<p>DS is 11 (DOB Nov 1997) and starting the equivalent of Gr 7 in MYP of international school in Hong Kong. He is Canadian native english speaker and we live there as expatriates. At his school is is in the wrong year for his age and should be a year lower (he tested strong so they put him ahead upon entry, a decision I now regret...). As a result he has friends of 13 in the same grade. Many of these kids apply for the NE Prep schools. My question is whether the SSAT scores are based on chronological age and/or grade completed. If it is the latter, my son will not do as well as he will be competing with kids much older than he is. Any advice greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Its based on the grade. However there are two levels of tests one goes from 5-7 the other 8-11grades. Obviously the best result will be for a student taking level 1 in 7th grade or level 2 in 12th grade. Make sure your son takes the lower level one. The only thing I may be wrong on is when the level changes – my reccolection is that its 7th grade, not 6th – but double check. Also, see if the school will hold him back a year since it was their idea to move him forward. However, I would concentrate on grades much more than the scores.</p>
<p>If your son is applying for 9th grade at a prep most if not all will require the upper level SSAT. I know because my d took the lower lever SSAT and then had to be retested!</p>
<p>So your son would be 12, turning 13 in the November of 9th grade prep school? That, in my opinion, is way too young. He would be in class and playing sports with other 9th grade boys who are 14, 15, even 16. I would hold him out a year. Even if he is very gifted academically, the good schools will find a way to challenge him when he gets there. I know a 9th grader who took BC Calculus this year, and will be doing real college math for the next three years, with a math professor/tutorial kind of situation. And yes, you have to take the upper level SSAT to apply to high school. The lower one is for private middle school.</p>
<p>Your son will be in 8th grade next year, but would normally be in 7th?</p>
<p>I have a daughter in the exact same position and she will be repeating 9th grade in BS, returning to her age mates. I don’t even know that schools would take her so much younger anyway. She was the youngest even before she skipped. I don’t regret skipping her for public school, but I wouldn’t want her younger in BS.</p>
<p>Your son would take the upper level, by the way. I don’t think he’d be at a disadvantage though, since he’s had the same course work as kids a year older.</p>
<p>I really would wait it out, especially for a boy.</p>