"This year's class was the most diverse class on record with historic increases in the number of Hispanic, Black and Asian American students taking the test," Diverse Issues in Higher Education reports. "Minority students accounted for 40 percent of test-takers, and 36 percent were the first in their families to attend college. Nearly one in seven low-income students was eligible to take the test for free. The number of minority SAT takers has increased substantially over the last decade. Hispanics have expanded the most rapidly, more than doubling in number. Growth among Asian Americans and Blacks reached 61 percent and 52 percent, respectively. Female students continue to form a majority of test-takers among all ethnic groups. Female students made up 57 percent of Hispanic and 57 percent of Black SAT takers in 2008. Low-income students' participation has also remained steady. These students are increasingly taking advantage of the College Board's fee-waiver program, which granted $22 million in fee waivers and free services to qualifying students in 2008."