<p>The other sections frequently allow a small margin of error (i.e. -2 CR = 800, -2 W w/ 12 essay = 800). I don't really understand why a few misinterpretations or grammatical errors go unpunished but a single (often careless) error in math practically ensures a score of less than 800. I feel like a one-question buffer to compensate for mechanical errors would be perfectly fair.</p>
<p>i agree 100%. on the january test, i got two answers wrong (just careless mistakes) and got a 740 ■■■</p>
<p>It’s based on averages/curves. This means that there are more people out there who get perfect math. It would not be fair to these people if you got the same score as them.</p>
<p>I don’t think so because it is based on curves so percentage wise, the amount of students who receive a Math 800 is about the same as the amount of CR and W 800’s. However, the curves can be very harsh (I omitted 1 question and got a 760 ■■■). Also, it’s not like the math is hard, you just need to avoid careless mistakes. The CR and W sections are definitely harder in material and harder to prepare for. Math is very straightforward and predictable.</p>
<p>they make the curve before the test… so there is a possibility. If I were to guess it would go:
800
790
770
750</p>
<p>They make the curve after enough of the test results are graded for them to make a statistical estimate of the curve. This is so that each test is roughly the same ‘difficulty.’</p>
<p>no they don’t… they make the curves before the test is issued.</p>
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Why do they make the curve before the test is issued? And how do you even know when the curve is made? I thought the curve was based on how well everyone taking the test did on that particular test…</p>
<p>if somebody confirms for me that would be great, but yeah, ETS makes the curve before the test is issued–even if everybody fails, the curve still remains.</p>
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<p>Yeah, my bad. I think they do make the curve before the test is issued to make sure the different versions are equal.
It’s hinted here if anyone wants to read it: <a href=“http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/pdf/rn14_11427.pdf[/url]”>http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/pdf/rn14_11427.pdf</a></p>
<p>^No, the curve is not made before the test is administered. As mentioned in the reference you gave, when a new form (a new version of the SAT) is administered, student performance on old tests and the current new test is compared by using identical test sections (these are the equating / ungraded sections). This can’t be done until the test is actually administered. Some SATs were previously administered; for these, the curve is known ahead of time.</p>
<p>The curve depends only on the difficulty of the scored sections of the new test, not on the performance of those taking it.</p>
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<p>So technically at least part of the curve it made before the exam being administered. :P</p>
<p>Haha I guess I didn’t bother to read it too carefully.</p>
<p>I am pretty sure the curve is made before and it is based on the difficulty level assigned to the questions. I am sure if only 1 person got every math problem right that he would be the only one who got an 800.</p>
<p>@Caruso, that happening is not possible in real life though. </p>
<p>I think that they make it after the test because how could they guess how hard the test will be without screening students? If they had the ability to determine beforehand the difficulty of a test, they would make every test just as hard, thus eliminating the need for a curve.</p>
<p>You may be right, and they do like to keep a good bell curve, but I would imagine they make it before, because they usually take questions from experimentals and previous tests from years ago.</p>
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There are experimental sections in every SAT.</p>
<p>The difficulty of each question is known quite well before it appears on a test, since each question on the SAT is tested for difficulty and appropriateness when it appears in an ungraded (equating) section. (For example, questions that are too hard or too easy are “inappropriate”.) Every question goes through this process.</p>
<p>But the difficulty of the entirety of a test form is unknown until it is administered. How items are arranged, exactly what topics are covered, etc. can affect the difficulty of the test as a whole.</p>
<p>1 wrong = 740 seems pretty severe</p>
<p>I agree with the OP.</p>