<p>i am going to take mine in October but i heard October SAT Scores are the lowest because that is when a lot of seniors take it and the curve is lowest for October. i know a lot of will you think that the curve is random for each test but a friend of mine told me that there are certain times to take the SAT for best results.</p>
<p>The SAT itself are no different and completely random what I hear. Perhaps there is some truth in saying all the seniors take it in October; however, you should take that with a grain of salt. You could also retort with an equally true statement that the seniors retaking in October are often ones who either scramble for college (procrastinated and convinced themselves to retake it) or ones who want to retake it as a last chance for a high score. To me, I believe they even out somewhat...but if you are 2010+ then it shouldn't matter, should it?</p>
<p>Lol, I really don't think ti matters. The test has been so standardized and stuff...though I suppose one could argue that all the people who did summer prep are going to take it during october?</p>
<p>my friend saw the list of scores for which month had lowest score and he said october was one of if not the lowest.</p>
<p>Ask your friend to show you the list of scores, or at least their source so you can see them yourself.</p>
<p>If I believed everything my friends told me...</p>
<p>Wait. i just realized something. I don't think that the SAT "curve" is based on other test-takers. I think it's based on findings from a couple years ago when the experimental section came up. This makes sense to me, so I'm ready to completely dismiss this rumor.</p>
<p>"i know a lot of will you think that the curve is random for each test but a friend of mine told me that there are certain times to take the SAT for best results" </p>
<p>Your friend's a genius. However, he's not really letting you in on the secret. It doesn't matter what date you take the SATs, but what TIME. If you take the test an hour after it is initiated, they give you an extra 2 hours to make up. It doesn't really make sense, i know, but trust me on this one. I showed up 3 hours late on my last SAT exam and they allowed me to take it for 3 extra months, its ridiculous. Don't tell your other friends this, or we're going to have to hunt you down. Seriously.</p>
<p>^^^^^ ya he's right, that happened to me too</p>
<p>IMO, the best time is when alot of others take it. That way, the curve stays standard, and doesn't change too much. Occasionally, the test-makers make a lowsy question, but that's a factor beyond control. </p>
<p>If you take it in a less active time, such as March (maybe. idk) the pool will be smaller, but it's possible lots of smart kids are in that group, and the curve might get boosted or damaged. </p>
<p>That's my theory at least.</p>
<p>^ I believe it equalizes somewhat throughout. Plus, relying on a curve to boost your score is rather blind; just study.</p>
<p>Well, how big of a difference can having a good curve make? 20 pts? 50 pts?</p>
<p>^ This is true. However, I'm saying that since you'll never know, time spent on studying would benefit much more than trying to solve "When to take the SAT for the best curve" quandary.</p>
<p>No, i was just asking how big of a difference taking it at a good time can make. 20 pts/50 pts were just guesses.</p>
<p>well, on the march sat the math section had the worst curve. -2 = 60 points lost. the same -2 on another testing would be a 760 or so.</p>
<p>The curve does not depend on who is taking the test. There also isn't any obvious pattern by date for curves. Most tests fall within a narrow range, for example, 2 wrong in math will almost always get you 750-770. Even if you are psychologically affected by the difficulty of the test (i.e., you get overconfident and sloppy on easier tests and panicked on harder tests), you're better off not worrying about which test date is best.</p>
<p>So far nobody has addressed my theory.</p>
<p>Quoted from above:</p>
<p>"Wait. i just realized something. I don't think that the SAT "curve" is based on other test-takers. I think it's based on findings from a couple years ago when the experimental section came up. This makes sense to me, so I'm ready to completely dismiss this rumor."</p>
<p>Is your theory that the curve doesn't depend on other test takers? This is true, the curve only adjusts for the difficulty of the test, not who is taking it (this also implies, for example, that the percentage of people an 800, say, is not chosen to be any particular or fixed number).</p>
<p>Any test date being "better" than another is BS. If October really did have a better curve, then word would spread pretty quickly (we're talking about high schoolers here), erasing any benefit of that curve. Besides, are you THAT desperate for 30 points? Why not spend that nervous energy on studying?</p>
<p>Of course he is desperate for an additional 30 points. He's on CC!</p>