<p>I actually scored exceptionally on the SSAT while doing poorly in regular classes.
I received a B- to B average for math for all three years of middle school, but I received an 800 on the SSAT. My school gives advanced math, so I am learning Algebra 2 in 8th... Is that what caused my warped results?
I didn't understand why the questions were so easy.
And I usually get in the A- to A range in IRLA, but I got a 788 and 800 in verbal and reading comprehension (respectively).
I was wondering what kind of effect this had on how I was viewed as an applicant?
I'M SO SCARED...EVERYONE ELSE HAS REALLY GOOD GRADES AND LOW SSATs, NOT MEDIOCRE GRADES AND HIGH SSATs....
I understand that grades are often more heavily weighted than SSATs...so I am quite confused as to how I would be considered. :/</p>
<p>which schools are you applying to?</p>
<p>This is typical for kids running too fast without solid steps.</p>
<p>From experience, I would say that schools will want to see strong grades to support great SSAT scores. You don’t want to look like an underachiever.</p>
<p>ssat dont matter much</p>
<p>I quite agree with paobs12, but as you stated, if your school provides a higher level of difficulty in academics than any other normal school, I am sure the AOs will consider it, as I believe your principal is also asked to send a curriculum of the school, etc.</p>
<p>I have better grades than ssat, well is a 1998/2400 good? well thats an 83%</p>
<p>SSAT does matter much, but in different ways.</p>
<p>If you have high GPAs and people expect you to have high SSAT score, and finally you have high SSAT score, great! people will not doubt your studying ability. </p>
<p>If you have high GPAs and low SSAT grades, people doubt whether your current school gives A as a candy. </p>
<p>If you have low GPAs and high SSAT ( it rarely happens), in some sense it means your current school already fullfils your studying potential, and people think whether you really need go to a better school if not a worse one.</p>
<p>All in all, GPAs+SSAT can tell whether your studying potential has been reached or not.</p>
<p>Thanks for your feedback.
I just found out that my math averages actually work out to be A-, since I only received one B- last year and two B’s the year before. (I just took a dip, grade-wise)
I’ll take this into consideration.</p>
<p>Schools-- especially elementary and to some degree middle schools–vary WIDELY as to what constitutes A or B quality work. If you are attending a school which has developed a reputation with the prep schools they understand this. My S who is attending a school which grades very very stringently was told (I was in the room) by the interviewers for all three of the schools to which he is applying something along the lines of “You go to XXXXXX, they are extremely tough graders.” Obviously a transcript from xxxxx will be looked differently than from yyyyyyy school.<br>
The SSAT provides a check on these differences. Also as the PEA interview said–the admissions process, especially for preps (incoming 9th graders) is about potential and fit, not achievement-- that is too early to show in almost all cases. </p>
<p>So show potential–especially demonstrate intellectual curiosity. Your school’s report will be critical.</p>
<p>FLYHIGHFLY WROTE “If you have low GPAs and high SSAT ( it rarely happens), in some sense it means your current school already fulfills your studying potential, and people think whether you really need go to a better school if not a worse one.”</p>
<p>I disagree and I imagine this happens more than one imagines especially for the underachieving gifted kids. High SSAT and low GPA’s mean the kid isn’t living up to potential and may need better study habits. It doesn’t mean that they need to go to a worse school. It could also mean that the school isn’t interesting, so the kid doesn’t do the work (back to not living up to potential).</p>
<p>Just my personal opinion, no need to take it seriouly. There is no uniform ruler to measure kids’ potential. but most people agree it is time to slow down if the step a kid takes is not solid. </p>
<p>I remember when my son was in 1st grade, I would not let him move up to a high level of reading if he could not get 9 out of 10 questions correct.</p>
<p>It depends upon the OP’s school. Some schools do not grade generously. If the admissions officers know your school’s grading practices, I would not worry.</p>
<p>Thank you for the information. I suppose I am an example of an underachiever…I tend to get lower grades because I don’t participate in class since a lot of the times, I already know the material.
Anyway, thanks for the help!</p>
<p>Well just make sure your teacher recs will still be good. They play a pretty important role in the whole admissions process.</p>