My son has high ambitions for getting into some of the more competitive boarding schools. In November his SSAT scores were below average for these schools (83%) and his reading score was really low (57%). He decided to take the test again to bring up this reading score and succeeded (70%), but his other scores were not as good, yielding an overall unchanged score of 83%.
I think that it makes sense to submit these scores to these schools in case the 57% is somehow a concern about his ability to handle the work, but would be interested in hearing other opinions. Is there anyway that submitting the January scores could somehow hurt his chances?
I have heard of “superscoring” which would be of benefit to him. Is this official policy at some schools? which ones?
His January scores in Verbal and Math are only slightly lower than his November scores and the reading is a good deal better. I agree with you that you should submit these. It is possible a 57% in Reading could be a problem and 70% is much better. Congrats to your son for improving his score.
I also would not send the test with the 57 reading score. I am hopeful that he is applying to a range of schools some of which have average SSAT scores that look like his…
I would send both scores. Congratulations to your son for improvement.
Episcopal High School and Westminster School told us they superscore. One AO said that most of schools do superscore and he cannot see any reason why not to do it.
When we went to the TSAO (Ten Schools Admission Organization) open house in our town all 9 of the schools present said that yes, they superscore and to send them all.
Of course, if you send them, they see the “low” scores too but they say they “take” the top score(s) for each subsection.
My daughter has a similar issue, both of hers are the same overall percentage but in the second test two of the subsections went up and the third down. We are sending both.
A student may test on any or all of the eight Standard SSAT administrations, plus one Flex test, per testing year (August 1 - July 31), for a total of nine testing opportunities. 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.
SSAT does NOT “super score” - that is, you cannot choose your highest individual section scores from multiple tests to send individually - you can only send complete score reports. Contact the school to which you are applying to inquire as to whether they will “super score” by selecting the highest-scoring sections from multiple score reports."
I read somewhere on here that while schools only see the scores you send them, they will see that you have “multiple scores on file.” I don’t know if the person who said that is correct, so don’t quote me on this.
There are two types of superscoring, and they are two different things–either the SSAT superscores them on its own prior to you sending the scores (which they DON’T), or the school looks at 2+ of your SSAT scores that you submitted and pays attention to the highest ones of them all.
I actually think they super score in general. But I was specifically told by several schools and an SSAT prep coach that they definitely super score for athletes they want to get thru admissions.
I think that if an AO is really a strong advocate for an applicant (development case, athlete, legacy, et c.), then the additional information is used for the purpose of convincing others of their qualifications. I’m not sure there is truly an official policy of looking past inferior subscores.