<p>I’ve heard that the June test has a more difficult curve and that the October test date is the most popular.</p>
<p>Anybody know if this is true and, if so, why? Thanks.</p>
<p>The June exam has a bad reputation because of June 2007, which was a very nasty curve. Previous Junes – including mine, which was 2006 – were not particularly notorious. One June is giving the others a bad name.</p>
<p>bdm, i’m planning on re-taking the test in October (I took it in February and got a 166, if you remember)… will applying in late-October (as soon as I get my score) significantly affect my chances, as opposed to applying in early September?</p>
<p>No, probably not. I’m a little paranoid about these things, but I’ve never seen different results within those first couple of months. When you start pushing later, things will get messy – especially if you get into December.</p>
<p>Can anyone explain (bluedevilmike?) why the June test date might have a more difficult curve? Is there an explanation or is it random?</p>
<p>That particular test day – remember, this isn’t a recurring trend (yet) – might have been an easier-than-planned for exam, meaning that it was harder to spread out the top of the distribution. Or it might be that students that particular June were very motivated, or… </p>
<p>Really, no idea. Again, remember, this isn’t a year-to-year thing.</p>
<p>I heard somewhere that the curve was determined prior to the exam being given…</p>
<p>Might be true. If they use some third-party pool or experimental sections, then, it just might be that they got a very competitive calibration pool or whatever. Really, I’m not sure.</p>
<p>I read the curve is determined ahead of time as well. They test it out for 3 years to actual test takers (hence the experimental sections) and then set the curve, so maybe the test was easier than normal and thus it was particularly harsh.</p>