What kind of curve should I expect from the PSAT's/SAT's?

Test Preparation
1

<p>So, I just finished my latest practice test from a McGraw Hill test prep book. I did surprising well with a 780 CR, 730 Math, and 740 Writing(with no essay.) However, when I looked at the grading scale, the curve seemed far too generous. Even with two points deducted, you could still manage a 800 in the Critical Reading Section. </p>

<p>I'm starting to doubt the validity of my scores. This prep book is the new edition so I know it's not outdated or anything. But I still doubt I could fare this well on the PSAT's/SAT's with the amount of mistakes I made, especially on Math. I've been on this board long enough to know the SAT does not unfortunately, have a generous curve and I want an accurate picture of where I stand right now. </p>

<p>From your experience, how many mistakes am I limited to in each section to score a 700+? 750+? 780+? I would really like to know how merciless the curve is indeed. Does the curve vary between different tests? Is there an ideal test date, when the curve is less harsh or less prevalent than during the other tests? </p>

<p>I would also like to know about the curves on the PSAT's. I'm a rising junior, so I'm more concerned with the PSAT's, at this moment, than the actual SAT but all help will do. :) </p>

<p>I appreciate all replies. Let's get this thread started.</p>

2

<p>The SAT curve is correct from the book. In the real SAT you can usually miss up to 3 questions in reading and get a perfect 800. In math you can usually miss up to 2 questions, sometimes only one if the test is easy to get a perfect. After taking the writing section this year I have heard that getting a 11/12 on the essay and missing 2 questions is equal to a perfect. </p>

<p>With your scores though stop worrying. You will be a national merit scholar. You are in good pace for any universities in the 10 ten. Though watch out universities like Caltech and Harvard, they might want a lot more.</p>

3

<p>I wouldn't worry about your scores either, but I just want to make you aware that the math curve on the PSAT is BRUTAL!</p>

<p>My friend got only one wrong and his score plummeted to a 760. I guess that year math wasn't too difficult</p>

4

<p>Yea, no kidding about the PSAT Math Curve... I think the curve for my year was 1 wrong = 76...</p>

<p>Ouch... Hope its better for you guys this year.</p>

<p>:)</p>

5

<p>Yea it is usually 1 wrong for reading for an 800 possibly 2. 1 wrong in math is never an 800 it is usually 790-770.</p>

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<p>I'm worried more about the math curve, at this point, since it's my weakest area. If I got like 6-8 wrong, what score would that translate to? I knew that 730 was too generous. It's probably more like a 660. :(</p>

<p>Also, how accurate is the McGraw Hill test prep book? I just picked it out of the library for review. Is it easier or harder than the real SAT's?</p>

7

<p>The SAT curve is absolutely brutal. My Critical reading score was a 750 with 3 wrong. My writing score was a 700 with 4 wrong and a 10 essay, finally, although I got an 800 on the math, 2 wrong would drop your score to 740, and I believe that 4 wrong would drop you under 700.</p>

8

<p>zeningchen is right. The SAT curve for the NEW SAT is more brutal than Kim Jong Ill. If you minus one on the math you are absolutely guaranteed not to get an 800; if you minus one on the reading you are usually going to get a 790, in rare cases an 800. The old SAT curves were sooooo much more generous, but we're in the epoch of the New SAT =/</p>

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<p>The curve varies from test to test and from test version to test version. My Math section on the May SAT happened to be uncharacteristically difficult, so 2 wrong and 1 omitted got me a 770. the CR section was average-easy, and 3 wrong 0 omitted got me a 770.
1 MC wrong/0 omitted for writing let me keep the 80 MC subscore, but the 7 that they gave me for the essay brought my score down 60 pts.</p>

<p>1 wrong on Math does not always guarantee a score less than 800. My friend said he left 1-2 blank and he still got 800. But most of the time 1 wrong for Math will drop you to 790 or 780.
For CR, usually 1 wrong still gives you an 800, with 2 wrong occasionally still being 800.</p>

10

<p>Ew. On the PSAT last year, I got one question wrong and got a 76. My friend got one wrong and got a 77. Another got a 79. I guess it depends on which one you got wrong? I think mine was a medium level question. Whatever, I was only a sophomore. This time I'm aiming for that 80 :P.</p>

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<p>theoneo, it does not matter which question you got wrong. It only matters which version of the test you happened to get. Your friends must have had a version with a more difficult section in it, so the people taking it do worse, thus bringing up the scale.</p>

12

<p>Most study guides have an example curve. Check out your books, they're usually pretty accurate and will show how many you can miss to get a perfect.</p>

13

<p>You joking about the SAT curve being brutal. How about the ACT curves? What is it again, 3 wrong on science is a 30 -_-.</p>

14

<p>Hahah yeah I heard about that. And one wrong on math gives you a 35, then a 34, etc... Isn't the english curve really easy though?</p>

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<p>True, but you have to keep in mind that these problems (for math) are so much easier than those on the SAT and that is why the curve is so "brutal"</p>

<p>:)</p>