#23

[md90]

What is the normal distribution?














it's a "bell curve" or Gaussian curve... -3,-2,-1,0,+1,+2,+3 standard deviation.. everything to the left is below SD and to the right is above SD; numbers are 34, 13.5,2.4,0.15, OR 68%, 95%, 99.7%.

[wcb22]

you can see why it can be very annoying when people post on here that they are in the 87th percentile when they get an 87 on step 1. no, actually, you are in the 50th percentile, because that's the median point of the gaussian curve.

even people who get 255/99, are in the top 5th percentile (2 SD away from 215, with a SD of 20).

so if you get a 99, doesn't necessarily mean you are in the 99th percentile, unless you have a 271/99, which if you get, i will personally drive to your house and hand you $100 bill.

[md90]

that's motivation for you to do well on the step1 exam... $100 from wcb22!!!