<p>My daughter is applying to highly competitive schools for 9th grade. Her SSAT composite score was fine -- 95th% for her grade -- but the math partial was just 84th%. She knew it as soon as she took the test: she wasn't prepared for the geometry, since her middle school's advance math track is all algebra.</p>
<p>As it happens, she also received the first bad grade in her life last quarter, in math. Now she's worried that schools will think that she can't handle math.</p>
<p>I'd love your advice! Do you think it's worth studying up on geometry and retaking the test just to raise one partial score, or is the composite what matters? Does re-taking the test look bad to admissions committees? And if she does retest and improves her score, should she submit BOTH scores?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>It does not look bad to take the SSAT again. After you’ve received the second SSAT score you’ll be able to submit the best one (not both). Frankly, as I’ve said many times before, applicants have bigger hurdles to clear with a BS AO. Fretting about scores in the 85-95% range is a massive waste of time. The SSAT score is only one piece of the application and once you’re in the zone (for the schools you want to attend) - you gotta let it go. You have bigger fish to fry.</p>
<p>If you’re applying to only super selective boarding schools it won’t be your child’s academic record that sets her apart from everyone else. Everyone (pretty much) looks the same academically. A kid with a lower SSAT score (and spotty academic record) may get the nod over an academically stronger candidate because they’re bringing something else ( the school wants) to the table. A strong application isn’t about academic perfection. It’s about convincing an AO that a student is ready (in every way) to have this experience. Not all super smart kids are ready for BS… trust me. And, AO’s are very good at identifying those candidates and weeding them out.</p>
<p>Good luck with your daughter. I’m sure she’ll do very well. It’s a very stressful process . Swing by the Parent Forum (anytime) and other parents will kindly help in anyway they can. We’ve all been through the BS app process and survived- barely !! :)</p>
<p>To everyone worrying about SSAT scores (because I think we’re up to at least 20 SSAT Threads now…) :</p>
<p>If you don’t like your score or feel your score doesn’t properly reflect who you are (as a student): Take it again OR change your Apply To List (while there is still time ) to include schools that are more in line with your SSAT score. If your score is not in the zone for one or two schools (but close) : What the heck- roll the dice! You may have that special something the school is looking for. Go for it. It’s that simple. There’s no need to freak out. Those are your options.</p>
<p>All parents/students obsessing and worrying about SSAT scores ( or one bad grade) should take a deep breath and stop. Now is the time make a compelling case for admission via your application. In other words: What else do you have besides the stellar grades and SSAT score? What sets you apart? Bring it. </p>
<p>I’m done with my pep talk. Good Luck! 
</p>
<p>Remember: the SSAT is AN admissions component, not THE admissions test. It is only part. Kids with poor scores get admitted to great schools and kids with stellar scores get rejected from those same schools. There is WAY MORE to the process than a test. </p>
<p>Thank you so much for the thoughtful response! I absolutely agree about not over-valuing SSAT scores. FWIW my older kid scored in the high 99th% and got in to some schools but not others, depending on <em>fit</em>. I thought the admissions committees were right on target with their judgments of where my kid belonged.</p>
<p>I certainly wouldn’t want my daughter to waste her time trying to raise a composite score in the 90s. The worry is just that a low partial, combined with a recent outlier grade in the same subject, could send up a red flag.</p>
<p>I doubt 84% will send any flag.
I agree with everything PhotoMom says except that you can and should send both SSAT scores if some partials go up and others go down in next seating. That’s what AOs from multiple school told us. (I’m writing for other people. I do not think you should take the test again. I think you should spend time elsewhere.) </p>
<p>Thanks, everyone! In retrospect, I realize that asking only about SSATs must have made it look like we’re obsessing over them, but we know they’re a small part of the picture. It just happens to be a decision we have to make at this moment. (Plus my feminist daughter is determined to have her math skills respected. )</p>