Hi, is there a source for accurate SAT score reporting for boarding schools?
In looking at a few schools in preparation for application next year, I notice that there is a wide discrepancy in published SAT scores. For example, Hotchkiss does not publish its students SAT scores in its “info sheet”, yet Niche says they are 2100, and another online source says they are 1980.
Likewise, Niche has Andover at 2180 (60 points higher than Exeter (which I doubt)), but another source says they are 2040.
The scores from Niche would be least accurate. They are based on self-report, and often the sample size is too small to be meaningful. One local school that I know had TWO students reporting. Your best bet would be to get info directly from the schools, if you could find it. Here is the Hotchkiss profile for the class of 2016: https://www.hotchkiss.org/uploaded/documents/Academics/16_SchoolProfile_final.pdf. The middle 50% is 1970-2240.
Here are the profiles for the other two schools you mentioned. For last year, it looks like Andover was 2118, and Exeter was 2093. If you Google the school name, along with “college profile,” I suspect you’ll find most of the schools.
Don’t trust any websites that aren’t literally the school’s website. @calipops beat me to it! I know that a lot of schools post this stuff for college admissions officers to view. Choate has a pdf you can view with all of that info.
There is no conventional wisdom, other than the 2 are on par; there might be differences in perception or interpretation. Anyway the SAT scores are identical for all intents and purposes; from a statistics standpoint, the difference is meaningless.
Hi @skieurope I assume you are referring to PA vs. PEA scores, and Choate vs. D’field scores? Thanks!
One other question - why do SAT and ACT scores seem moderately uncorrelated? MX higher SAT scores (quite a bit) vs. Choate, but lower ACT scores? Just curious.
@TripleCrown33 I was referring to the earlier comment on Andover v. Exeter, although it applies to Deerfield v Choate as well.
I’d read nothing into this. I’m not familiar with what individual schools test policies are - mine left the choice up to the student. So 2 things to consider: 1/ Not all students take both so you’re not looking at apples to apples. 2/ Some students simply do better on one vs the other. In any case, the difference between the scores is not really that significant.
I also need to point out, that while the exercise is, IMO, a fun parlor game, I really hope nobody is choosing a school based on a 50 point SAT difference.
(I also need to point out, that while the exercise is, IMO, a fun parlor game, I really hope nobody is choosing a school based on a 50 point SAT difference.)
Hi @skieurope, for small differences, you are correct, but there is a significant correlation even among these amazing schools between SAT/ACT scores and matriculation to elite schools. Is that at a 25 point difference? No. 100 points? Yes. Should matriculation be a reason to choose one school over another - for some, clearly. For many others, no. Cheers.
@TripleCrown33 honestly my kids school can take zero credit for any competitive advantage in my kids SAT/ ACT scores. All 3 scored very high, but zero difference between my kids who went to top prep school and LPS. Also little to do with studying - as mine barely prepped. I do think talent search that allowed them to take full tests starting in 6th grade helped- as well as the fact they are natural born test takers.
All the top schools provide quality education, none teach to the test or even spend time prepping kids. The differences might be due to the student population variances each year.
