Score VS. Percentile Article

[ghong14]

Quote:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... es-update/


Stacey, thank you for writing such an informative article about he new scoring percentile and how that may reflect on future GMAT takers.

My understanding is that as a result of the great quant scores of a recent pool of students the percentiles for quant have dropped for test takers. However, I am wondering how that affects the overall score. For example lets say that a 720 was a 47 math 40 verbal in the past. Would getting a 47 math and 40 verbal only get you a 700 or even a 690 now? Or is just that the 720 score percentile will be lowered as a result of the lowered quant scores (and the verbal score going up a tiny point)? I just feel like something is got to give here right?

Does that mean that a 730 in 2011 and 720 now are pretty much the same thing( although I am sure they seem to be ;))?

[StaceyKoprince]

The 3-digit scaled scores do change a bit over time, yes - both in terms of what Q and V sub-scores will get you a certain 3-digit score and in terms of the percentile associated with the overall 3-digit score.

But the schools again do know this - and they really aren't looking at two people and going "oh, this one got a 730, and that one only got a 720, so dump the 720." Those two scores aren't even actually different, from a statistical significance standpoint! Scores within 30 points are within 1 standard deviation of same-test-taker performance on the real test - meaning, if you score a 700, your "normal scoring range" is 670 to 730. You overlap heavily with someone who scored a 720 and whose scoring range is 690 to 750.