<p>Hi! I'm new to this website, so I"m not exactly sure as to how it works yet. Basically, I am freaking out right now! I took the December SSATs, and scored quite poorly on them... 85% for Verbal, 83% for reading (which is pretty weird considering I'm an avid reader), and if that wasn't enough a 37% (!!!) for math. I studied a LOT over winter break and I mean a LOT. Every day: 5-6 hours of sitting at my desk, learning strategies, and taking practice test after practice test. I'm applying to Lawrenceville, and so I need a good score. Aside from my SSATS, I'm a well rounded person: I've volunteered at an Autistic school, got one of my stories published in Stone Soup Magazine (for writing), won three Latin competitions, and have straight-a grades except for math where I have a B+. My interview went pretty well... but these SSATS are really stressing me out. I took today's SSATS and found them really hard. I have no idea if I did well. If worst comes to worst, do you think Lawrenceville would accept someone who has my December SSAT scores? Any help would be really appreciated. Thank you!!!</p>
<p>According to boardingschoolreview.com, Lawrenceville’s average SSAT scores are in the 75%-85% range. (Don’t take that as gospel). Your verbal and reading scores are right there. Yes your math score is low, but your total score must be closer to 75% than 37%.</p>
<p>Frankly, I can’t say exactly how any one school looks at scores, but from experience with 2 kids who went to BS, and extensive research, my opinion is that your low math score does not disqualify you. Schools do not make their decisions on scores alone and if there are magic cutoff scores, they keep them secret.</p>
<p>You sound like you have good qualities that a school would be looking for, so relax. At this point, there’s nothing more you can do, and I believe you are still in the running.</p>
<p>It doesn’t sound like you applied anywhere else, but I hope you did (or will–there’s still time). Lawrenceville is highly selective and many wonderful applicants will not be accepted. There are many other great schools.</p>
<p>Are the SSAT percentiles made based on how other students did, or are they based on a scale that’s already made?</p>
<p>Percentile by definition indicates where you stand among all the test takers (in this case from the past three years).</p>
<p>So they don’t depend on the difficulty of a specific test?</p>
<p>The tests are designed to be similar in difficulty. They acknowledge that a student might get slightly different scores if taking the test more than once, so they give a range where they expect your score would fall. SharingGift is correct, your percentile represents your standing compared to several years’ worth of tests and test-takers.</p>
<p>Sorry about replying to this so late, but I interviewed at Lawrenceville recently and my interviewer said that SSAT scores really don’t matter much with them. They mostly just look at your grade sand such.</p>
<p>I also interviewed at Lawrenceville a couple months ago. My interviewer said the average ssat was around an 85. It would be best to have a score of 80% overall or above…but many applicants who are accepted score less</p>
<p>is something you can not learn in one night. unless you have been always good at math since Kindergarten, it will be harder and harder for you. Once it tanks, no way to save it.</p>