I got my SSAT scores back today and I know I did really bad but I don’t know what to do I am a sophomore girl right now and here are my scores:
Verbal: 57% 670
Quantitative: 20% 701
Reading: 51% 662
Percentile 40% Average Score 2033
I applied to NMH, Stevenson, and The Athenian School
I really want to get into baording school, but I would really like some advice right now.
SSAT score aren’t everything! I received scores slightly higher than yours, but in the same range, and was admitted to my top two schools. If you can retake the SSAT then go for it! Otherwise just make sure the rest of your application is strong. @beckyylin
Skiergirl is right, SSAT is not everything and you’ve applied to some great safer schools too. By the way, you can always retake your SSATs, it took my friend 3 times to get a 91% on his SSAT (This is actually his account). He got around the 60 percentile twice. By the way, the Athenian school, to my knowledge, does not require SSAT scores.
SSAT cannot guarantee your acceptance but the low scores can always deny you.
If you can meet the deadline, try again. You may want to try the SSAT prep courses outside the school. I believe your scores have much room to improve.
A 40 percentile score isn’t very good. All those posts about the SSAT scores not being that important - ignore those. They’re very important. Work on SSAT, take practice tests, memorize vocab, work on math.
@skiergirl777 what schools did you apply to?
I applied to Groton, Deerfield and SPS
@skiergirl777 will you be skiing for St Paul’s or Deerfield? Might this have made up for your SSAT scores? @beckyylin SSAT scores matter heed the advice of @mrnephew
Your percentiles/score seem off. Is a 2000+ score really only 40th percentile? Seemed when my child took a year or so ago that # would have yielded a mid 70th percentile. Has something changed?
@PSM2013 Was your child younger than me? Because I’m a sophomore right now.
@skiergirl77 Did you have a really strong application? I wish I can get in like you even with a lower SSAT 
I would be wary of taking one person’s experience as the norm. If you scroll through the statistics threads here you will see lots of kids with SSAT scores above the average of the schools where they were applying who didn’t get in. On the plus side you have chosen schools that don’t have the highest incoming SSAT scores, but yours are not going to help you out. Also, you are a current sophomore, do you know how many spots those schools have for incoming Jrs? or are you applying to repeat? Are you full pay or FA, all of those things will matter too. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Good luck to you
@LifeLongNYer They didn’t tell me specifically how many spots they have, but they told me they welcome me to submit an application. I’m assuming that means that there’s still space available? I am not applying for repeat and I am paying full tuition. Do I really have no chance for the boarding schools I listed?
I found you wrote this yesterday. I guess all the school that you mentioned have already announced the results.
Did a quick research as follows: Stevenson has about 68% SSAT scores (average) with an acceptance rate at 40%.
The Athenian School has an accept rate of 43% (No SSAT %). NMH has 29% accept rate and 65% SSAT percentile.
These schools are not the toughest schools to get in. (They are very good schools though) Nevertheless, your SSAT score is way below their average and you need to improve the scores.
It is off-topic, but the Athenian School in (Danville, CA?) is not truly a typical boarding school. It has only 14% of boarding students and if you expect the similar vibe and programs there, you might be disappointed. As far as I know, mostly international students there are boarders.
My child was younger. I guess that explains it. R u repeating a grade? If u r, u should have your percentiles calculated based on your new grade, not your old grade.
My friend got into a top school when I didn’t. My SSAT average= 91% Hers=45% Difference? Her essays and she had a sports “hook”