<p>Two silly questions:</p>
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<li>Here is an idle thought about the "curve": Has there ever been a curve in any subject where a perfect score was less than 800? I don't think there has been. But why not? I suspect the public outcry would be huge. But consider an easy test with a harsh curve...say -1 = 770, -2 = 740, -3 = 710...Is an 800 on that test really comparable to an 800 on a hard test with an easy curve...say -1 = 800, -2 = 780?</li>
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<p>You could make a case that the easier test should max out at 790...but people would go nuts. The idea that you could do the best that was available that day and not get rewarded with an 800 would strike people as unfair. But is it fair to get an 800 having conquered a lesser challenge?</p>
<ol>
<li>On another thread, someone recently asserted that the upcoming January curve will be harsh. I do not want to revisit all of the ways that such speculation is both wrong and useless. But just out of idle curiosity</li>
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<p>Suppose on the day of your test, you were told you could choose between two tests: one would have as its curve -1 = 770, -2 = 740, -3 = 710... The other would have -1 = 800, -2 = 780, -3 = 760. Which one would you take and why?</p>
<p>And yes, I know it's a silly question for a number of reasons, including the fact that the curves cannot be set in advance...but still, what would you pick?</p>