<p>So, I took an SSAT practice test and it was... alright. Since it was only a practice test, and not an actual test, I didn't get the national percentile averages, but I did get my raw scores and they are as followed:
Quantitative: 697 (Ew, ew, ew, I know)
Reading: 769
Verbal: 744
I thought I did okay on reading and verbal, but my math score is enough to want to puke... Is this "good" or "bad" in the grand scheme of things... I can't really tell based on other people's past postings (Hah, talk about alliteration)
Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Scores are slightly higher across the board than my younger daughter, who ended up with an 86%-ile overall. Of course it depends on how difficult the test form is relative to others…but I’d guess you are high 80s with that score (based on 8th grade test sitting).</p>
<p>The “goodness” or “badness” of it all really depends on what the average admitted scores of the schools you’re applying to are. You applied last cycle, right? How did this year’s practice compare to last year’s actual? </p>
<p>I don’t know the schools you are considering, but I wouldn’t stress. Even for the most selective schools, I think you’re close enough to whatever threshold they might consider admissible (I was told by two AOs at superselective schools that anything in the high 80s would mean “scores would not be a deciding factor”).</p>
<p>I plan on applying to Taft, Loomis, Choate, Porter’s, Westminster, Tabor and Concord. My SSAT scores from 8th grade were 62%ile, if I remember correctly (I didn’t take the test in 9th grade as I wasn’t applying out) Could I show the improvement on my past test from when I was younger to the improvement now? Would they take the change in consideration even though the past tests are no longer “active”? @SevenDad</p>
<p>Sorry to say, they will not care about the scores you got 2 years ago. To get your percentile numbers, your scores wil be compared to others in your class (sounds like 10th grade), with some adjustment for gender, the actual test that specific day (the scores of others who take it that day), and whether you’re a domestic or int’l student. It’s true scores in the high 80s-percentile are fine, but you need to look at scores for 10th grade test takers to figure that percentile out.</p>
<p>Try not to fret about SSAT scores, as they are but a piece of the pie. If it makes you feel any better, I know of numerous kids getting into prominent named boarding schools with very low SSAT scores, much lower than 62%. Your current and pass school grades are important. Most of all, they are looking for “nice kids” willing to actively participate in the life of the school. They don’t want a bunch of little Einsteins to teach. They build a new class each year and no two classes are the same. The logistics change every year for each school for 9th and 10th grade applicants. Repeating 9th has been sagacious but can be just as competitive as applying for 10th. Applying for 10th has been perceived to be advantageous but unfortunately an unknown until after the fact. Obviously a lot of ingredients at play and you’ll go bonkers trying to formulate what transpires in the Admission office. Attached again is a great article on the Episcopal High School Admission’s team which provides ample insight into their process. No two schools are alike but I don’t believe EHS is too far off from their piers. Good luck!</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.admission.org/data/files/gallery/MemberandaPDFs/2012SpringMemberanda72.pdf”>http://www.admission.org/data/files/gallery/MemberandaPDFs/2012SpringMemberanda72.pdf</a></p>
<p>i70sband gets the credit for the EHS attachment, thinking of which,
@ i70sband would be interesting to hear the latest and greatest from Alexandria.</p>
<p>Should read: No two schools are alike but I don’t believe EHS is too far off from their “peers”. Good luck!
I never notice the grammar errors until after I post but I did get a CC promotion!</p>
<p>That’s because CC does holistic promotions, @towerchute. ;)</p>
<p>If you’ve taken PSAT or SAT, you can send those instead of SSAT. </p>