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Exam Curves

Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 4:19 pm
by Enektal
Hi TLS,

I was wondering which administration/date is the "best" one. I'm thinking along the lines of pros/cons and was hoping that someone could tell me about the statistics in curves for each test date (i.e.: which one has been noted to be the more generous/harder one).

I was originally going to take the test in October, but decided to take a gap year instead of applying straight after undergrad. I thought of rescheduling for June 2014, but then decided against that because I anticipate that the Spring semester of my senior year will be too crazy (writing a thesis). So now I'm deciding between December and February.

I know it ultimately comes down to when I feel ready, but I'd like to hear some thoughts from the TLS boards because you guys are always full of great advice.

Much appreciated!

Re: Exam Curves

Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 4:20 pm
by 09042014
Doesn't matter at all, the test is designed to give you the same score whenever you take it.

/thread.

Re: Exam Curves

Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 4:26 pm
by Enektal
I thought that the curve depended on the strength/scores of everyone taking the same exam? i.e.: stronger pool of test takers, different curve. No?

Re: Exam Curves

Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 4:27 pm
by 09042014
Enektal wrote:I thought that the curve depended on the strength/scores of everyone taking the same exam? i.e.: stronger pool of test takers, different curve. No?
No. Everyone could theoretically get a 180 if everyone who happened to take it was that smart.

Re: Exam Curves

Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 5:48 pm
by wtrc
Desert Fox wrote:
Enektal wrote:I thought that the curve depended on the strength/scores of everyone taking the same exam? i.e.: stronger pool of test takers, different curve. No?
No. Everyone could theoretically get a 180 if everyone who happened to take it was that smart.
Yep, it's not a curve in that sense... everything is predetermined.

If everyone got a 180, someone at LSAC is gettin fired though... :P

Re: Exam Curves

Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 12:40 am
by malleus discentium

Re: Exam Curves

Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 8:44 am
by mosessta

Re: Exam Curves

Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 9:41 am
by Skill Game
Desert Fox wrote:Doesn't matter at all, the test is designed to give you the same score whenever you take it.

/thread.
Sure, it may be designed to do this, or intend to do this. But it definitely doesn't. After 37 timed tests, my average is 174.4, with a standard deviation of 3.5~ and lowest score is 167. Highest score is 179. FYI the 167 happened fairly recently.

Re: Exam Curves

Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 8:04 pm
by wtrc
Skill Game wrote:
Desert Fox wrote:Doesn't matter at all, the test is designed to give you the same score whenever you take it.

/thread.
Sure, it may be designed to do this, or intend to do this. But it definitely doesn't. After 37 timed tests, my average is 174.4, with a standard deviation of 3.5~ and lowest score is 167. Highest score is 179. FYI the 167 happened fairly recently.
Have you considered that part of this has to do with you (being more tired than usual, unprepared, distracted, etc.)?

Re: Exam Curves

Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 10:16 pm
by haus
Wormfather wrote:
Desert Fox wrote:
Enektal wrote:I thought that the curve depended on the strength/scores of everyone taking the same exam? i.e.: stronger pool of test takers, different curve. No?
No. Everyone could theoretically get a 180 if everyone who happened to take it was that smart.
Oh the poor suckers who'd have to take the test comprised of that group's experimentals.

-3? You get a 142 you dumb fuck
:lol:

Re: Exam Curves

Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 10:53 pm
by Clearly
wtrcoins3 wrote:
Skill Game wrote:
Desert Fox wrote:Doesn't matter at all, the test is designed to give you the same score whenever you take it.

/thread.
Sure, it may be designed to do this, or intend to do this. But it definitely doesn't. After 37 timed tests, my average is 174.4, with a standard deviation of 3.5~ and lowest score is 167. Highest score is 179. FYI the 167 happened fairly recently.
Have you considered that part of this has to do with you (being more tired than usual, unprepared, distracted, etc.)?
Lol it's like a flaw question. Fails to consider...

Re: Exam Curves

Posted: Sun Aug 25, 2013 7:53 am
by Skill Game
My 4 lowest scores are 167,168x2, and 169. It's unlikely they are all the result of fatigue.

Re: Exam Curves

Posted: Sun Aug 25, 2013 8:27 am
by Mal Reynolds
Skill Game wrote:
Desert Fox wrote:Doesn't matter at all, the test is designed to give you the same score whenever you take it.

/thread.
Sure, it may be designed to do this, or intend to do this. But it definitely doesn't. After 37 timed tests, my average is 174.4, with a standard deviation of 3.5~ and lowest score is 167. Highest score is 179. FYI the 167 happened fairly recently.
You're assuming the difficulty of the test is giving you an inconsistent score.

Re: Exam Curves

Posted: Sun Aug 25, 2013 8:30 am
by Mal Reynolds
Mal Reynolds wrote:
Skill Game wrote:
Desert Fox wrote:Doesn't matter at all, the test is designed to give you the same score whenever you take it.

/thread.
Sure, it may be designed to do this, or intend to do this. But it definitely doesn't. After 37 timed tests, my average is 174.4, with a standard deviation of 3.5~ and lowest score is 167. Highest score is 179. FYI the 167 happened fairly recently.
You're assuming the difficulty of the test is giving you an inconsistent score.
Also lol at your sample size.

Re: Exam Curves

Posted: Sun Aug 25, 2013 8:32 am
by NapoleonXV
I would recommend December. The down side about Feb is that you will not get your full score report.

If (only IF) you need to retake, then knowing which problems you got wrong in your test might be helpful.