<p>This is a very interesting article relevant to this topic:</p>
<p>Is there a source somewhere that lists SSAT range for schools. I seem to remember seeing one, but not sure if it was "official" or not. Something that might say for example...80% of accepted students at Deerkiss scored above 90 percentile, etc.</p>
<p>pomegranate - some schools list that on the web site in addition to or instead of an "average" or "mean" SSAT score.<br>
I have not seen anywhere that lists schools all in one place in that manner. BSR has some averages but they are not always up to date or accurate.</p>
<p>The admissions officer at Exeter told me that if my score was over 80% than it's irrelevant and doesn't affect my application.</p>
<p>This is good news. Very good news. Now, I'm not saying that over 90% means it's still irrelevant, it'll definitely HELP your chances, but being in the low 80's doesn't <em>hurt</em> your chances.</p>
<p>And this is from the source, so to me this is pretty potent info.</p>
<p>Would an admissions officer honestly say, "if your score is below 90 then your chances are shot to hell?" First of all they arn't shot to hell if you get below a 90... And he would lose alot of good applicants... Maybe you have an 80% but are an all around wonderful person? Plus they encourage applications...</p>
<p>Sorry... that was the voice of reason in my head trying to get out.</p>
<p>What the Exeter comment tells me is that once an unhooked applicant passes the 80% threshhold, the SSAT score won't work against him/her.</p>
<p>BUT, if it's over 80%, what makes you so special that Exeter would want you?</p>
<p>If it's under 80% and you have a hook, then you're already special and your SSAT score won't necessarily work against you.</p>
<p>Remember, these schools could fill their ranks with 99% SSAT scorers. You need to show them what you have to offer the school community. Being really, really smart gets boring.</p>
<p>Once again, I say (I'm a broken record) - Scores in the 80's PUT YOU IN THE GAME EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!
I REPEAT...EVERYWHERE.
If that's not clear, that means every single prep school in the world.<br>
If that's not clear, it means and includes Exeter, Andover, Deerfield, St Pauls, Milton, Groton, and anyother school you can name. Ever. </p>
<p>Also, the difference between a 90 and a 99 is meaningless. The schools will not look at your application any closer with a 99 vs. a 90. Really.</p>
<p>What's a broken record? Is that anything like a carbon copy? ;)</p>
<p>neatoburrito--it's more like when the 8-track gets stuck and keeps playing the same song over and over! :)</p>
<p>According to Andover (when we attended a presentation), DO NOT get stressed out about SSAT scores. They can easily fill the spots with all 99% SSAT score but they don't. It is far more important to let your personality come through in your application and be a nice kid. </p>
<p>Quote: When I look at a candidate, I always ask myself "do I want this kid living 2 floors above me and spend time with my own kids?"</p>
<p>Bumpity bump!</p>
<p>Bumping for my lamb :] (ahem, ahem)</p>
<p>I am a freshman from New Orleans, Louisiana. I scored in the 73 percentile on the ssat and was wondering what my chances of getting into Exeter, Deerfield, Lawerenville, and Taft are like. I play tennis as extra curricular and am ranked top 5 in Louisiana.</p>
<p>if you are ranked number 5 in the the state of lousianna, i wouldn't worry about SSAT scores.</p>
<p>SSAT's are not the deciding factor, but it does play key role.
last year, i had pretty low SSAT scores, and when i was interviewing for some schools - the interviewers looked at my application and told me that SSAT still matters. </p>
<p>it's more important that you are a good human being and you have things you can contribute to the school, but the bottomline is, SSAT matter. or else they would not have it as part of the application process. </p>
<p>but with this said, for the op, i would take the test one more time and maybe tryin get a higher score. it might be a little extra work now, but come time for the decision time, it just might boost your chances. it's only an opinion of mine.</p>
<p>You'll need that tennis hook and strong recs/essays. You can't really have a weak SSAT AND weak recs/essays. That hook can help with the SSAT... But you need something to show strong academic effort and such. They don't want an athlete with no brains. At boarding school you are a "STUDENT ATHLETE".</p>
<p>No you cannot get into a good school with a score 50-70. 80 is the minimum at the most prestigious chools. Unless you consider yourself a fantastic applicant I would shoot for 90+. and Linda S, you need higher than mid 80's to get in at the best. 90 at least...</p>
<p>^^ thats straight out wrong.</p>
<p>wrong benevolent! 80 is the mininum. 70, you need a major hook. other than that...........your out of the playing field</p>
<p>and does it have an effect if I scored a 56 on math, 54 on verbal, and a 96 on reading.
...does that inconsistent score hurt me?
and on the math I missed none of the reasoning questions but many of the algebra, geometry</p>
<p>@tennis: urgh except for the case where you're an international applicant, but they only tolerate low verbal/reading score for int'l, they don't for math... that's just what i got from several interviews with adcoms...</p>