<p>As the most recent crop of SSAT scores has rolled in, I've observed a bit of a trend here on CC:PSA...one that I'll call "Oh crap, my/my child's scores aren't what I'd hoped...do/does I/he/she still have a chance at Exoverhotchmaryfield Academy?" </p>
<p>I've even gotten a few PMs from people on the subject.</p>
<p>So here's what I wanted to publicly suggest to folks who are applying to schools this year and in the future:</p>
<p>Instead of wondering if your sub-85th percentile scores are good enough for the most selective schools in the country...ask instead if perhaps you/your child are/is truly a strong candidate for these schools.</p>
<p>I'll even go so far as to suggest that perhaps people should not "fall in love" with any school (especially the most selective ones) until they know how they did on the SSAT. This is a variant on the old M10 adage "love the school that loves you". And to drag in another thread, I'd say this means not buying the t-shirt until you know you got in...</p>
<p>Yes, I realize that SSATs aren't the ONLY thing that matters in an app profile and that plenty of kids get into the most selective schools with sub-85th percentile* scores. But I bet you those kids each had a hook of some kind...</p>
<p>And I'll repeat something that was mentioned to me by AOs at two of the schools on everyone's short list, in reaction to my daughter's strong (well over 85th percentile) SSAT scores...it was something to the effect of "Well that shows she can do the work. Anything in the high 80s and up and the scores are a non-issue."*</p>
<p>*This is why I used the 85th percentile as a cutoff.</p>
<p>I agree all the way. If a child is a strong candidate, SSAT scores alone shouldn’t make it or break it. I just can’t be bought into the notion that one’s stellar performance in the classroom or strong teacher recommendation can be single-handedly overriden by something that was measured in one cold Saturday morning. If there’s discrepancy between school and test performance, it should be a matter of how you explain it to AO in a way s/he can appreciate.</p>
<p>True enough. The SSAT is a useful ‘shorthand’ for leading one to a starting list of schools. Then the real work begins - getting to know the schools, and adding and subtracting from the list. If the family feels strongly that there are circumstances which override an SSAT score, of course, they can certainly apply where they wish. However, singlemindedly trying to shoehorn a kid into the most selective school possible regardless of fit seems shortsighted.</p>
<p>While SSAT scores are not the single make-or-break criterion, they are very important. The SSAT is the one common thing that all candidates undergo. The test is a useful benchmarking tool, since middle schools nationwide and worldwide have such different levels of academic rigor; grade inflation is not uncommon; and EC’s are uneven in quality.</p>
<p>Yes, an applicant to an academically intense school may have a “hook” offsets a low SSAT score. However, an applicant that scores very low on any section of the SSAT should pragmatically weigh whether it is in his/her best interest to enroll in a school where he/she may struggle to hold his/her own academically with the other students.</p>
<p>**Once enrolled, a student’s academic performance relative to his/her peers in the school matters for college admissions. **</p>
<p>I completely agree. I believe it’s much better to attend a school that is a good fit, meaning that the student will thrive. To attend a prestigious school and hang on by the skin of the proverbial chin is not going to be fun for your child and not looked upon favorably by colleges and universities.</p>
<p>In my child’s case, the scores were very poor and a big surprise. Hence we didn’t bother applying to any of the popular schools mentioned on this site. We chose a school we thought would be a good fit and my child is thriving there with a 4.0 GPA. He may never test well in any of the high stakes testing. FWIW, ideal fit is more important than name.</p>
<p>My daughter’s SSAT scores weren’t as high as we expected given her grades, but they weren’t horrible. I figure since we are applying to a wide range of schools, as suggested by the secondary school advisor at her JBS, we should be okay. I figure she won’t be accepted where she is not a good fit. Our revisits should also help us a lot as well. A challenge is good. A continuous struggle to the extent that a kid can’t enjoy the learning and fun that extends beyond the classroom, renders that school a bad fit.</p>
<p>My daughter took the SSAT at her JBS last her because she was automatically signed up for it. She wasn’t planning on applying out for secondary schools until this year, so she will be applying for her sophomore year. She did not prepare at all. Last year her score was horrible. She took it this past November and did much better-a dramatic improvement, but still poorly compared to what we thought she would do. Objectively, her score wasn’t that bad. She will be taking it again this Saturday. Most people do improve each time they take it.</p>
<p>My point in starting this thread was that year after year (I guess I’m a veteran now) I see kids who post stuff like “I’m applying to Exeter, Andover, Choate, Hotchkiss, Deerfield, Groton, and Thacher, and I just got a 66th percentile score on the SSAT…do I still have a chance?”</p>
<p>Testing anomalies aside, the answer is a very qualified “Maybe”.</p>
<p>After all, not everyone who gets admitted to these ultra selective schools has a 99%…but if the average is 94%, think about where you might place in the pool of applicants and the the pool of matriculants. Probably not that high. And yes, I realize that SSAT scores aren’t the only thing the app committees consider.</p>
<p>I’ve written the following words in some form many times before: People unfamiliar with the process GROSSLY underestimate just how competitive it is to get into the most selective schools.</p>
<p>Still interested in responses re: significant change in score. Also, if so, to what do you attribute the improvement or decline in the subsequent SSAT score ?</p>
<p>P.S. To SevenDad: Great point & your initial post in this thread was very clear & accurate, but I’m trying to get info. for a related reason.</p>
<p>As far as SSAT scores going up: it’s really hard to gauge because the students are scored each year at an increasing level of difficulty. So, for example, my kid’s score went up 7 percent (if memory serves me), but he went from taking the lower level test to the higher level test–and as an eighth grader taking that test, he could miss more questions and still score a “perfect” 800 than he would have been able to do a year later. </p>
<p>With that caveat, he didn’t study the first time, and he used test prep books the second time. It would be silly for me to claim that studying made a huge difference; it could have simply been familiarity with the test or having an additional year of math. It might make a more significant difference to study if a kid doesn’t do well on those kinds of tests. Once they’re in the top 90 percent, it seems like more or less a crapshoot since one or two questions wrong will dramatically alter the test result–and there are all sorts of reasons why a kid might miss one or two questions.</p>
<p>My opinion is that large point increases are possible from one year to the next due to school classes taken (not test prep courses) & from reduced test anxiety & an additional year of maturation. I would not discourage a student who scores in the high 60s or low 70s from retaking IF that student is an “A” student. In short, any “A” student should not let a disappointing SSAT score affect their self-image or their target schools IF willing to retake the SSAT.</p>
<p>Axelrod: I would agree, with one caveat…that they are getting “As” at a relatively rigorous school. There can be a big difference in what merits an “A” grade from school to school.</p>
<p>Barring severe test anxiety, most test scores should fluctuate within a certain range. Test anxiety for most students can be ameliorated by a few rounds of serious practice tests.</p>
<p>Because test takers are evaluated within a grade-gender band, they could improve in raw scores after one year but percentile scores might not. On the contrary, I read many posts by those who had better percentile scores last year than the current year. After all, it’s not like you’re the only person improving; many others improve too:)</p>
<p>From my experience, the score “might” be a make it or break it at some schools, but not others. And you’d be surprised that some ACRONYM schools also will look past it if the rest of the application is strong.</p>
<p>Let’s face it - not everyone who is bright performs well on a test under artificial time constraints. Schools recognize students are auditory, kinesthetic, visual, tactile learners and not all perform the same on a one-size fits all test.</p>
<p>Which is why schools are now reporting stats such as the “middle” percentile rankings for incoming students. You can’t assume that a rural child who has strong work ethics but not guidance and no test prep won’t perform the same as a kid who comes from a suburban or private school background who has had more entrance prep resources.</p>
<p>And having watched last nights expose on NBC about cheating and how high tech it’s going, standardized tests are just another watermark - nothing more. Good kids with perfect scores get turned down all the time. And good kids with sub 80 scores sometimes get admitted because their record suggested the test wasn’t an accurate indicator.</p>
<p>Do your best - learn to work under the odd rules which is - pace yourself to answer practice questions at one minute or less per question. That will help. If one strategy fails, try another to find one that works. Then DO NOT practice the night before the test. Get some rest, get up early and eat, then bring snacks to keep your blood sugar and energy going.</p>
<p>Then let the chips fall where they may. I’ve known kids who got their dream choices without having the best scores on the planet. And yes - straight A students with 60’s and 70’s are populating some top flight schools these days and doing just fine academically. (exception not the rule so don’t assume).</p>
<p>Axelrod: We had a meeting this fall at my daughter’s JBS. The secondary school counselor, who is fabulous and has been doing this forever, said secondary schools are familiar with our school’s program (as well as many Jr. boarding schools). They are also well aware of how difficult it is to be a high honors student and also take on multiple leadership roles in the boarding community. That being said, I think that a lower SSAT score is likely to have less of an impact when all other variables are strong when a student is coming from a school/program that already has students at the secondary school and from a school they are familiar with in terms of the above.</p>