<p>Okay so I just got my scores back. Overall, I scored in the 86th percentile, which I'm fine with. Verbal was the 93 percentile, and reading was 98th. Here's where it gets scary. I scored 671 on math, which was THE 38TH PERCENTILE!!!!!!!! 38!!!!! I'm really, really freaked out about this. Also, I'm wondering if the percentile score on the SSAT is skewed, because my projected average nationally is the 89th percentile. Also, it the January SSAT really harder? I took the test last year, got a 2204, and was in the 93rd percentile. This year I received a 2211, and my percentile is 7% lower, and the questions on this test seemed so much harder! Will this one score kill me? I'm applying to Hotchkiss, Andover, TGS, and Stevenson. PLEASE give me some answers, or better yet, a somewhat inspiring story. Thank you!!!</p>
<p>Most schools consider the highest scores from all tests. So make sure your earlier test scores to be sent.</p>
<p>They only accept scores from this academic year. Your that math score really sticks out since your other scores are great. It is really hard to get a high percentile in math because students generally score higher on that section. If you are some how able to prove to them that your Math scores do not reflect your true math potential, then i would not be worried. Hopefully you placed in a math competition or something. However, if you are actually not a good math student, I would take the February SSAT.The schools will accept your results, and you only need to study math since they accept Super Score.</p>
<p>I think I can prove I’m a good math student. I’m in advanced math, and I’ve never even gotten close to pulling a B in that class. I also think that my math teacher made it clear that I have good reasoning abilities in his recommendation. At least I sincerely hope so. Thanks for your response, it really calmed me down.</p>
<p>What is “superscore”</p>
<p>Well, there’s always a chance you could’ve mis-bubbled. (That is when you get off by one answer and that ends up screwing up your entire test.)
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO RETAKE THE SSAT. Now. Register. Unless you have a GIGANTIC hook, you will not be able to get into half the schools you listed. Even then it’s a slim chance. Most of these schools accept the Feb SSAT, especially said “half of the schools” that you have a lesser chance of getting into. This is really late registration, but get a book and practice test your butt off. Who cares if the results are skewed? The only action you can take is to retake. Putting up a fight and wondering “why?” will not do anything for your score.</p>
<p>Well it is clear that space and I have conflicting views. I feel the two major reasons why boarding schools look at the SSAT’s are because they want to see if you can do the work and they want to have a high prestigious average percentile, it attracts more applicants. In your case, your SSAT scores will not greatly influence the average SSAT scores for the schools you listed. Also, as you said before, you clearly are good at math. However, space does have a point. Hopefully this does not happen, but if you get rejected from all of your schools, you would blame your SSAT scores. So in that sense, retaking may be the best choice. Better safe than sorry right?</p>
<p>I really, really, wish that I could retake the test. But frankly, my family can’t afford it. I’ll try to scrape together the funds, but it’s not looking that optimistic. All I can hope is that my hooks were good enough.</p>
<p>Here’s my recommendation: if you’ve taken the test before and got better math scores, send it to them with this score report. They’ll take a look at all score reports. and maybe you will have a better chance. Maybe, you could send an email along saying why you unfortunately didn’t do well on this one.
Hope that helps</p>
<p>I think SSAT keep scores for two years. You might contact them to see if those scores are still available. The % might be different because they are compared to your current grade (i.e. if you are currently in 8th grade last year was compared to 7th grade girls/boys and this year is compared to 8th grade girls/boys).</p>
<p>86% is a strong total score and you should be proud of that. They will see your math grades from school, and your math letter of recommendation. If your grades and recommendation conflict with the low math ssat score, you will be given a break. There is not a single person who has a great day, every day. What is most concerning here is your “freaking out”. You need to learn to roll with the punches of life and not panic at the first perceived problem. Even if you don’t get in (and it wont be because of that math score), remember that life is not a sprint, it’s a marathon, and you will have plenty of time to develop and achieve. So no freaking out please.</p>