<p>Would it be better to submit both scores ---- or should we just send in just the December score? The latter has more "even distribution" across three areas, while the October score has reading score lower than 90%. Apparently, the AO's put heavier emphasis on the reading score than the other two, so we are hesitant to submit both scores. Not sure how true this rumor is, though. </p>
<p>On the other hand, sending in both scores COULD mean greater reliability on the overall score since he came out with 98% in both cases. In addition, two 800 scores on the October test are "too good to throw out", some have told us. Aaargh.</p>
<p>Any advice on our decision? I would appreciate it!</p>
<p>Please tell me why u had your kid retake the test w a 98th percentile score. This has to be one of the most excruciatingly obsessive things I’ve ever read in this forum.</p>
<p>The schools won’t care which of those scores u send them.</p>
<p>I agree it’s obsessive, and the second testing was totally unnecessary, but having both sets of scores to choose from, I would go with the 2nd, more evenly distributed set…Just because I think an 86% looks ever so slightly less than stellar, while the difference between the 98th and 99th percentiles is insignificant.</p>
<p>I would send both sets. Score report says you have another set on file and they will think they are worse than your first set if you send the second.</p>
<p>I agree with ViolaMom12. Show them that your first scores weren’t horrible. A ten percentile difference (even with above average scores) is a large jump. Most likely, the AOs will either assume that you were having an off day the first time or that you prepped to raise the score. Either way, it shows positive attributes: persistence and intelligence. Additionally, the second test corroborates your strong performance in math and verbals. It seems like a good idea to send both scores.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your advices. Looking at the pros and cons, I do see a value in sending both scores.</p>
<p>I am usually not this obsessive-compulsive. In fact, I didn’t even bother getting a tutor or sending my DD to any of the prep programs before these SSAT’s… We were very happy with the first score, but then the school counselor was concerned about the “low” reading score that didn’t quite fit with her academic profile. Sigh.</p>
<p>I am finding out that applying to boarding schools is (almost) as hair-raising as college admissions. Despite it all, we have had quite a fun so far — Of course, those essays are a different story.</p>
<p>Your school counselor should be waterboarded for unnecessarily putting your family through the test again. I’ll hold her down for u, while u pour…</p>
<p>I would not send both sets. If I were the AO, I’d say to myself, “Jeez, why did the parents make her take them a second time?” I’d wonder if I was admitting a Tiger family who would be making the kid miserable if she got an A- instead of an A, or potential helicopter parents, or both. Just send the 12/13 results.</p>
<p>Maybe it’s not so horribly obsessive if one does not realize how competitive the pool of kids taking the SSAT is. It says so on the score report, but still, if you are new to the prep school application game and you are used to seeing your kid score 99’s on standardized tests, seeing something in the 80’s could be jarring. Not all middle school guidance counselors are intimately familiar with the SSAT, either. Some public middle schools send very few students to prep schools, and are clueless about SSAT and the prep school app process. No one at our public middle school seemed to know much about it, and at first, I thought a score in the 80’s was “low”, too.</p>
<p>You could just say that the kid didn’t feel confident after the first test so you registered her for the second before getting the scores. Then she took it again just because it was already in place. That might mitigate the obsessive helicopter parent thing. Just a thought.</p>
<p>Thanks all for the helpful comments – I even got a couple of private messages too, but I couldn’t reply because I am a newbie here. They are all incredibly helpful.</p>
<p>Our counselor is far from a novice, actually. I wish I could provide more details on the context, but let’s just say that my D is applying from an area with abnormal interest in boarding schools (in fact, expert parents on this board have actually come up with a discount factor for our region!). More than a handful of her classmates have SSAT scores in high '90’s, so you will have to understand/forgive our (and the counselor’s) concerns. Believe me, they are quite legitimate.</p>
<p>My spouse and I both hold full-time, professional jobs and cannnot spend much time on our D’s academic endeavors, let alone tiger-parenting. I think it will be quite clear from her list of EC’s (or lack thereof), so I won’t worry too much from appearing as a psycho-helicopter parent. </p>
<p>This is a great board. I hope to become a contributing member myself once the dust settles.</p>
<p>tc9897, this is a great board; I found it invaluable last year, and now want to contribute and help others. It’s not always the most welcoming to new member, LOL, but a great resource nonetheless. Good luck to your daughter!</p>
In fact, I didn’t even bother getting a tutor or sending my DD to any of the prep programs before these SSAT’s… We were very happy with the first score, but then the school counselor was concerned about the “low” reading score that didn’t quite fit with her academic profile. Sigh.</p>