We recently heard an interesting perspective on the SSAT and testing in general that got me thinking. In a nutshell, that applicants who take the test multiple times are actually hurting themselves. Yes the schools will superscore but they view it in a negative light especially if the score is already pretty good. That super scoring was intended to help someone who genuinely thought the test was not representative of their abilities and not applicants who just wanted to get from a 90 to a 95. I know that much of the information disclosed here is probably some combination of embellished and partly true but iI ust wondered what everyone’s opinions were on this subject. Did anyone take the test two or three times in order to get their score up and was it worth it?
I don’t see how taking the test multiple times can hurt you. From the SSAT website: “SSAT will send official score reports only to those schools you designate with each exam. Score reports do not list the number of times the SSAT was taken or the number of score reports on file.”
Thus, you should take the test as many times as possible to get the best possible score. Now, whether superscoring helps or hurts is a different matter. I can see your point. But a 90 to a 95 is a different beast entirely from, say, a 77 to an 82.
Incidentally, I feel the SSAT is rife with cheating, especially overseas. They don’t require photo ID (you can bring anyone in and say they’re your kid) and it’s a paper based test. That’s just begging for cheating.
The ISEE on the other hand requires ID and is computer based, given at testing centers with security and video recording/monitoring. As far as I’m concerned, the SSAT is worthless.
Which do you think is more impactful–90 to 95 vs 77 to 82?
@SouthwestDad You don’t need an id. to vote so why should you need one for the SSAT?
@mass2020mom personally I think it depends on the school.
The SSAT is not worthless. My kids have taken both tests. I saw no opportunity to cheat either place.
I can. If you are spending an inordinate amount of time prepping for the 2nd or 3rd iteration of the test to the exclusion of other activities, then you run the risk of impacting the rest of your application. Test scores are but one piece of the admissions puzzle. The same argument can be made for SAT/ACT scores for colleges. Yes, anybody can have a bad testing day, but pushing to go from a 92 to 96 is probably not going to make a meaningful impact.