<p>thanks a lot!</p>
<p>WashJohnGalt, the “curve” (percentiles) are based on those who took the test last year (2012), not 2013. It’s been like that for the past few years. Prior to that, the score report showed percentiles for a “sample” of students who took the test in the same year, but now the percentiles are based on the students who took the test in the previous year. So the lack of correlation isn’t surprising. Last year (2012), my son’s sophomore score report showed his percentile on Writing as 85 compared to juniors. But that was based on the 2011 test takers. When I looked at the percentiles on this year’s report, which are actually based on the 2012 test takers, his percentile was only 81. That makes sense because last year nearly all the state cutoffs went up.</p>
<p>my son scored a 218 in Pa
really nervous since the cutoff last year was a 217!
does anyone know if it will go up or down this year?
reading-80
Math-71
writing-67 ( which is shocking because he is an excellent writer!)
what does everyone think?</p>
<p>I heard PA is going up 2 …</p>
<p>@KCTaxguy UGH! where did you hear that!
That would be so disappointing!</p>
<p>I’ve been studying data, PA data in particular, for over a week now. Many have posted that overall they expect scores to go down. However, as we learned from last year (read the 2014 thread), there can always be surprises. That said, I truly don’t expect the scores to fluctuate much from last year. I’m not as confident with a decrease, but think some status quo might be in order. I’ve personally predicted PA scores to fall within 216-218.</p>
<p>However, part of me fears that this is the beginning of the end so to speak, and that scores will continue to rise all over until near perfection is required, similar to how the price for 1-3 wrong on the SAT has risen in the past dozen years. I think this will happen, unless they make the test harder by adding some questions that aren’t a guarantee for those really good in that subject. The math for example doesn’t discern well enough among top math students at all.</p>
<p>I have vested interest here, as my PA son has a 220. I’d like to think that’s high enough to be safe, but I don’t think it’s high enough to breathe easily. If the state specific data comes back with no surprises, maybe we can all take a deep breath.</p>
<p>On another note, the writing score has virtually nothing to do with actual writing. Think of it as a grammar score. My son does extremely well on that, but is only an average writer. His writing score can only go down when he actually has to write on the SAT.</p>
<p>PASoccermom, KC has no information that is not already available to everyone else. He does, however, have a certain dark sense of humor! Keeps things interesting around here…</p>
<p>232 composite. International. Do I meet the cutoff scores for international test-takers?</p>
<p>I think the State cuts reflect differences in educational opportunities.</p>
<p>“Educational opportunities” is questionable. This leveling across the states is a controversial topic.</p>
<p>I also believe it represents a difference in educational opportunities. At least the NMS is doing something to adjust to those different standards and opportunities.</p>
<p>There are also extreme differences in educational opportunities within a state.</p>
<p>and we nearly moved last year to a midwestern state. We value education regardless of the state to which we live.</p>
<p>KC is an internet ■■■■■ - a loser with nothing better to do than post bogus information on this site that he has “heard.” I’ve seen him post on this thread and another BS information he’s heard about scores that would mean that another poster’s kid would not qualify for NMSF.</p>
<p>Another KS poster here…w/a DS who did his personal best but certainly didn’t score as high as the other KS posters here, nor as high as many other posters on this thread. Congrats to all who tried their best…can’t do more than that!</p>
<p>DS scored a 213 (not sure of percentile…but current % is based on 2012 PSAT scores, correct?) His score breakdown is: CR 73; M 62 (he’s not a Math Guy but he was expecting to score higher here); W 78.</p>
<p>Last year’s KS cutoff was 216, so we are not optimistic for NMSF. Knowing our luck, the cutoff will drop to 214 & DS will miss NMSF by 1 point! The Mean for KS is 213 (as posted on CC) so we haven’t lost hope entirely, but we aren’t going to spend time searching for NMF schools, either. Our state flagship currently offers something like free tuition & waived fees to NMS, so there’s no question that DS would go that route if something wacky happens & KS drops down to a 213 cutoff. But KS hasn’t dropped 3 points since 1999 (per CC), so we’re not holding our breath. I do plan to keep a close eye on the threads, tho!</p>
<p>Anecdotally (but probably most interesting to other KS posters), DS attends one of the top-ranked schools in the state (based on various rankings) & the school always produces a good number of NMS. His class size is approx 300 this year. Of those who took the PSAT, DS knows of 4 other students who scored higher than he did: 217 + three 220s. There <em>may</em> be 1-2 other students who scored above DS…he just doesn’t know them well enough to discuss the matter. And that’s it. Most of the really top students…the math competition kids, the kids who go up 1-2 grades for math, the All-AP kids, etc., etc. scored lower than DS. So it will be interesting to see how KS shakes out.</p>
<p>DS will take the SAT in Jan & the ACT in Feb, so that will be his focus from now on. Good luck to all!</p>
<p>230, michigan. the writing was what ruined me :/</p>
<p>192 NY
I got a 220 last year so I don’t really know what happened…</p>
<p>Glad to hear that! I was wondering how he would know!!!</p>
<p>pamom, my kid just missed in pa with a 216 last year. Due to that, i am well up on pa scores too other than this year. Your kid should be safe with a 220. pa score has NEVER been 221 and if it happens to be this year, i think the score year before last was 214 so that would be a 7 point jump in pa over a 2 year period, which has also never happened.</p>
<p>Ack Momma, my worst fear! I’m so terribly sorry it came to be for you. So close! Hopefully your kid has wonderful prospects right on the horizon. Thanks for the PA history reassurance.</p>
<p>230 Unlikely? Your name doesn’t fit, that’s an excellent score in any state!!!</p>
<p>XAQ, yours isn’t the only score that went backward this year. Sorry your scores can’t be flipped. With a matching SAT though, you’re prospects should be good. Best wishes!</p>
<p>AskDad, interesting data. I wish we had more input into how kids scored from one year to the next. Perhaps when the state specific data comes out later this month (or February?) Best wishes to your son.</p>