing Advanced Placement exams, including black and Latino students.

In September, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans to expand access to AP courses to all high school students. Low-income students and students of color took fewer AP courses than their peers. Nearly 40,000 high school students are enrolled in schools that do not offer any AP courses.