<p>But on the math I did terribly and got a 40th percentile (689).</p>
<p>Making my overall score 91st percentile (2,256). So collectively my score is strong, but I'm worried that because of my low math scores it will be difficult to succeed in my application to the schools I'm going for (Exeter,Deerfield,Andover,Hotchkiss)</p>
<p>Do you think that having a weakness in math but being very strong in verbal and reading will greatly reduce my chances? I know without other information it is difficult to comment, but let's say all the other factors are great, and the SSAT is the only issue. Is this going to be a problem?</p>
<p>The math portion is probably the most important of the 3 sections, because studies have shown that the math score is the best predictor of academic performance in secondary school.</p>
<p>That said, a 91 overall percentile is really strong!</p>
<p>How does that math score correspond with your performance in math–not merely grades but level of work you may be doing?-- are you in the accelerated section, etc.? If you are doing wonderfully in math elsewhere, that may mitigate the low score in that section?</p>
<p>As I have said, the AO get a Gestalt of an applicant-- and if there is an “outlier” in that overall impression they, assuming that the rest of the folder is strong, will try to figure out the value of the outlier data.</p>
<p>In mathematics I get As and Bs, so it isn’t my strongest subject however but I am not doing very badly in the subject, plus I will have a good math recommendation. I think it’s clear that whatever school accepts me it won’t be on my math skills, but I’ve interviewed well, good essays, good grades, and good SSAT grades in verbal and reading. I’m not very worried about it, I’m just questioning whether getting a low SSAT grade in math which isn’t very representative of my general mathematics grades, is going to play a great role in their decision making?</p>
<p>I’m not an AO, but to exercise a common sense there are a plenty of people who are good at just English or math, but not both, yet they still make outstanding citizens and often remembered in history. I believe BS AOs recognize that. Your credentials overall are outstanding. </p>
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<p>IMHO, you won’t be rejected solely based on your math score. Today is the application deadline for three of your schools. Just make sure that you have all your application materials in.</p>
<p>GMT, I’ve heard the opposite. I’ve heard that reading/verbal are far better predictors of academic success, unless the institution is math-centric like MIT. To the OP, I would say that the schools to which you’re applying will have concerns about your ability to handle their math curriculum. Still, if there are non-academic pluses in your background that make you unique, I’d bet that you still have a chance because,clearly, you will do well in the bulk of your courses, which are humanities based.</p>
<p>I, too, have heard the opposite (and have read discussions about it on other threads). I have heard that reading and verbal scores are the better predictors of academic success in boarding school. The math scores are affected by the level of math studied/exposed to up until the test date, in addition to the actual math ability of a student, while verbal communications skills are required throughout the curriculum.</p>
<p>I just reported the rumors at Exeter–and the issue at Exeter is not its science background, but ability to “do” Harkness. Yet the rumors are that they have discovered that the quant subscore is the better predictor. </p>
<p>If one looks at the official “what an successful applicant looks like” in the PEA site-- it says love of reading-- but mathematical ability. Love of reading can come from many other aspects of an application but just grades and SSAT can tell mathematical ability. BTW-- they are not looking for a 4.0-- just more As than Bs.</p>
<p>Absolutely! Many private test prep centers around this country serve to improve SAT/SSAT scores in the short term, mostly through boosting math scores. On the other hand, language art requires many years of sustained efforts unless kids are born with an innate ability. This is also one of the reasons that there are so many math wizards at CTY. I don’t deny that there are true math geniuses there, but many more are learned geniuses.</p>
<p>The same article stated:</p>
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<p>How is SSAT scores a good predictor for SAT performance, but not for BS? Remember that, even at BS, math but not English classes are differentiated based on students’ ability, especially in the first year. Also, it is simply easier to quantify math/science than English/humanities classes. Of course, prediction power would be higher for something more easily quantified and correlated.</p>
Today is the application deadline for three of your schools. Just make sure that you have all your application materials in.</p>