Exam Dates

[notsmartatall]

I wonder there will be a different passing ratio if taking the exam earlier than later?

For example, assuming 22 corrects to get a 6, will it make a different if I am taking on May 5th or May 11th? I would think it should be the same; but my concern is that SOA will only pass a limited numbers of candidates (i.e. 40% passing), assuming on May 8th, there are about 35% passing candidates, will SOA generates harder questions so that they can limit another 5% candidates passing from May 9th to 11th?

Any thoughts?

[gracyjoe]

Good thing I am taking it on May 8th!

I believe the questions are pulled from an already established pool that is not manipulated during the exam process.

What worries me is that the numbers were pretty good last testing so there may be much harder questions for all of us this time.

[tommie frazier]

i think your concerns are not worth worrying about. the pool of questions is set, as is the system that randomly generates each exam. they are really really reallly unlikely to manipulate it mid-sitting. if they do something like that, it would be between sittings, not between may 5th and may 11th. decisions like that (macro level type things) are likely the responsibility of an exam committee, made up of working professionals. they aren't sitting around waiting for results to roll in every hour so they can manipulate them-they are likely working for an employer who wants them to do some work.

[notsmartatall]

Originally Posted by tommie frazier

i think your concerns are not worth worrying about. the pool of questions is set, as is the system that randomly generates each exam. they are really really reallly unlikely to manipulate it mid-sitting. if they do something like that, it would be between sittings, not between may 5th and may 11th. decisions like that (macro level type things) are likely the responsibility of an exam committee, made up of working professionals. they aren't sitting around waiting for results to roll in every hour so they can manipulate them-they are likely working for an employer who wants them to do some work.

I absolutely understand what you mean; however, I don't think they need "people" to sit around and wait for the results, but "programs" can easily do that ... that's what I am worry about ... you don't need anyone if answers and results are collected through computers ...

Besides, Gracyjoy brings up a point ... the passing rate was pretty high last time ... so ... Oh well, I think I am thinking too much ...

[tommie frazier]

i mean that they would not open themselves to claims of it becoming progressively easier/harder within the same window by seconding the job to a dynamic program. after the sitting, before the next one, they as a committee could tweak the algorithm I guess. but I consider the chances of the computer trying to level out an overall pass ratio on the fly as something they would not do.