Apply the square-root curving method to a raw test score.
The square-root curve is a common single-score curving method: take the square root of the raw score (out of 100) and multiply by 10. Formula: curved = √raw × 10.
This method boosts lower scores more than higher ones — a 100 stays 100, but a 50 jumps to about 71, and a 25 jumps to 50. The lower the original score, the bigger the relative boost.
This is one specific, widely-referenced curving method among several that instructors use — a flat-point curve (adding the same number of points to every score) is a different, equally common approach with different effects on the grade distribution.
A raw score of 64 curves to √64 × 10 = 80 — a 16-point boost.
The square root function compresses the top of the scale and stretches the bottom — the mathematical effect is that scores further from 100 get proportionally larger boosts than scores already close to it.
No — flat-point curves, curving to a target class average, and standard-deviation-based curves are all used by different instructors. This tool covers specifically the square-root method.
No — √100 × 10 = 100 exactly, so a perfect score stays perfect under this particular curving method.