<p>Ah, then we agree! Marvelous. :)</p>
<p>Cheerioswithmilk, what can we possibly do except speculate about curves? Study for AP tests or something? HAH funny.</p>
<p>is an 1800 considered pretty bad?</p>
<p>My predictions based off absolutely no data and just how I feel about things:
-1 on CR should still be an 800 because the Vocab was tough, -2 will not be an 800 though because the passages were really easy
-1 on math will put you at a 780, the folding squares and percent graph trick will have slipped just enough people up to get a reasonably strong curve (unlike recent tests where missing one drops you 40)
-2 and perhaps -3 on writing will still be in 800 range - the “of” disease one should hurt a lot of people.</p>
<p>^ Was “resistance of disease” meant to be “resistance to disease” …? I put “of” for that one instead of no error, because it seemed like it was an idiom error.</p>
<p>The issue of how curves are produced was hashed out here a while back – but I can’t find the thread. I think it may have been fignewton who cleared it up nicely…</p>
<p>The point is this: while the curve IS affected by the days test takers, it is NOT in any way that makes taking one date advantageous over another. All dates are essentially the same in terms of “hardness” as in how hard it is to get a particular score. Here’s why:</p>
<p>Suppose it was actually true that all the prodigies take the SAT in January and the May test is taken by the lowly. The prodigies will do well on the actual questions that count, but they will also do well on the questions buried in the experimental sections that are used to standardize this particular version of the test – they call it the “equating” section for a reason. So you cleverly take the SAT in May, thinking that the fact that the poor results of the various disfunctional people around you will “bring down the curve”. But that doesn’t happen – those people also do poorly on the equating section so the college board knows that it wasn’t the test – it was the kids!</p>
<p>The only way you could come out ahead is if you could arrange to take the test with a group of kids who do really badly on the sections that count but for some reason are able to nail the equating questions…not too likely a combination.</p>
<p>But anyway, I agree with Cheerioswithmilk: you just have to let this go! You take the test, you do the best you can and then you see how the dice roll.</p>
<p>Hey PWNtheSAT, I just wanted to say thanks a lot for keeping such a fantastic website. It has been my main resource for learning everything about this test and I really appreciate all of your effort; it really has made a huge difference. I recommend it to everyone who asks me how I do so well. I feel like I finally got the perfect 1600 this time and I credit that score to you. Thanks again.</p>
<p>Thanks for saying that, Agent Scarn. Congratulations on your performance!</p>
<p>-2 in CR has ALWAYS been an 800 as far as I can remember. If not 800, then 790. </p>
<p>Hopefully my score translates to something like this!
-2 Math = 760
-2 Writing = 800 (if 11/12 on essay)
-8 CR (3 omit) = 700?</p>
<p>To anyone who’s taken the test before: what does -2 on math and -3 (***) on cr translate to? Will those scores be over 700 even?</p>
<p>Hey guys I’m in 8th grade and I took the May sat for John Hopkins cty. From the looks of it, I got one grid in wrong and 2 MC wrong which translates to a 51/54 (I only care about my math score but I did try on the CR and Writing sections). Do I have a chance of getting a 750?</p>
<p>@aklmka</p>
<p>sorry to say, but its looking like the curve might be harsh on math this time around, so i won’t think a 750 is likely. You’re looking more at low 700s, which is still excellent for 8th grade</p>
<p>Oh man, thanks for the reply</p>
<p>skylimits, those will definitely be over 700 even in worse case scenario. Probably middle high.</p>
<p>I don’t think ANY curve will be very nice this time around.</p>
<p>Thanks @pckeller, nicely put; but now, I have nothing to say! :)</p>
<p>@fignewton --</p>
<p>I don’t know, but I think there good is a chance that this subject will come up again in the future 
So we will all have lots opportunities to restate this suff. The myth of the easier test date is widely believed and often retold, even by people who should know better.</p>
<p>New myth: SATs are easiest when they occur on a Supermoon Day!</p>
<p>dont CARE!
Just Sit back and think you got a 600 Overall and then when you get the results be OverJoyed!</p>
<p>I know this thread is old, but I have a son who took this May 2012 SAT and another preparing for Jan 2013. I can give details that -3 on CR for the May test was a 760. -2 on Writing with a measly 8 on the essay was a 720. Can’t say for math on this May test, as he got 0 wrong! If any of the previous posters come back here, I’d love to hear how accurate your predictions were as to your score and/or the curve. Below are some more stats for a couple other SAT’s:</p>
<p>March 2012 test:</p>
<p>6 wrong on CR=720.<br>
All multiple choice right and a 9 on essay = 800.<br>
3 wrong on math = 720. </p>
<p>December 2012 test:</p>
<p>8 wrong CR = 680
2 wrong writing, 8 essay = 680
2 wrong math = 760</p>