June 2018 SATs - negative curve

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think people are outraged because the penalty for an incorrect answer is more severe than it has been on any of the released tests and the official practice tests. The test seems to be a bit of an outlier in terms of its level of difficulty (or lack thereof).

Fortunately, there are at least two more testing dates for rising seniors who need a higher score. My rising senior finished his testing in fall of junior year, and I'm glad he didn't sit for this particular test!

I think that the easier test may have also worked to benefit some kids. DS's scores went up 50 points over the March test.

[Anonymous]

I can’t believe the parents and kids getting outraged over this. The test is curved, as it has to be. The process is clear. These kids weren’t cheated out of the score and they and their parents look ridiculous for complaining. They are living up to their coddled stereotype.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, the harsh curve situation most likely hurt DS. Total incorrect was less than handful but wound up at lowish 1500s. Believe he would have done well on harder SAT questions and therefore good chance he would have scored higher on another curve. Still it's time to move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the outrage is mostly coming from people who didn't realize the SAT is curved at all.

This! I had no idea. Why can't the tests be consistently difficult every time it is administered?

Because they are designed by humans.

Maybe the College Board should hire different humans to design them.

Creating good standardized test questions is a more complex process than many people realize.

Also, ETS needs to have a very large bank of questions to combine for the various testing dates because of the problems they have had with cheating by test takers.

[Anonymous]

the good news is, if you don’t like the results, you can sign up to take it again

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately on an easier test the more able candidates may score lower than normal because the questions are too easy. And conversely the less able candidates may see a jump in their scores because the easier questions are just their speed. Chances are that the College Board will be reevaluating the next two tests to ensure that they are more similar to the standard.

In the meantime, the less able candidates should either decide to let their scores ride or pump it into gear if they plan to retest.

If a more able candidate had already earned a high score in a preceding test then most colleges will recognize what happened because they've heard the scuttlebutt, too. Of course, a retake is also an option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think people are outraged because the penalty for an incorrect answer is more severe than it has been on any of the released tests and the official practice tests. The test seems to be a bit of an outlier in terms of its level of difficulty (or lack thereof).

Fortunately, there are at least two more testing dates for rising seniors who need a higher score. My rising senior finished his testing in fall of junior year, and I'm glad he didn't sit for this particular test!

PP is correct. The curve is very harsh, especially at the high end- even if you miss only 1 or 2 questions per section, the score is comparatively low. The curve is between 70-80 points lower than previous curves. My DC did sit for it and most of the friends who took it, my DC included, have lower scores than March. Obviously my DC's friend group is a small sample, but the curve should not be so harsh that most scores go down. This is not my first kid applying to college, so I am familiar with tests and curves, but not a curve like this. I don't know if that's the case at all nationally but from what I've heard, that seems to be the case. I'm convinced college board just wants the fees for another test

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think people are outraged because the penalty for an incorrect answer is more severe than it has been on any of the released tests and the official practice tests. The test seems to be a bit of an outlier in terms of its level of difficulty (or lack thereof).

Fortunately, there are at least two more testing dates for rising seniors who need a higher score. My rising senior finished his testing in fall of junior year, and I'm glad he didn't sit for this particular test!

PP is correct. The curve is very harsh, especially at the high end- even if you miss only 1 or 2 questions per section, the score is comparatively low. The curve is between 70-80 points lower than previous curves. My DC did sit for it and most of the friends who took it, my DC included, have lower scores than March. Obviously my DC's friend group is a small sample, but the curve should not be so harsh that most scores go down. This is not my first kid applying to college, so I am familiar with tests and curves, but not a curve like this. I don't know if that's the case at all nationally but from what I've heard, that seems to be the case. I'm convinced college board just wants the fees for another test

Of course they do!!! They are a for profit company. Why do you think they aligned the test with the ACT....market share!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, ETS needs to have a very large bank of questions to combine for the various testing dates because of the problems they have had with cheating by test takers.

It is believed that College Board is writing the New SAT in-house, not ETS. A while back, ETS was fired and then re-hired but it's not entirely clear what ETS's current role is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, ETS needs to have a very large bank of questions to combine for the various testing dates because of the problems they have had with cheating by test takers.

It is believed that College Board is writing the New SAT in-house, not ETS. A while back, ETS was fired and then re-hired but it's not entirely clear what ETS's current role is.

Isn’t ETS just the for-profit part of College Board?