During a recent book tour event in Atlanta, California Governor Gavin Newsom attempted to connect with his audience by discussing his less-than-stellar standardized test scores. He claimed he “can’t read speeches,” emphasizing his relatability. “I’m not here to impress you,” he told Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “I’m just like you. I’m nothing special, just the guy who scored 960 on the SAT.”
He humorously added, “I’m just being upfront here; I get excited when I score 940.” In the 1980s, the average SAT score was approximately 900, and a more recent study indicates the average score on contemporary recentered tests is about 1010. “Honestly, I’m a 960 kind of guy. I can’t read. You’ve probably never seen me read a speech because I struggle with it,” he confessed.
Newsom continued by sharing that he lives with dyslexia, a condition affecting how he processes written words. “I haven’t outgrown my dyslexia. I’m still dealing with it,” he remarked. He recalled hiding in the back of the classroom, hoping the teacher wouldn’t call on him.
As he spoke, Newsom touched upon various personal experiences, mentioning “doctors’ reports” and the significant challenges he faced. “I had no clue what was happening during those after-school visits, and my mom was angry when she learned that I had, well, dyslexia,” he said, noting her desire for him not to feel limited or use it as an excuse.
