If everyone thinks they did poorly on the science section, will the curve be generous

<p>I don't really understand the ACT curve thing. It seems to be the general consensus the science section was difficult, so does that mean you can get more wrong and still get a decent score? I really need to get a 29 or 30 and I know I messed up some of the physics section and that threshold one too i think...</p>

<p>when the act ppl decide on the scale, they base it on how hard they think the section was. so if they feel the science section for this test was harder, which they hopefully will and should, the scale should allow us to get more wrong and still have a good score.</p>

<p>so it’s based on what they think, they don’t average together students’ scores or anything like that?</p>

<p>well i thought they might, but i was looking at posts in other threads, and it looks like since the act grades our tests at different times, it’s not possible for them to base their scale on our scores. for example, some people get their scores back before other people’s tests are even graded. so there’s no way they can make a scale based on how the test takers did. but the scale could still be in our favor if it was a hard test</p>

<p>ohh. well that doesn’t seem very fair to me…they could be biased in their curving</p>

<p>Sorry, ACT has no curve based on test result…
act site says that </p>

<p>“scores are processed and added each week, usually each Wednesday and Friday. Normally, all scores are reported by 8 weeks after the test date.”
that means that ACT scores and sends out scores before all tests are even looked at. If most people did lousy or great on a test, it makes no difference. That is why they can score some tests before the others have been scored. If you get a hard or easy test, the curve does not change for a test even if everyone scores a 35 or a 15 or a 5. The curve is based on old tests, not the test you took. If the curve had anything to do with the test that you took, ACT would have to wait until all tests were graded and then curve. PSAT / SAT does that. Not ACT.
anyone disagree? Then please tell us here at cc how do they send out some results before other tests from the same date are even graded???</p>

<p>bronxsci, i agree, how we do does not affect the score. but this doesn’t mean the science cant still have a generous curve. the act people know when they make the test whether it’s on the harder side or on the easier side. so, they make the scale so that roughly the same percent of kids will do well, do avg, do poorly, etc.</p>

<p>yes, you make a good point. but here’s the problem: basically every act test for years and years has had the same curve for each section, maybe different by a point. so unfortunately, if you get a tough test, it’s just bad luck. I know it may make us feel better to say a section is going to have a big curve, but from everything posted here at cc it looks like the curve is just about the same for every section for many years, only differing by a point. that sucks, but that’s the way it is.</p>

<p>yah i mean usually the curves dont vary very much. but every point is huge when this science test could be my downfall.</p>