But even if you accept the premises of who takes the tests and why, it's not graded on a curve! Your kid's score is the same no matter who else takes the test or why. I didn't argue, but I just couldn't quite see the logic. I may have explained it badly here, as it didn't all stick in my head.
SAT doesn't report raw scores, just like IQ, they report their own variation of standard scores where 500 pts is the 50% mark and 100 pts is one standard deviation. The meaning of the score depends on the population sample they used to normalize the data. SAT uses a sample based on their target test takers, i.e. college bound students.
I was trying to see how her argument plays out... but with no official basis for the self-selected same age, locally gifted taking the test I don't see any conclusion to be reached from the comparison they are offering.
