<p>I just received my SSAT scores today, and I'm kinda puzzled by something. They gave me 2 set of scores:</p>
<p>Estimated National Percentile</p>
<p>Verbal 98%
Math 94%
Reading 98%</p>
<p>And:</p>
<p>Your SSAT Scores:</p>
<p>Verbal 98%
Math 59%
Reading 98%</p>
<p>Total Score: 95%</p>
<p>My question is as follows: Which scores do bs look at? My total score? All my scores? My estimated national percentile? As you can see, there's a big difference between my real math score and my estimated one, so it makes a big difference to me which one they look at most.</p>
<p>Your scores are great overall, although the math is a little weak. Where are you applying? For which grade?</p>
<p>Estimated National Percentile is just saying that if everyone in the US took the SSAT this is probably what your scores would be like. I wish it worked like that!</p>
<p>Estimated National Percentile is what they project your score would be like if a broader cross-section of students took the test nationally instead of the limited number of actual SSAT test-takers who pretty much know going in to the test that they are extremely bright and gifted and -- by and large -- are academically oriented such that they seek entrance to a selective college prep school.</p>
<p>They're guessing what your score would be if this test was taken by the same humongous group of people in your grade who will eventually take the SSAT as juniors and seniors. It's a guess and, I think, highly speculative. I think the purpose is to give you some perspective of how selective the SSAT pool of test-takers is. When your scores are in the 90s, that's hard to see. When your scores are in the 40s and 50s, it's easier to see. Still, I hope that those numbers aren't used in any admission-critical manner. I don't think they are -- not when the other numbers represent "hard" data that can be used for comparison among the applicants.</p>