Can I Trust My Diagnostic SAT?

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>Hey CC! Longtime lurker here needs advice. </p>

<p>Here's my situation:
I took a diagnostic SAT from TestMasters a while ago and thought it was pretty easy. I got my score report back today.</p>

<p>CR 660 [-6]
M 680 [-3]
W 590 (6 essay) [-6]
=1930</p>

<p>Not to sound cocky, but I was honestly expecting a better score. My PSAT from Oct 2009 was 225 (74/71/80) so I was pretty confident walking into the test. I'm not sure what to think now. The diagnostic test seemed to be legitimate (can I find full tests online?) though I can't confirm that. However, I have my doubts about the scoring. The report indicated I had missed one algebra problem, but according to the printout, all my math mistakes were in geometry. I was also pretty shocked at the essay grade because I'm considered one of the best writers of my graduating class. The curve also seems very harsh to me -- or is it just me?</p>

<p>Some insight? Thanks everyone.</p>

2

<p>M -3 is DEFINITELY harsh. Normally -3=720/730
CR I’d say is harsh too because my -9 was a 680
W I can’t say much because I’ve never seen an essay grade that low TBH (I usually get 8’s >.<) but that’s odd that your essay was graded so harshly. Usually a decent level of coherence and organization gets you at least an 8.</p>

<p>Overall that test seems very harsh, although I don’t think that score (even with a 12 essay) would have been a 2250. I’d say approx 2150 with a 10 essay? I got a 2070 with only like 2-3 more questions wrong overall and an 8 essay.</p>

<p>Hopefully this helps :smiley:
<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools;

3

<p>^
Agreed with rainbowrose. Those curves seem abnormally harsh. You can check out a consolidated list of past SAT curves here:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/SAT-Released-Test-Curves.pdf[/url]”>http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/SAT-Released-Test-Curves.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The general consensus amongst CCers is that tests from the College Board’s Blue Book are the most accurate. </p>

<p>How to study for the SAT:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/955109-silverturtles-guide-sat-admissions-success.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/955109-silverturtles-guide-sat-admissions-success.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/68210-xiggis-sat-prep-advice.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>Doesn’t diagnostic test mean less questions, which would mean the same amount wrong as a regular test would be a lower score? I may be wrong but that is my explanation for the curve. </p>

<p>However, as far as the legitimacy of the test goes, I think you should buy the Blue Book and use those practice tests. Then you will know where you are in terms of the SAT.</p>

5

<p>^</p>

<p>I think the tests are of equal length. You might be thinking of the PSAT?</p>

6

<p>college board tests are more reliable</p>

7

<p>The Testmaster diagnostic tests may contain fewer than 54 math questions (I don’t know myself) but that could explain the completely different curve. Or, the people who made that test have determined that it is generally easier than a typical SAT.</p>

<p>More importantly, these non-CB test scores are educated guesses as to what you might score on the real thing. A much cheaper and more accurate diagnostic test is any of the first three Blue Book tests or any of the three old SATs available as downloads from the CB.</p>

8

<p>Thanks everybody for the help – I now strongly suspect they’re artificially deflating the scores. Just about everyone else in the class got horrendous essay grades as well. Fishy. The lists of past curves were particularly helpful, thanks again.</p>

<p>The number of questions and allotted time were the official standard so it must be the scoring method. I’ll be expecting a very generous curve on the exit test haha.</p>

9

<p>yeah… this is to avoid the guarentee…</p>