<p>So, I'm a pretty good test taker. Good, not great. I got a 214 and a 208 on the PSAT, and around the same region on practice SAT's I've taken. I have the College Board official book (the big blue one), and after completing my first practice, I was amazed to see that even though I got a set number wrong, there was a range of 100 points (i.e. I got a 64 raw score, but my scaled score could be anywhere from 670-770). So basically, I could do exactly the same on two examinations, but get two radically different scores!</p>
<p>The problem is that my parents are not very understanding people. They are "requiring" me to get a 2300 in order to get a nice car. Now hear me out- I'm not trying to be materialistic or anything, but I need that car. Originally the deal was a 2200, which is more realistic, but a 2300, I feel, is unfair because not only would I have to get a lot of questions right, but I would also be subjected to a curve!</p>
<p>In physics, my parents would never "force" me to get an A because they know the curve is crazy! So how can I explain that the SAT is the same way!</p>
<p>Keep trying the other SATs. I find that your score has to “stablize” out before you can figure out what you’re going to get. There’s around eight tests in there. Before stressing about what your parents said, just try to figure what your stablized score is. Anyways, you DON’T need 2300. I think your parents might give in if you do well enough. Either way, they’re gonna be proud of you. I hope.</p>
<p>The scale ranges for the BB are a bit harsh (for instance, ONLY a 67 is an 800, whereas in most administered SAT’s a 65 is also an 800, and sometimes so too is a 64). However, I’ve heard people on CC stress that BB passages are easier than actual SAT passages. Therefore, it kind of balances out, in my mind, and so I take the median of the scaled scores. If you got a 64 on the real SAT, that may well turn out to be an 800. However, since you’re not taking an SAT, but rather a BB SAT for which 64 is a 720, you should score it as such. </p>
<p>Personally, I use that scale for all official practice SAT’s that I take, including previous editions of the BB’s tests, many of which I have in pdf format. I have also noticed that the BB scale is generous for Writing. 12 Essay and NINE questions answered incorrectly results in a 720, which seems very inflated to me, considering I completely bombed the “identifying sentence errors” part. (I got like half of them right, lmao.)</p>
<p>Soooo. . . if your parents aren’t too bright, calculate your scores using the upper bounds of the scale ranges. </p>
<p>However, I want to stress that the curve does <em>not</em> make one test administration easier than another for the average test taker. The curve is designed to make a 600M in 2005 mean the same as one in 2008. However, the “average test taker” is nobody. For some (most people on CC), a lenient curve (and hard questions) is easier, because “hard questions,” those which the majority of test takers will answer incorrectly (thereby softening the curve), can often be the easiest ones to answer, since they are what most prep books emphasize. </p>
<p>Basically, with the right words you can manipulate anything to suit your needs :D</p>
<p>If you have access to previous SAT exams (sorry, I dont have mine anymore), they have the actual curves for each test; mostly they’re very consistent, and a much better indicator than the 120 point range the blue book gives. Use those and show your parents just how good you would have to do for a 2300. And you may be surprised - it might be easier than you are imagining.</p>
<p>Those curves are for those tests, though. The College Board created both the BB tests and the actual SAT’s and their corresponding scales, therefore, since the BB scales are harsher, the BB questions are easier.</p>
<p>However, if your goal is to BS your parents, then go for it</p>
<p>My son took a total of eight tests from BB in December’06, and got an average raw score of 65 in CR, 53 in Math, and 48 in writing MC. He took his first high school SAT in January’07 as a junior. He scored 62, 54, and 47 respectively. According to him, some questions in BB can be harder than the actual SAT, but also the other way around. </p>
<p>His SAT conversion Table is given below (from the question-and-answer booklet we bought after the test from CB)</p>
<pre><code> Raw score Scaled score
</code></pre>
<p>CR 64 800
63 780
62 760</p>
<p>Math 54 800
53 780</p>
<p>Writing 49 80 ( 800 with 9 in essay)
48 78 ( 800 with 11 in essay)
47 75 ( 800 with 12 in essay, and 780 with 11 in essay) </p>
<p>Your 64 raw score is fantastic; if you take all the tests from BB, take SAT lesson from [url=<a href=“http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/newsat/]SAT:”>http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/newsat/]SAT:</a> Improve SAT score with SparkNotes Test Prep: Assess skills online<a href=“my%20son%20took%20this%20before%20January’08%20SAT”>/url</a>, and have a good vocabulary, you will definitely get 750 + in CR.
What are your math and writing raw scores?</p>
<p>Have you considered taking the ACT? My son thought it was easier than the SAT.</p>
<p>lmao my parents are doing the same thing to me except they said if I get over 2200; however, I am convinced I can get over 2300. I just took the Jan 08 SAT and I’m fairly confident about my scores. Plus the curves that Navidad provided for the CR is hopefully the same as Jan. All I can say is good luck with getting that car and if you don’t get the 2300 the first time you can always take it again and superscore it ;P.</p>
<p>Well, I can’t really “bs” them, considering I have to perform on the actual administered SAT, not a practice. But I’m working pretty hard and hopefully I’ll get there! Thanks for reassuring me…</p>
<p>Unless your parents are forcing you to go to Harvard, I don’t think it’s reasonable to get a 2300. I got a 217 on the PSAT and I just took the SAT on the 26th and I can tell you there’s no way I can get to the 2300 anytime soon. I still have another year and I’m not wasting my life on the SAT again.</p>
<p>However, you should be able to get at least 2200 with enough practice, so maybe cut out a deal with your parents for 2200 or even 2250. 2300 is pushing it a lot and you may or may not reach that goal.</p>
<p>wow that kinda sucks, i mean i know my parents wouldnt do that on me, cause they know im tryin my best and im doing everything for myself and for my own advancing in life, but if you are gonna get a good score just for them and to get that car then its not even worth doing it. If your main goal is to get a 2300 so your parents will give you a car and make them happy then you need to get some more motivation. lol</p>
<p>but yea 2300’s kinda hard just take a buncha tests ull get it</p>
<p>I thought the Blue Book IS a compilation of previously administered tests?
If it’s not, where can you can get those? From friends who have recently taken a SAT and order a test booklet?</p>