Cut Scores

[geomane]

@@DummyCivilEng, you just need to accept the test how it is. Who cares if they establish a cut score? You should study for the exam as if you're trying to answer them all correctly... then it won't matter. In the end you did the best you could.

 

[DummyCivilEng]

@@DummyCivilEng, you just need to accept the test how it is. Who cares if they establish a cut score? You should study for the exam as if you're trying to answer them all correctly... then it won't matter. In the end you did the best you could.

I accept that it is not a real test.

 

[Ken PE 3.1]

Real or not, I know who passes. #jedimasterofuselessknowledge

 

[FlyingScot]

I accept that it is not a real test.

 

[smahurin]

What I mean by a cut score is that there's no absolute correct solution set and that the passing score has to be determined based on how others perform. For that reason, it is not a real test.

I sort of agree with you in that I personally dislike how the NCEES runs things (not that it matters) but the exam isn't based on a curve.  They subjectively determine a passing score that NCEES subject matter experts view as "acceptable competency".  If you beat that score, you pass, if not, you fail.  

Same concept as your drivers test.  Someone determined that 70% (or whatever it is) is an acceptable level of competency for a drivers test... If you beat the score, you pass, if not, you fail.  Same as the NCEES exam.  This is true of any pass/fail test that isn't graded on a curve.

 

[Ramnares P.E.]

What I mean by a cut score is that there's no absolute correct solution set and that the passing score has to be determined based on how others perform. For that reason, it is not a real test.

Firstly, there is an absolute correct solution set.  Each question, unless it is a faulty one, has one correct answer.  By definition, the test has one solution set.

Secondly, if NCEES did not use a cut score system, folks would still complain that the exam is administered unfairly.  Since the questions are not, and should not, be the same every cycle, the difficulty of the test would vary for each cycle, meaning a defined passing score would inherently be unfair.  The current system works because the test, again, is to define 'minimally competent' engineers, which is achieved by using the cut score process as it currently is.  

 

[BarneyOnAcid]

The passing score changes each test taking cycle based upon numerous factors. One of them being the scoring rate for each question. If too many people have failed an individual question, it is thrown out. If too many people are getting overall lower scores than usual, the passing score has to be reduced because overall the test was too "difficult". There is a curve and it is set by the cut score. We will have the lowest cut score in a generation. I am guessing 49.

 

[cperr017]

The passing score changes each test taking cycle based upon numerous factors. One of them being the scoring rate for each question. If too many people have failed an individual question, it is thrown out. If too many people are getting overall lower scores than usual, the passing score has to be reduced because overall the test was too "difficult". There is a curve and it is set by the cut score. We will have the lowest cut score in a generation. I am guessing 49.

Why do you think the cut score is going to be that low?  Last exam cycle it was around a 53/80 for structural, and it seems like it has been around that for many years.  Was this test a lot more difficult than previous tests? 

 

[tj_PE]

I thought it was more difficult but I was more prepared therefore I think I will still fail. I got 52 questions right in April. Structural.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[TN PE 4.0]

No way would it be 49.

Anybody want to take a guess what Water Resources will be? I say 55.

 

[JUST DO IT!]

No way would it be 49.

Anybody want to take a guess what Water Resources will be? I say 55.

My guesstimate is something in between 50-55.....

 

[TN PE 4.0]

My guesstimate is something in between 50-55.....

any reason for this? Was it that much harder than the others?

 

[Audi Driver P.E.]

No way would it be 49.

Anybody want to take a guess what Water Resources will be? I say 55.

Seems low.

 

[KS Mech]

When is @snobumPE going to make the map?!?!?!!?

 

[glockjacket P.E.]

When is @snobumPE going to make the map?!?!?!!?

Unnecessary for at least another 45-50 days. Calm down grasshopper 

 

[KS Mech]

Unnecessary for at least another 45-50 days. Calm down grasshopper 

Apparently I forgot to use the sarcasm font....................

 

[SE_FL]

Apparently I forgot to use the sarcasm font....................

That is unlocked for supporting members only.

 

[Brono]

Seems low.

It varies for each field of exam. It depends on difficulty of each of them. In civil Geo maybe in average more difficult than Env. So the cut score for Geo will be lower than Env. It should be sth like this. 

 

[Audi Driver P.E.]

It varies for each field of exam. It depends on difficulty of each of them. In civil Geo maybe in average more difficult than Env. So the cut score for Geo will be lower than Env. It should be sth like this. 

Of course.

 

[BarneyOnAcid]

Dude, they are all going to be lower. All of the recent grads came in to take the exam unprepared. They're employers paid for them to take it and they really weren't motivated because they still have 3 years to try, 6 to 7 more attempts before they have experience to be licensed. Look man this score is going to be lower than ever. What is the lowest recorded score by the way?