I just read on MSNBC news (on the internet) that there is a new book out on the 600 odd students each year who manage a perfect score. They had a very brief excerpt at

http://www.msnbc.com/news/968189.asp?0sp=v65

The book is titled 1600 Perfect Score, it was written by an educator and exective fecruiter named Tom Fischgrund. The College Board actually allowed him access to these students who scored 1600.

The article also discussed the more stringent SAT score requirements of the top schools. For example, Harvard raised its average SAT requirement from 1370 to 1485. I was relieved to find out that in 1995, the College Board changed and curved the scoring, which has caused the SAT scores to rise by an average of 50 to 100 points. I had seen plaques in a school honoring the students who scored 1300 and above, so my (ancient scores) looked very shabby compared to that!

Maybe someday I will have the time and opportunity to read this book, telling about these students who do so well. The article didn't give enough information on that - but it did say they had a solid background, as opposed to doing a lot of cramming and SAT prep.

The SAT scores are higher now than they were before the scoring adjustment was made. However, the higher scores and the lower scores were not affected as much. The scores seeing the biggest difference are in the middle. Scores around the 900-1200 range. It is not really accurate to think that a score of 1450 before the adjustment would jump to 1500-1550. I used to have an adjustment scale from when I was a school counselor. I will try to find it and bring it to class.