Fun Facts

Round Numbers and SAT Scores

 

 

Researchers Uri Simonsohn and Devin Pope conducted an experiment to find out whether round numbers act as performance goals for test takers.

"We found that high school juniors were at least 10 to 20 percentage points more likely to retake the SAT if their total score ended in 90 (e.g., 1190) than if it ended in the most proximate 00 (e.g., 1200)."

Turns out that round number scores influence retaking decisions because of their effect on motivation. In other words, a student will try harder the second time if the first score is 580 rather than 610.

It’s like pricing something at $9.99 rather than $10.00 – you’re more likely to purchase at $9.99.

 

Illustrations by Jennifer Orkin Lewis

 
5 Comments | posted May 13th, 2011
 
 
  • http://blog.pwnthesat.com PWN the SAT

     Anecdotally, this is SO FREAKING TRUE.

  • Anonymous

    Fascinating. Does it work the same for children? That is, you are more likely to stop at two... and three is truly unstable?

    • http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

      no idea!

  • Jen

    Absolutely.  Don't you sort of just feel it looking at those numbers too?  I think it has more to do with moving that hundreds place though -- only 20 more points on that 580 and you turn in to a Six Hundred, which everyone knows is far better than a Five Hundred!
     

    • http://www.perfectscoreproject.com Debbie Stier

      Well, I'll let you know how this works out for me, as my son scored in a place that "studies show" would motivate him to take it again.

      But as of today, he seems not so inclined!

      My mom says it's like childbirth.....he'll forget.

 

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