Can anyone explain the scoring for the Mar 2016 SAT??

Test Preparation
1

Here is what I think is true:

1 Each SAT score is a curved score
2 The curve is effectively based on the scores of each individual sitting date (i.e. each sitting date has its own curve)
3 The first testing date for the Revised SAT is in March 2016

With that established, I read the following on a test prep company’s blog (Compass Education Group):

“The March 2016 SAT scores cannot be finalized until the College Board has an opportunity to evaluate the data from the May 2016 test date”
http://www.compassprep.com/college_board_forum_update_2_20_2015/

My two questions:

  1. Does the above passage mean that the curve for the March 2016 test will effectively be a curve of the combined March + May test results?
  2. If the answer to #1 is yes, does this likely mean the May test takers will be advantaged over the March test takers as the May group will likely get some level of coaching advantage from experience derived from the March test?
2

I believe that information is wrong. When the 2005 revised test debuted, scores were not delayed for months, and I don’t see any reason that should happen this time around.

3

No, it’s true. The March results won’t come out until the May results come out. http://www.forbes.com/sites/noodleeducation/2015/04/20/3-reasons-you-shouldnt-take-the-new-sat/

  1. Yes
  2. Why would they have an advantage? The May group won't see the test or the scores until after they take it since it's combined. It's not like they can study off the March SAT.
4

Wow, crazy. So March test-takers will have no way to decide whether or not they should also take the May test. Crazy.

5

All the more reason why students in the HS class of 2017 should take the current version of the SAT (offered Oct., Nov., Dec. and Jan.) or take the ACT.

6

dsi411, I had assumed that there could be some “leakage” of information/experience from the March sitting (e.g., Khan prep is really helpful, Khan prep is not helpful, etc.) that test prep firms would use to better prepare kids for the May test.

7

I’m bumping this to see if there are any new perspectives on this now that we are closer to the start of the revised SAT