<p>People keep telling me about the SAT curve and how the October test is harder because the last seniors are taking it?</p>
<p>Is there a dramatic difference (>20-30 point) between the test dates?
Does the curve really matter?</p>
<p>
<p>All editions of the SAT are developed using the same test specifications. Even if there are tiny differences in difficulty from test to test, a statistical process called "equating" ensures that a score for a test taken on one date or at one place is equivalent to a score for a test taken on another date or in another place. The rumors that the SAT in one month, say in October, is easier, are false.
</p>
<p>here you go.</p>
<p>yea I have the same concern. Most of the senior friends I know really do well on their last(3rd) attempt. One friend got 2160, 2170, 2350. Usually for seniors, they Oct is their last attempt before early decision. They have the whole summer to prepare(this could be good or bad) so they're usually more prepared. Despite what Collegeboard and others will say... I still get the feeling that people do better. I am not too sure what do you guys think?</p>
<p>they did better because they studied and prepared all summer and plus they're more familiar with the SAT on the third try. NOT because its easier on oct..</p>
<p>The curve is predetermined, so the scores of others will not affect your score</p>
<p>October tests for 2005, 2006 have been more forgiving on # of errors
---> scaled score than March in those test years from the QAS and
sample test scales I have seen for CR; There seem to be multiple
administration of tests with different scales in the same month ....so
I am not sure which administration of the test gives the best score in
October for Math....</p>
<p>Writing seems to have had the best curve in January and a closely
comparable curve in October.</p>
<p>If I were to do everything again, I would
take the SAT I in October of Junior year, repeat if required in January/June
and/or October of the senior year.</p>
<p>March is brutal in all 3 sections. This seems counter intuitive but seems somewhat factual
for 2005 and 2006.</p>