The SAT score data comes from the 2018 distribution, which is provided at College Board Report. The ACT score data is available at ACT Report. We also acknowledge that the actual ACT score distribution is not nearly normal. However, since the topic is very accessible, we decided to keep the context and examples.
The distribution parameters are based on a sample of possums from Australia and New Guinea. The original source of this data is as follows. Lindenmayer DB, et al. 1995. Morphological variation among colonies of the mountain brushtail possum, Trichosurus caninus Ogilby (Phalangeridae: Marsupiala). Australian Journal of Zoology 43: 449-458.
Unfortunately, we donβt currently have additional information on the source for the 30% statistic, so donβt consider this one as fact since we cannot verify it was from a reputable source.
The 15% smoking rate in the US figure is close to the value from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, which reports a value of 14% as of the 2017 estimate: CDC Report