<p>After spending so much time considering what scores I need in the three subsections of the PSAT to make a score that would qualify for National Merit in my state, I am now perplexed.</p>
<p>Do the curves for the PSAT change drastically from one year to the next? I have seen MANY curve systems for separate PSAT tests that have been administered over the years and have seen no real concrete curve pattern.</p>
<p>Do the curves change based on the skill and scores of the test takers who took the test that day? Have the curves gotten progressively more brutal over the years in general?</p>
<p>Any other comments about the curve on the PSAT? I just need some more tips.</p>
<p>The curves won’t change much. I’ve seen curves only change by 10 points +/- of the previous year.</p>
<p>Here are the PSAT data at the top end, which is where the curve varies most dramatically, from 2005-2008. Each raw score is followed by the average PSAT score and the historical range of PSAT scores.</p>
<p>Math</p>
<p>38 80 80-80
37 76 75-77
36 73 72-74
35 71 70-72
34 69 68-70</p>
<p>CR</p>
<p>48 80 80-80
47 79 78-80
46 76 75-80
45 74 73-79
44 74 72-77
43 72 70-75</p>
<p>Writing</p>
<p>39 80 80-80
38 77 75-80
37 74 72-78
36 72 70-75
35 70 68-73
34 68 66-71 </p>
<p>Like the SAT, I wouldn’t expect a pattern by date; the curve does not depend on the scores and skills of the test takers that day (the PSAT and SAT would be useless as standardized tests in that case).</p>
<p>Looking at a single sensitive point in the curve, here are the available data. For each raw score, scores from the last 4 years (two tests each) are shown.</p>
<p>Math</p>
<p>36 74 74 73 73 72 73 74 72</p>
<p>CR</p>
<p>45 73 74 76 79 74 74 75 77</p>
<p>Writing</p>
<p>37 76 78 75 74 73 72 73 73</p>