2 years ago... Did the PSAT changed or did I actually got dumber?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>I first took the PSAT in Sophomore year. I didn't know what to expect. I did a couple problems in the practice book and that was it. On the day of the test, I got sick-ish (really just my nose running) so I had to get up multiple time for the Klenex. I finish the test. The scores came back and I got 48 on CR, 53 on Math, and 45 on writing. Everyone thought I did pretty good for a first time.</p>

<p>Then came junior year my most successful year in completely turning around my GPA. Same thing was about to happen. This time I studies more out of the book, and try to answer as many as I could. I took the test and this time I feel really well. But I got worse. I got a 47 on C.R, 44 on Math (o.O my best subject??) and a 44 on writing. I was stumped. I was expecting like closer to 60 point since they said most scores went up after the first time. </p>

<p>I was wondering what I could had done wrong. I thought I didn't study right... until I look at the score reports and compare them. The test did changed. 2010 PSAT Math had 9 hard problems. 2011 PSAT had 13 hard problems. Out of both, I only got one hard problem right and that was on the 2010 PSAT. I mean they had the same amount of easy problems and less medium problems. But on the 2010 one I gotten more medium problems right then the 2011 one. Is there a different test that Sophomores and Juniors take??</p>

<p>Sorry for the rant. I'm looking back at the school year and how the SAT/ACT disappoint me with their math scores compared to other testings.</p>

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<p>Nope. Juniors and sophomores take the same tests. Since the number of hard, medium, and easy questions varies, the scores are curved. So on a test that is generally easy, one wrong in math might be 5 points off, whereas on a tougher one, one wrong might be 2 points off.
That’s how they keep the scoring fair from test to test.</p>

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<p>Ah, So when they added more hard problems to math, I miss more of those, causing my score to drop a whopping 9 points…</p>

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<p>Considering the title says “or did I actually got dumber?”, my answer is yes.</p>

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<p>Thank you for your kind words on my grammar error caused by thus stupid tablet keyboard.</p>

<p>Sent from my LG-VM696 using CC</p>

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<p>^^^^</p>

<p>Presumably, though, the ‘e’ and the ‘o’ keys are still pretty far apart from each other … ? ;)</p>

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<p>trololololo</p>

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<p>Niquii, you deserve some cookies! </p>

<p>Descuff is not dumb. Everyone else just became smarter. :wink:
Before dfree and iluv chime in, I would like to commend Descuff on the bravery it must have taken to create this thread. Combined with that unfortunate title, this post would make a ■■■■■ of a chance-me thread. :)</p>

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<p>You didn’t get dumber, you should say you didn’t get smarter. When you look at the score report, it gives you the range of scores (kind of like the level range) that your score falls under. It’s an 8 point range. This means that you probably will get a score from that range if you were to take a different test again (without any extra studying). Your score may be in the higher end of the range if you happen to be lucky to get problems that you are good at.</p>

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<p>how2besmarterer starring Descuff</p>

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<p>I was casually lurking around till I saw this - thanks for the shout-out JM!</p>

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<p>+10 to you good sir</p>

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<p>Smarterest. :)</p>

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<p>Aw guys, be nice :P</p>

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<p>Surprised that you got a 45 in writing.</p>

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<p>gotta love these threads :D</p>

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<p>Yup they are far apart but I was using the kindle fire which have like smart text which guess the next word and I used “got” recently so it input that in. Is that so hard for people to understand?</p>

<p>Sent from my LG-VM696 using CC</p>