Re-Take the SSAT?

<p>I took the SSAT two times. Once this October and again this April.</p>

<p>My April score was overall 89%
Math 68%
Reading 89%
Verbal 99%</p>

<p>I did quite poorly in Math and will be applying to many schools like Lawrenceville, Phillips Academy Andover, Hotchkiss, and many more.</p>

<p>I know the Andover average SSAT score in 94% and I really want to get accepted so I'm worried about whether I should re-take the SSAT next October. (but I will then have to take the Upper-Level version and the one I took was Lower-Level which is probably easier.) Or whether I should just take it the end of this June and work really really hard. Or, if I should just not retake it.</p>

<p>Please help me I'm really lost and worried with other issues on my plate.</p>

<p>SSAT counts scores for one academic year and for high school you need to take the upper level. This years scores are kept until June. If you are applying to school next year (for acceptance for fall 2014) you will have to take them again next fall.</p>

<p>Yes, you will have to retake it in the fall, but remember that the SSAT is only one part of your application. You may want to practice math (using SSAT or other practice guides), but really, your scores are very good overall.</p>

<p>Wait, so I’m applying for 9th grade and I’m currently in 7th… Does that mean if I retake in June I won’t be able to submit them for my application?</p>

<p>You may want to check with the schools first if they would accept the previous school year’s SSAT. Some schools specify on the website that they want the current school year’s score, that is, October through January.
You need to submit the upper level test score.</p>

<p>If you already registered for June test, you can email SSAT and ask to change yours to upper level test.
If you haven’t, you can simply choose 8th grade as your grade when you register to take the upper level test.</p>

<p>If you retake it in June and submit the score, the schools will receive all three of your scores, October, April, June.
If you retake it in Fall, the school will receive only one score.</p>

<p>payn4ward is correct to check with the schools you are considering. The schools my son applied to wanted current year scores (he took them in October of 8th grade for 9th grade application).</p>

<p>payn4ward,</p>

<p>I guess I will take the October test. I will simply have to study even HARDER to raise my score to at least 95%. But as you said, if I take it in October my schools won’t receive my previous scores this school year? (They weren’t quite that good as you can tell.)</p>

<p>I believe so.</p>

<p>You can email/call SSAT to confirm it.</p>

<p>As others said, your scores are quite good and SSAT is only one piece of application puzzle.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>While you’ll be taking the upper level test, you’ll be compared to other 8th graders, so the curve may be a bit easier. My kid did better, percentage wise, on the upper level test. So I wouldn’t worry about the level of the test. Most of the schools my kid applied to wanted a fall or winter test. I’d actual recommend taking a later test; sometimes a little more math under your belt can make a difference.</p>

<p>Thanks! This really helped out!</p>