<p>If one’s score is at 99%tile, is one better than 99% of the test population or is there 1% of test population score better? </p>
<p>I know there is joke about asking where the 1point go when child got a 99 on a test. I am not here to ask about where that 1% goes but to understand the system.</p>
<p>After a long wait period, I finally got DD’s result from the national coordinator. She refused to tell me if DD placed in the national level. Instead, we got some %tile information (everyone who got above 95%tile will get a gold medal). Out of 4 sections (max of 100 point each), DD got one 100 (99%tile); two 95s (99%tile) and one 86 (91%tile). Her composite total is at 99%tile. </p>
<p>Does this mean she will be 2nd if only 100 test taker, 3rd or 4th if 200 takers, etc? Since her 100 point section is only rated as 99%tile, I would guess that 99% is the highest possible. Is there such a thing as 100%tile? </p>
<p>Please, this is for my own information only.</p>
<p>She could be #1.
The percentiles don't go above 99, or maybe 99+ (I've seen the College Board do this, by which I think they mean in the top half percent).
There is no 100 because by definition, no one can score better than ALL the test takers- including the test-taker herself.</p>
<p>O.k. if I understand the two answers above, a 99%tile score mean one did better than 99% of the test takers. </p>
<p>The national web site only lists the names of top 5 scores. If there are more than 500 student took the test, DD could still fail to get placed nationally. </p>
<p>Last year, her score would have placed 5th. Oh, well. Just have to wait and see this 99%tile means anything.</p>
<p>For the standardized tests I am familiar with, a percentile of 99+ indicates that the highest possible raw score was earned--no errors or omissions on multiple choice, full credit on constructed responses.</p>
<p>Relax- the percentiles are meant to give rough guidelines, not absolutes. Don't forget the statistical margins of error. Once you get to that top 1% it is meaningless to overcompare- a much more difficult test would be needed to truly differentiate/sort out those test takers. Read up on gifted and talented information- you still need to stop obsessing over minutae. The 99%ile means she did better than the vast majority - you need to get over your need for her to be the top performer. Concentrate on meeting her needs, not her performance. She can find a test that would put her in the lower half of the test group- what would that do to your ego? She is in the elite group that includes many of us and our children, welcome to our "club". It is a nice group that works to maximize everyone's potential, not push and shove to be the top member. In other words, follow the advice given in previous threads- for your daughter's sake and your own. You are placing tremendous pressure on her in searching for perfection. Let go of the competitiveness and mature into the world of giftedness where we all know our children are gifted and we don't need to know who is microns smarter than someone else.</p>