Do they curve the DAT?

[RE4]

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I heard from a friend that they curve the test to a point, is that true?

 

[futrdentist]

I heard from a friend that they curve the test to a point, is that true?

No, they don't. I got a perfect score in Chemistry (100th percentile) and for some reason it was only a 27 for my particular test. Each test probably has different questions and perctiles, but I haven't ever heard of anyone actually getting a 30 AA overall.

 

[mhl397]

No, they don't. I got a perfect score in Chemistry (100th percentile) and for some reason it was only a 27 for my particular test. Each test probably has different questions and perctiles, but I haven't ever heard of anyone actually getting a 30 AA overall.

yea i dont think they curve either...everyone says that the dat's are really easy compared to mcats or whatever...but in all honesty i think that's a disadvantage because so many people do well on this test ..u just have to do better than them. no curve needed just study!! and get off this forum for a little while it helps

 

[crazy_sherm]

I heard from a friend that they curve the test to a point, is that true?

Yes, the test is bell curved. Scoring is setup in a way to draw them toward the 50% mark. The farther your score deviates from 50%, the narrower the score categories become. That's why the range for a 15 is way higher than for a 25. Take a look at the scoring distribution chart at the back of the ADA practice test booklet to get a better idea of how scoring works for the DAT.

 

[INFNITE]

i have also heard that different individual exams are normalized separately so just because you get an easier exam doesn't mean its easier to get a higher score

 

[issa]

the dat is curved in a disadvantage way. this is true. if you get 27/30 in organic chemistry thats 90%, but your score will be 23/30. 23/30 is 77%. the curve doesn't help the students, it works against us.

 

[scribbles]

the dat is curved in a disadvantage way. this is true. if you get 27/30 in organic chemistry thats 90%, but your score will be 23/30. 23/30 is 77%. the curve doesn't help the students, it works against us.

😱 that sucks!! so even if you get every question right you won't score a 30... why do they do that?
But, I guess if everyone who takes the DAT gets that same treatment, then it won't matter since the person who gets the most questions right (compared to everyone else) will still get the highest score (compared to everyone else) even if they don't receive a 30. 👍

So I really wonder if this disadvantageous scaling is really for the test makers' egos 🙄