<p>Word on the street is that Duke takes the average of your reading and writing scores and adds it to your math score. For example, if someone had a 600 on reading, 700 on writing, (650 average) and 800 on math, they would have a 1450/1600. (650 + 800)</p>
<p>Is there any truth to this??</p>
<p>It’s possible that Duke does that, and even other places do it too, but there is really no proof towards any specific method. At least I cannot find any.</p>
<p>I’ve never heard that anywhere. I don’t see why Duke would do that, as that would greatly favor the math section.</p>
<p>What I’ve heard is that Duke cares more about math and verbal than they do about writing. They consider writing like another SAT II - so, it’s still important, but not as significant as Math and Verbal. That is at least what occurred when the SAT first added the writing section a few years back, but it’s possible Duke has changed practice.</p>
<p>Also, it might be interesting to note that Duke assigns a score on “test scores” for each applicant based on a 1-6 scale. I don’t know the cutoff, but let’s say it’s 750+ on each section. A student who scored a 1500 (M+V) is seen as EXACTLY THE SAME as a student who scored a 1600. Once you get above a certain threshold, the look at other parts of the application to differentiate applicants. A “5” score might be given to 1400-1500 or something of that nature (of course, they also take SAT II and ACT scores into consideration; I’m not sure how it all plays out). But there’s definitely a point system used for the FIRST EVALUATION process (then put in automatic accept, reject, or more evaluation necessary piles), and one of the categories is test scores on a 1-6 scale.</p>
<p>Actually, a lot of school still consider CR+M the most important part of the SAT because they can use the essay to judge your writing skill. I think UChicago disregards it completely if I’m not mistaken.</p>
<p>The point system is only a labeling procedure. A 1600 is still looked at as a 1600, and a 1500 a 1500.</p>
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This is true. I think some colleges disregard the writing section because there’s isn’t enough data to use it as an indicator of success in college as there is for the Math and Critical Reading question</p>
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I agree. I haven’t heard of this being the procedure at Duke</p>
<p>After the SAT Writing section was used for the first time (?2005), an MIT professor did a study which showed that the longer the essay response, the better the grade. MIT then came out and said they would not consider the score in their admissions decisions, and many other schools followed suit. However, I’ve heard that some schools will use the Writing sample as a check against the essays submitted as part of the application, i.e. to compare writing styles, vocabulary, etc. so as to catch those who have ghostwritten essays.</p>
<p>@dd1993 : how would that favor the math part? The SAT favors english notice 2 parts english to one part math. That just makes it more even. It doesnt make sense that an english oriented student is smarter or better than a math oriented student. </p>
<p>I personally think that that is a better method, or the old SAT</p>
<p>^ you might be one of those “english oriented student[s]” then. </p>
<p>If the scores from the CR and W sections are averaged then added to the math score to reach a composite score with a max of 1600, then it stands to reason that CR and W really only counts for a quarter of the composite score each. Thus, -1 point on math = -1 of the composite score, but -1 on either CR or W would only = -0.5 of the composite score. Ergo, math count for about twice as much as CR or W under that hypothetical weighting system.</p>
<p>I scored a measly 640 in writing and got in; I doubt the Writing section is viewed at with much worth.</p>
<p>Does that mean that they just look at the ACT composite, or do they focus on the composite+math and crit reading? I hope they just look at my math and reading =)</p>
<p>Where did you hear this? And yes, I tend to agree the writing section is not looked at equally.</p>
<p>math and CR are prolly more important</p>
<p>^How so?</p>
<p>As it is, the writing section is actually a slightly better predictor of grades in college than the critical reading and math section, which are more established.
[Studies:</a> SAT writing portion good predictor of grades - USATODAY.com](<a href=“http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-04-24-sat_N.htm]Studies:”>http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-04-24-sat_N.htm)</p>