When is there the biggest curve? Which month of junior year should I take it in?
2006-08-06 05:47:22 · 5 answers · asked by JZ 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
OK, what do you mean by a curve? It's a standardized test, so by definition, it *is* scored on a curve. That is, when you look at all the scores of all the students who took the test on the same day, they will will adjust your raw score so that everybody's scaled scores form a bell shaped curve. For a given section, at either end a few people will score 200 or 800 and the majority of people will score in the middle around 500.
Your scores are compared against everyone who takes the test at the same time and you will be assigned a percentile. If you score at the 50th %tile, that means half the people did better than you and half did worse. If you score at the 90th %tile, then only 10% of the people who took it with you scored higher than you did.
Not sure if you are asking whether some tests are scored more easily than others... if so, the answer is no. Again, because it is standardized, every test has the same general degree of difficulty and the same general range of scores (most people getting around 500 per section). If the scores were varying wildly depending on when people took the test, it wouldn't be standardized. The numbers wouldn't mean anything and the test would no longer be valid because you couldn't compare kids from different test dates.
As far as timing, usually people take the PSAT in Oct of Jr year then the SAT in Jan or March. If you need to you that lets you retake the SAT in May or June. If you really aren't happy w/your score (or if you skip the winter test & start w/the spring one), sometimes you can try one more time in Oct of Sr year and still make the deadline for applications.
2006-08-06 14:43:25 · answer #1 · answered by lechemomma 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No curve on your score, but your percentile ranking is rated via a curve. Take the test early, so you can take it again if you are not happy with the results. Your score should improve the second time around.
2006-08-06 12:51:44 · answer #2 · answered by Greg 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dunno. I remember when I took the SAT, I was soooo stoned. Had to explain to the counselor why I goofed so badly. No curve, I kept those embarrassing scores, and had to explain it at each college.
2006-08-06 12:53:23 · answer #3 · answered by Sick Puppy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no curve on the SATs. if you need a curve you are sooooo scrwed. haha
2006-08-06 13:01:30 · answer #4 · answered by Dee Dee Dee 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
no
2006-08-06 12:55:00 · answer #5 · answered by puma 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋