Methodology changelog
A record of meaningful changes to this site’s content, calculator methodology, and editorial decisions. New entries are added when we update something material — not for minor edits, typos, or cosmetic changes.
Why we keep this log
This page tracks meaningful changes to our methodology and content over time. We keep it for three reasons:
- Accountability. When we get something wrong, we want it to be easy for readers to see that we acknowledged the error and fixed it, rather than silently revising and hoping nobody noticed.
- Transparency about reasoning. When we change a calculation, an estimate, or an editorial position, we want readers to understand why — not just see new numbers on the page.
- Building trust over time. Sites that don’t track their changes are easier to manipulate retrospectively. Keeping a public record is a small commitment that makes the work easier to trust.
What goes in this log
We add entries for changes that materially affect what readers see or rely on:
- Changes to the score conversion table or the calculator algorithm
- Corrections to factual claims about specialized high schools, cutoffs, or admissions process
- Updates to historical cutoff data as new official information becomes available
- Substantive revisions to scoring or admissions explanations after reader feedback
- Editorial position changes (e.g., updated guidance based on new test format)
We don’t log every typo fix, navigation update, design tweak, or routine content addition. Those happen continuously and aren’t the kind of changes a changelog is for.
How to report something
If you spot something that should be corrected, email [email protected]. Include:
- The URL of the page
- The specific claim or number you’re flagging
- What you think is correct, ideally with a source we can verify
We read every correction request and respond when we make a change.
Changes, most recent first
Site rebuild — full editorial review and methodology publication
The current version of the site represents a substantial rebuild of the prior version. Key changes:
- All editorial content rewritten. Earlier templated content has been replaced with original writing reviewed by Elisa Ahmed, our Education Editor. The prior version included some material that we couldn’t fully verify; the current site does not include any unverified credentials or fabricated statistics.
- Methodology published in full. The score conversion algorithm, including all anchor points, interpolation choices, and accuracy caveats, is now documented on our methodology page.
- Practice test built on real IRT. The practice test now uses an actual 3-Parameter Logistic IRT implementation rather than the simplified model in the prior version.
- Cutoff data updated through 2025–26. 5-year historical cutoff data added to the cutoff scores page.
Future entries will follow this format: category tag (Editorial, Calculator, Cutoffs, Methodology, Correction), date, summary heading, and description of what changed and why. Calculator and methodology entries will link to the specific anchor points or formulas updated.