<p>Do the admissions officers have different standards for the tests and think of them differently or do they think of them as the same exact tests that have the same exact scores? Also, if a school "prefers" one test over another does that mean if you took the test that they didn't prefer you would have lesser chance of being accepted into that school? thanks for any replies!</p>
<p>Schools that say they accept either one should accept either one without bias. Whether that’s really the case, I can’t say. But most admissions officers will tell you that test scores are, in any event, a very small piece of the picture . . . so if your scores are in that vague range of “good enough,” it shouldn’t really matter which test you take.</p>
<p>From my family’s experience, it does not matter at all for schools that accept both. I had a sibling who applied with the ISEE and recieved positive admissions decisions. Also, taking the ISEE does not mean you have to score higher than on the SSAT - I think that they are weighted equally. Admissions officers understand that their school is not the only one on your list. I’m assuming that you are also applying to a private, day school. Economically, it would make more sense to just take the ISEE as opposed to taking both tests. However, if you really are concerned, call the day schools that you are applying to and ask if they will except the SSAT - they may be flexible and willing to make allowances. Hope this helps :)</p>