<p>My son is looking at taft, governors, tabor and westminster. He is at private school and has been a straigt a student since 6th grade. He is 8th grade now. he has won music awards, has been mip, mvp, sportsmanship and captains for soccer, basketball and lacrosse 2 years in a row. Citicenship,etc.. He is a top notch athlete in and out of school. His school record is impeccable. However he is and has been an awful standardized test taker. he consistenly scores below averegae on his erbs and his ssat. He is averaging the 44-46 percentile. His interviews have been wonderful. Our headmaster has given great feedback. Since I am new to this boarding school process I need help. Does he have a chance at any school or am i waisting my time. He can keep up with the work it has been proven. i am loosing sleep over this whole process and he is making himself sick as well. Any words offered will be great.</p>
<p>Having been through the application wringer 3 years ago, the first thing I will tell you is that a year from now you will be looking back on this and wondering why you were getting so upset by this.</p>
<p>What your son's test scores tell is that he is an average prep school applicant at standardized tests. That by itself doesn't disqualify you from schools, but I would say that everthing else should be significantly above average for the school (better athlete, top notch recs, etc.) to offset the test scores.</p>
<p>I don't know whether or not he has the right qualifications (don't know how rigorous your S's private school is, etc) for the specific schools on your list or whether you require FA. Not enough info to make the call here, nor should we on an internet forum.</p>
<p>He should spend a day at these schools mingling with the current 9th graders to see how he fits in. You will know a lot more from that experience than anything anyone here can tell you.</p>
<p>The most important thing is not to let yourself or your son measure yourselves based upon admission to some prep school. Prep school is not a prize to be won, but an adventure to be enjoyed.</p>
<p>hmm that is low for the schools that you are applying to but buy as many prep books as possible and make him study. also take the ssat's as many times as possible. itll go up cause he'll be less nervous. keep on trying!</p>
<p>Nice post, goaliedad. :) It is always great to hear from people who have been through the process.</p>
<p>thanks for the info. He is at a top notch private school that typically send kids to top tier schools. He is in the top 5 percent of the class. We dont need FA so with the bad economy hopefully it might be in my favor. They are not far reach academically wise. My h.master is making me nervous that we wont get in anywhere. We are tuturoing like crazy he just cant get it. He is not the standarized test taker and never will be. Also, i was told his interviewers loved him.</p>
<p>Words of wisodom to live by. Thank you. You made us feel better then the headmaster.</p>
<p>And if it makes you feel better yet, goaliegirl isn't a great standardized test taker either. She realizes it and doesn't let it define her. Yes, from a practical standpoint, it led us to limit where we had her apply, but not by that much. And strangely enough one of these "top" schools (not one on your list) whom we called to get a read (hesitant) on her test score 3 years ago, called us last summer (coach got hold of her college scouting resume including her GPA) asking if she was interested in transferring. She politely declined.</p>
<p>two months ago when i started studying for the ssat I felt hopeless to say the least, my first praactice test was 49% overall. </p>
<p>i've been studying about an hour a week on the math and verbal ( anytime i come across a word I don't know I'll look it up too)</p>
<p>For math I've been studying the formulas and equations </p>
<p>For verbal I've been studying prefixes and roots</p>
<p>my most recent practice test I had an 89 overall, perfect 800 on the verbal!</p>
<p>with that said don't worry too much. as long as your son dedicates some time to studying, he should be fine.</p>
<p>In my mind... the SSAT is to tell you, "Hey, will my I be up to par with all of this other kids?". Personally, I am using it to make sure that I am not going to be there and have a "Oh my god, this is too hard" moment. If he is just a really bad test taker then maybe this doesn't apply...</p>
<p>If you cram for the test, then get to boarding school and the material cannot be prepared for to the extent that the SSAT was prepared for... Your son might notice that he is falling behind. </p>
<p>ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, hardwork gets you the score. Hardwork gets you the grade. MY BEST ADVICE: sign up for a summer program at Exeter/Andover/Duke TiP(I went to TiP, changed my life... Why I am applying for BS). Exeter is 5 weeks and I promise you he will be a cut above his classmates the first term. Shaking the rust out of his brain while the other kids have cob webs. TELL HIM IT WILL BE HARD, BUT NECESSARY AND REWARDING.</p>
<p>Any chance you could expand your list? The scores raise a "red flag" so your son - as goaliedad said - needs to be above average in other areas, and it sounds as though he is. The more schools - up to 8 - the better the chance that he will be accepted if that is your ultimate goal. What about Lawrence? Pomfret? Suffield? There are so many wonderful schools that I am sure you/he will find a great match.</p>
<p>Has your son ever received a diagnosis of anxiety? You might try testing independently with an educational consultant, SSAT</a> - Online Student Guide. It may be that the tension of standardized tests could throw him off his stride. As I remember such tests, back in the dark ages, they were given in large rooms, with lots of nervous kids, and strict silence. If he took the SSAT in a different setting, he might do better. Some kids do pick up on everyone else's tension. </p>
<p>You might visit a reputable psychiatrist, who specializes in education issues. Your school could refer you to someone who doesn't over diagnose children, but who could help you to get a handle on this problem. Would extended time help your son? For that matter, at his school, are tests timed? I would not have believed it possible, but I heard recently that at a local high school, so many kids are entitled to extra time on tests, no tests (midterms, etc.) are given with time limits. The SSAT organization outlines what's necessary for special accommodations on this page: SSAT</a> - Students with Disabilities</p>
<p>
[quote]
Eligibility
Requests for Extra Time Only</p>
<p>Deadline for Application:
Application form must be received by SSAT two weeks before test date (late registration deadline).</p>
<p>Test Sites:
Extra time available at all scheduled national test sites.</p>
<p>Required Documentation:
Special Testing Application (A), signed by an official at the students current school, which verifies that the student is routinely permitted additional time for testing at the school.</p>
<p>Approved students will be provided an additional 30-minute period at the end of the test, during which time they may work on any of the four multiple-choice sections of the test (writing sample excluded). Students must remain in the test room for the full 30-minute test period. Total testing time: 3 hours, 5 minutes (plus breaks).</p>
<p>Students granted this accommodation may be tested in the main testing area, or in a separate group, at the discretion of the
administrator. Separate or individual testing is not guaranteed or implied.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>As I read this, it's in the hands of the school to attest that such testing accommodations are necessary for your son. Given the time constraints, I would recommend that you make arrangements to speak with the necessary people at your school. Not only the headmaster, but also the teacher who runs your tutoring center, and the teacher in charge of secondary school placement. This isn't an unusual situation to be in, and they can give you good advice.</p>
<p>I know that it is a disturbing thought, to think that your son may have a testing disability. If he is at the top of his class academically, however, and doesn't show any problems in school, then it's worth investigating what is standing in his way. The road to college leads over numerous standardized tests, so it's worth your while to figure out if some simple accommodations will help him to show his true talents.</p>
<p>Your headmaster is seeking feedback, and his active participation lets schools know that your school supports your son's application. I'm not certain of the background of the contact between your headmaster and the schools. If the schools called him, to gain insight into his academic performance, that can be seen in a positive light. It means they haven't sorted him into the "deny" pile already. They are interested enough to investigate. Unfortunately, the gap between his school performance and his testing requires explanation.</p>
<p>If your headmaster is worried, though, I would also be worried. He knows the level of competition his students face in securing a place at a boarding school. He, and his staff, have experience in gauging a school's interest in a student. The last thing he wants is for your son to receive only rejections on March 10th.</p>
<p>Is your son averaging in the 40's on practise tests, the real thing, or both? Is it all standardized tests - ability and achievement, or just ability tests like the ssat? It's horrible to think that this would prevent him from "proving" himself. Have you spoken with any of the perspective schools about this? I don't think it's as uncommon as one may think. </p>
<p>The issue about college admissions being hinged on standardized test that Periwinkle brings up is a valid one and I believe her advice about seeking a professional's assessment is sound as well.</p>
<p>Before you go down the educational psychiatrist path as suggested above (which is a good suggestion for the right kid), I'd just like to say that MOST students I see are straight A, or A-/B+ and score around 50% on SSAT. Your son would be like 15 others I would see in a year. Very common and nothing to worry about. That 50% SSAT coincides with a senior year SAT of about 1180 or 1200, which is in the top 1/3 of high school students. </p>
<p>The SSAT is tough, and very bright kids take it. I don't think there is much you can do about it and don't worry too much and don't spend a lot on tutoring. (although some might be helpful). </p>
<p>I recommend finding a few schools to apply to that have an average SSAT closer to your sons score. I know that probably isn't what you want to hear, but it makes sense</p>
<p>soccermom: The SSAT does separate the men from the boys when looking at the top tier schools. First, how is your son taking the test. It is best to be relaxed & to view the test simply as a friendly guide to school selection. Don't focus on Andover, Exeter, St. Paul's, Deerfield, Groton and the other elites & tell your son that he has to do well enough on the SSAT to get into these academic powerhouse schools. Many schools offer the same learning potential in beautiful environments. Second, one's score is limited by the number of questions answered, as well as the # answered correctly. This is a significant distinction. If a SSAT test-taker does not answer enough or all of the questions, the possible high score for that test-taker is severly limited.
Go in relaxed. Perfection should not be a concern. Answer as many questions as can reasonably be done with a minimum of absolute guessing.
Any student scoring above a 65 or so, is quite capable of graduating law school or medical school if willing to do the work.
All of the schools on your list are well known & highly respected. Apply & let the professional admissions folks decide if your son can blossem at their respective school.</p>
<p>That is a list of schools. The percentage is the Average(Mean) SSAT upon admissions. The number to the left of the name is from a list of most schools </p>
<p>Schools you mentioned he wanted to get into... Taft just changed their application process so now they require the SSAT.
22. The Governor's Academy
(formerly Governor Dummer 75%
31. Westminster School 70%
41. Tabor Academy 65%</p>
<p>More Realistic Options if the score improves a bit:
35. Northfield Mount Hermon 67%
36. Woodberry Forest 66%
37. Cranbrook Schools 66%
38. Holderness School 65%
39. Portsmouth Abbey 65%
40. Emma Willard School 65%
41. Tabor Academy 65%
42. Lawrence Academy 65%
43. Canterbury School 64%
44. Pomfret School 62%
45. Midland School 61%
46. Westover School 61%
47. Foxcroft School 60%
48. Dana Hall School 60%
49. Avon Old Farms 60%
50. Millbrook School 60%
51. The Ethel Walker 60%
52. Fountain Valley School of 57%
53. The Williston Northampton 57%
54. The Bolles School 56%
55. Suffield Academy 55%
56. Salisbury School 54%
57. Proctor Academy 54%
58. Virginia Episcopal 50%
59. Vermont Academy 50%
60. Ridley College 50%
61. The Gunnery 50%
62. St. Anne's-Belfield 50%
63. Rabun Gap-Nacoochee 45%
64. Trinity Pawling 40%</p>
<p>italianborder- where did you get that list? I would really like to see that expanded for the kids (like my son) that scored in the 70's.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>italian boarder...do you have the average mean SSAT for Exeter, SPS, Groton, Hotckiss, Choate? Thanks</p>
<p>You can get a list of the average SSAT scores at:</p>
<p>Boarding</a> School Review - College-Prep & Jr. Boarding Schools</p>
<p>and then go to Research Schools, and then "top schools by category." Note that these may not be accurate, and that many schools do not provide an average. However, the average for Andover is accurate (93%), as that number is given explicitly on their website.</p>
<p>For anyone who remembers (or cares!) about my son's misadventures with the bubble sheet on the Oct test; his Nov results came back yesterday and I can state that he does NOT have a right hemisphere disorder....it must have been the bubble sheet on the Oct test because his Nov math scores were fine.</p>
<p>Neatoburrito, good to hear it. I know what you were going through, but in reverse (D's math score dropped precipitously from Oct. to Nov.). It's maddening, huh?</p>