The Perfect Score, about six high school students who plot to steal the answers to the SAT, proves to be a veritable lesson in mediocrity. Though its premise is tempting, the film misses every chance to provide catharsis for disgruntled test-takers.

Director Brian Robbins, who’s helmed such gems as Good Burger and Ready to Rumble, seems to concentrate far more on details than on developing the movie in a broader scope.

For instance, the funky costumes are perfectly matched to the characters’ personalities, and the fun score is filled with sassy songs from Fefe Dobson. Robbins even casts a real college coach in the negligible role of the basketball recruiter for authenticity’s sake.

But details aside, Robbins fails to tie the movie together in a satisfying way. Screenwriters Mark Schwahn, Marc Hyman and Jon Zack meet a similar fate and waste their energies creating cute meanings for SAT (“Such A Tease,” “Septic And Toilets” and “Suck Ass Test”) instead of actually developing the characters. None of the characters establish any sort of chemistry with each other or leave any lasting mark on the audience.

The mostly bland cast is, of course, partially to blame. Erika Christensen and Scarlett Johansson make the best of their cardboard characters, substituting energy for what their castmates lack in talent. Christensen, who followed up her appearance in the acclaimed Traffic with The Banger Sisters and Swimfan, adds The Perfect Score to her growing list of less-than-stellar credits.

Johansson, on the other hand, is undoubtedly regretting this release after receiving two Golden Globe nominations. However, she escapes the risk of a permanent blemish on her budding reputation because The Perfect Score is just that forgettable.

Main men Chris Evans and Bryan Greenberg create a pleasant-looking backdrop as long as they’re not speaking, and perpetually stoned Leonardo Nam provides the movie’s few good laughs. But Matthew Lillard, in his very minor role as a deadbeat older brother, manages to outshine every other male actor in the film.

Meanwhile, the most unfortunate casting decision involves NBA star Darius Miles in his role as the school’s star athlete. True to life or not, Miles’ stilted delivery and emotionless stares make his character the least believable.

The Perfect Score does, however, have some important things in common with the SAT: Both are hard to sit through. Both leave you feeling dumb by the end.

At least The Perfect Score only takes 90 minutes.