The Curve

dubnation

Hey, so according to most literature out there it appears that the "scale" or "curve" is predetermined based on prior test experimental sections. If that's the case, what explanation is there for the generally more "forgiving" December curve. In 4 of the past 6 December tests, you could get -14 and still get a 170


http://lsatblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/lsat-curve-test-equating-at-lsac.html

zotter14

Past Dec curves to get a 170:

2014: -12
2013: -14
2012: -12
2011: -14
2010: -14
2009: -14
2008: -11
2007: -11
2006: -11

zotter14

-14 i will cry tears of joy.

dubnation

Yea, that's not really an answer to my question... If the tests are equated prior to test day (via experimental sections), WHY are are the Dec tests consistently more forgiving?

zotter14

No idea to be honest; I've always thought the same. June is always curved the worst, Dec the easiest.

Lawschool2015

.

iiiSpoon

@Lawschool2015 with respect to the current trend, yes. If you look at a LSAT score conversion chart, 87/101 is the lowest one can go for a 170, depending on the PT.

aikjgfriu

Aren't those based on how difficult the test might be? So while you may want to get a generous -14 = 170 curve, it's just adjusted that way to account for the relative difficulty of the test.

splitterhopeful

I would bet the fact that the December tests tend to have a gentler curve (and a correspondingly higher level of difficulty) is just random statistical noise. I think the best way to guess is just rely on your intuition of how difficult the test was relative to other PT's and their respective curves... felt like a -12 to me. I'd be happy with that. -14 and I'll have a much happier new year, though.

Pacifico

I'd say -12 to -14. The LR and RC were definitely easier than October (but not by much) while the LG was much harder than October (given that October was actually very cookie cutter).

kennedybj

-13 would be nice.

asgysi

What about the question of anticipating certain trends for given months? If you want relatively favorable sections depending on your strengths could you have a sense of what the trend might be ahead of taking the test? I remember people saying LG threw them off particularly in June and Dec for example.

nicole.hopkins

@asgysi said:
If you want relatively favorable sections depending on your strengths could you have a sense of what the trend might be ahead of taking the test?

No—there's no way to game the system. Seriously, just become a BOSS at this and forget the gimmickry.