  Past studies have empirically demonstrated a surprising agreement between
gravitational waveforms computed using adiabatic-driven-inspiral point-particle
black hole perturbation theory (ppBHPT) and numerical relativity (NR) following
a straightforward calibration step, sometimes referred to as $\alpha$-$\beta$
scaling. Specifically focusing on the quadrupole mode, this calibration
technique necessitates only two time-independent parameters to scale the
overall amplitude and time coordinate. In this article, part of a special
issue, we investigate this scaling for non-spinning binaries at the equal mass
limit. Even without calibration, NR and ppBHPT waveforms exhibit an unexpected
degree of similarity after accounting for different mass scale definitions.
Post-calibration, good agreement between ppBHPT and NR waveforms extends nearly
up to the point of the merger. We also assess the breakdown of the
time-independent assumption of the scaling parameters, shedding light on
current limitations and suggesting potential generalizations for the
$\alpha$-$\beta$ scaling technique.
