Variability of ACT scores

Mrs.Ferguson
Thu, 21 Sep 2006 09:38:13 +0000

The makers of standardized tests make every effort to make every version of the test equivalent, which means differences in difficulty must be very small. Furthermore, the score conversions are designed to adjust for even very small differences in difficulty. That’s what standardized means. The state ACT is “real”. Students may find it easier, perhaps because they don’t have to get up on a Saturday to take it, because there’s less pressure, or for a hundred other reasons; maybe some of them find it harder. But if that rumor were true–if it were really easier–it wouldn’t be a standardized test, and colleges wouldn’t accept it.

Vegan, you already have a great score you can send to colleges, so try not to stress about the October test and you’ll do fine. With six months between tests, you’ll be a little smarter, and you’ve had more testing practice. Just go in with confidence, and don’t think about the writing test until you get to it.