Percentile Ranks

[BrianM]

How accurate are the percentile ranks from the ETS site?

It doesn't make too much sense that a 600 on the old test = a 144 about.

Is this really correct? And how would this change in July when the percentile ranks are "updated"

[jeffster]

Well, the ones on the website are going to be averages, probably based on what ETS expects to see based on past testing. Actually even two scores of 144 aren't necessarily comparable; that's why they give the percentile for your score for that exact test along with the number. A 144 in one case might put you in the 60th (my numbers arbitrary) percentile, while a 144 on a later version of the same test might put you in the 65th percentile, compared to everyone else who took it.

So, once you take the test and get your scores, you'll know your exact percentile.

[BrianM]

Well, the ones on the website are going to be averages, probably based on what ETS expects to see based on past testing. Actually even two scores of 144 aren't necessarily comparable; that's why they give the percentile for your score for that exact test along with the number. A 144 in one case might put you in the 60th (my numbers arbitrary) percentile, while a 144 on a later version of the same test might put you in the 65th percentile, compared to everyone else who took it.

So, once you take the test and get your scores, you'll know your exact percentile.

Ah, thanks.

So they will remain in the general region, with about a 5 to 10 % rank difference I assume?