Scores are normally distributed with a mean of 86 and a standard deviation of 14. What is the probability that a random student scored below 72?
Hi,Use a Z Score calculator such as this one:Z Score or Standard Value CalculatorRandom Value = 72Mean (u) = 86Standard Deviation = 14You should get this resultUsing a Z Score lookup table:You will see a Z value of 1 = .3413 or 34.13% of the area under the curve.But… to finish the calculation we need to put all the numbers in the right context.The value of .3413 is the area under the curve from “0” (zero, the normalized average of 86) to the value of 100 or 72 (since normal distribution is symmetrical).The number you want is what is the probability of a random student getting a score below 72 (which is 1 standard deviation away from the average, by the way).What we need to do is calculate the percentage (probability) below 72 by subtracting .3413 from .5000 (.5000 is the probability of what is contained in the lower half of the normal distribution and the .3413 is the probability of what is above 72). So .5000 - .3413 = .1587 or the probability that a student scored below 72 is 15.87%.To calculate the probability of a student scoring 72 or better just add the probabilities above the 72 level which would be .3413 + .5000 (upper half of normal distribution which was not affected by our calculations) and we get .8413 or 84.13% probability a student scored above 72.I hope this helps…
What is a good PSAT score for a freshman?
Since freshman year is early to take the PSAT, your target scores can certainly be lower than they would be when you reach 10th or 11th grade. In fall of freshman year, you haven't taken any full high school classes yet. You may have already done a good deal of prep for the PSAT though, and you have lots of time to do more before taking the PSAT as a sophomore and/or junior.With this in mind, let's consider good scores to be in the 70th percentile or higher. These are the section and composite scores you'd need to achieve on the PSAT/NMSQT to score in these higher than average percentiles.An average section score in the 50th percentile would be a score of about 460 on each section. To get an above average score, you'd want to get 470 or higher in both sections.
What are my chances of getting into IMSA?
I'm a current incoming Sophomore of the Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy, so having been through the application process not too long ago, I feel that I might be able to help answer your question. I live in central Illinois, and I had not even heard of IMSA (other than the mailings I received by the school) until October of last year. I come from an extremely small school, I was tied for 1st in my class, and I had taken Geometry & Algebra I when I applied. What IMSA really looks for in the application, I believe, is that you have a love for math and science. Something they also really look at it is what kind of school you come from, and whether or not you will run out of math (I would have very quickly, so my school wouldn't allow me to take any math earlier). IMSA doesn't just look at your test scores. They want to find students who are willing to work hard, have a passion for math and science, and will potentially bring pride to the IMSA name after they graduate. As long as your test scores aren't below 550 per category in the SAT, you should be fine. My friend made it in with 550 in reading, 550 in math, and 420 in writing (something like that). Don't worry about your test scores. They understand how bad some public schools in Illinois are! If your scores aren't high, they will still accept you as long as you have a high GPA. If you have lower SAT scores, you will have to attend Excel which is a 3 week summer IMSA program. I am currently at Excel, and it is an AMAZING opportunity. There are so many benefits including picking your housing, meeting 50 kids and making tons of friends before anyone even arrives on campus, and basically just getting a taste of IMSA early (plus they bring you on a ton of fun field trips). Are you currently at IMSA? Were you participating in KI or SEAMS? My email is d.rachel22@gmail.com if you ever have any more question about IMSA :) Hopefully I'll see you in 2012, future sophomore of IMSA!