<p>How common is the scenario that across different SAT administrations in different months MORE mistakes in a given section lead to a HIGHER score in that section? For example, a student has a CR score of, say, 760 for 3 mistakes (and no question left untouched) in a certain month’s SAT administration. In the following month’s SAT, can he make 4 mistakes in CR and still get higher than 760 (because of the different curves used in these two months)?</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>I’m no expert but this is what I understand about curves: </p>
<p>Curve variation is very common and its because of the nature of the test. The SAT is reported to be a standardized test so a score of 760 in one test administration should be equal to the same score in another test administration. </p>
<p>The CB uses curves to ensure that this holds true. It’s used to negate the difficulties of different test dates. Meaning, that on any given SAT test day the tests won’t be the same difficulty and CB knows this. If you sat an easy test and get 4 wrong it would be unfair for you to get the same score as someone who sat a harder test and got the same number of questions wrong. Remember its a standardized test.</p>
<p>Hence you might see someone say getting 5 wrong in CR and get a 710, but in another month gets 750 with the same number of questions wrong.</p>
<p>Almost always, the curve is less than 30 points for the critical reading, 20 points for writing, and 10 points for math. So it is very possible to score one extra wrong during a test than the previous and wind up with a score a couple points higher</p>