January SAT 2009 General Discussion

<p>it looks like ill be between 1980 and 2130, my goals is over 2000 so this looks good, but who knows i could walk away with a 1800 for all i know, these are extremely rough estimates... probably going too have to take it again tho, still got 2 more tries</p>

<p>0 omitted writing; perhaps a few mistakes (3)
0 omitted on CR; max. mistakes (8)
5 omitted on math (couldn't wrap my mind around the last problem in the ten minute section, and the third to last problem; #14 on my first math section; last problem on the <em>supposed</em> experimental section; one omitted on the second to last page of my second math section)</p>

<p>It was my first time taking the SAT without any studying. I'm surely going to throw this score out.</p>

<p>I found this info interesting, showing how your score will depend on the curve for the test you took. The curve is determined before the test is administered, based on the test difficulty:</p>

<p>Which is the best month to take the SAT? (or: Which is the easiest month to take the SAT?)</p>

<p>A common misconception is that SATs given in a particular month (say, October) are easier (or harder) than average. Related to this concept is the idea that the average test taker should avoid a particular test month if a large group of strong students will be taking the SAT that month. It is true that the difficulty of the SAT varies somewhat from one month to the next. However, the data show that no month is consistently harder or easier than average. For example, the following table shows how your math score would have varied on different tests, given that you had gotten two questions wrong. Also shown is the offset from the average score for two wrong or omitted (roughly 763) along with the difficulty of the test on the basis of its curve:</p>

<p>SAT Test Month Score Offset Difficulty
January, 2006 780 +17 Hard
January, 2007 760 -3 Average
January, 2008 760 -3 Average </p>

<p>May, 2006 760 -3 Average
May, 2007 770 +7 Average
May, 2008 750 -13 Easy </p>

<p>October, 2005 760 -3 Average
October, 2006 770 +7 Average
October, 2007 750 -13 Easy </p>

<p>The curve on the test, which generates a scaled score (200-800) from your raw score (the number of questions right minus a quarter point for each multiple-choice question wrong) is designed to correct for minor variations in the difficulty of the test. If the test is a little too hard (e.g., January, 2006) compared to an average SAT, you will get a higher score for the same raw score compared to an easier test (e.g., October, 2007). This curve is generated independently of whether or not a large group of strong students take the test. Even if they all get perfect 2400s, your score will be the same as it was had they not taken the test. So, finally, the answer is: take the test in the month that best suits your schedule. Whether you have time to study for the test or not is a much bigger factor in determining your score than variations in the difficulty of the test. For those really interested (warning: non-trivial math) in how SAT curves work, see this College Board white paper.</p>

<p>^yeah, i think that was it. but yeah, I can't believe I got FOUR CR sections when CR Was my weakpoint. Why didn't I get a math experimental section?!? Stupid Providence . . .</p>

<p>I know I missed two problems on Math for sure, and maybe around two more. Do you think I can still get around 710 or 720?</p>

<p>what do you guys think i'll get with</p>

<p>math: omit 3, 2 wrong
cr: omit 0, 3 wrong
writing: omit 0, 2-4 wrong 8-10 essay</p>

<p>this is the first time I took it and it felt really easy, like easier than the psat and the 2 QAS tests I took previously.. good sign??</p>

<p>^^ Math- 750 ish
CR- 780 ish</p>

<p>awesome! that's the range i was hoping for!!! :] </p>

<p>also do you think that because the test seemed easier (IMHO) that the curve will be tougher?</p>

<p>There is no way 3 omits and 2 wrong on Math is 750. More like 700. Yes, -3 in Critical Reading will be around 760 to 780. -2 to -4 in Writing with an 8-10 essay will range from about 670 at the lowest to like 760. Still a pretty good job overall, if your predictions are correct. You can get definitley get 2200+!</p>

<p>I thought math was harder than December but reading was easier, but I could have possibly failed the reading, so don't trust me...</p>

<p>......bump</p>

<p>^^ freakchild, thanks for replying :] </p>

<p>i heard the december test was pretty hard but I didn't take it personally so i don't really know haha :) i know math's not my strong point, so 700 is dandy :] i was aiming for a 2150+ so as long as i get that i'm happy!</p>

<p>actually, i was wondering about whether or not i should retake it.. i'm a junior and if i get a 2150 on my first try w/o actually studying/preparing, should i keep at it?? </p>

<p>The hardest school that i want to go to is brown but i have a ton of extra curriculars and i already have my essays written (i'm a little overzealous when it comes to brown ;)) and i'm a URM.. that should be a good enough score right??</p>

<p>i just don't see the point in taking the SATs that often and working towards a score that will ultimately not matter in my life after college.. </p>

<p>just wondering. i'm open to any opinions :] thanks ahead of time!</p>

<p>Did anyone think this SAT Math was the hardest of any test released. I've practiced about 10 Real SAT tests from the collegeboard plus I have taken 2 actual ones; however, I have never had so much trouble with Math. I couldn't answer the one with the y= 2-x^3, the one with 1/k, and the 5, a, b, 5 one. Most other times I can answer everything. From my experience I'm screwed with a score 700 or lower b/c of the curving of math. Epic Asian fail!!!!! lol.</p>

<p>yes, I found math tricky... but it was do-able for the most part.</p>

<p>My guess is
CR: 3 omitted, about 10 wrong (screwed up on the nomad passage)
M: 1 omitted, probably 1~2 wrong from silly mistakes
W: 0 omitted, probably 1~2 wrong from silly mistakes; essay about 8~9... maybe 10</p>

<p>what score will I get?
I'm aiming for 2140+</p>

<p>Writing: Missed 0-2 (Possibly the Hagia Sophia and World Fair ones) Essay was about average.
Math: If I missed any, it was by careless errors that I didn't catch the second time through reviewing my test.
Reading: Missed 1-More than 1 (We can't seem to come to a consensus on a lot of them. I shot myself in the foot by assuming that juxtaposition implies similarity.)</p>

<p>Generally, the December test was significantly easier.</p>

<p>Writing: 0 omitted, perhaps 1-2 wrong due to stupid mistakes..Essay maybe 10
Math: 1 omitted, 1 wrong (totally screwed up the last math section...ran out of time T_T there goes my 800 lol)
CR: 2 omitted, uh...perhaps 5 or 6 wrong? CR is my weakest point...</p>

<p>I was originally aiming for a 2200+, but now 2150+ would be good enough for me...what do you guys think? this is my first time taking the SAT, so I have no experience..so I was hoping u guys can help "chance" me haha thanks~~</p>

<p>If that's all you got wrong, you will probably be well into the 2200s.</p>

<p>^ thanks for replying^^ I hope so~~ now that i think of it, maybe I got about 7-9 CR questions wrong... lol but anyways, if 5-6 wrong is well into the 2200s, then i think it should be fine hehe fingers crossed! >.<</p>