<p>Kind of in a pinch right now. SSAT in three days, essay are 3/4 of the way done, and I still need to mail out recs for the 8th. My big question is, if I have a 93 overall percentile in the ssat with mid 90s for two scores and an 85 in one, are these scores acceptable for schools with high average ssat scores like 93 and 87? Or should I do a load of prep these last three days for the January test?</p>
<p>SSAT not worth retaking, your scores are VERY fine. Concentrate on the essays. They give you a little room with the date to receive the recommendations.</p>
<p>SSAT definitely not worth retaking</p>
<p>Your scores are absolutely fine, especially if you have a good grade (B+ or above) in the subject where you got an 85. Focus on getting these essays finished and harassing your teachers for those recs (I’ll be doing the same). The SSAT is not worth obsessing over once you have an above-average score, especially if you use the extra time to make your essays phenomenal.</p>
<p>Ditto, ditto and another ditto.</p>
<p>I think we need a sticky telling kids in big bold letters that once their SSAT score is at or above the average for the schools to which they are applying, they should focus on other parts of the application. For those kids who scored 90% or above, asking about re-taking the exam is pathological. Parents who pose this question will be flogged.</p>
<p>Waterboarding leaves no marks</p>
<p>Forgive me if I am mistaken, but the highest SSAT average is 92nd percentile at Andover. 93>92</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure that was the median score for that school. Either way, that means that people below that score got in as well and you’re above it so don’t worry about it. As long as your score isn’t too low, the essays are the really important parts of the application. An interviewer told me that he had poor SSAT scores but his essays were excellent and he still got into the boarding school he wanted, which was one of the top boarding schools.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s a median.</p>
<p>Conversely, 99% SSAT will not guarantee admission, even with good grades, essays, extracurriculars, and a good interview.</p>
<ul>
<li>a million</li>
</ul>