An AO we recently spoke to told my daughter to only submit her scores if they were above the schools average. She’s not taking them so it’s a moot point but I thought it was good, concrete advice.
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Hmm in the Andover webinars that I attend they kind of give a very strong message that they’re not even going to consider your SSAT scores which makes me unsure of what to do because my grades are so so , so I am relying on the SSAT to be my way in(I got 98 on reading 98 on verbal but 54 on math so I shall take it again). Because of Andover’s attitude, I’m rethinking sending in my scores to them specifically. Any advice on what to do?
In Andover’s Boot Camp Video #5, which you can find on Youtube, the admissions folks say they will consider any admitted SSAT score as supplemental information for the applicant. So, while it’s not one of the primary inputs to the admissions decision, it’s still an input for those who submit a score. If your scores are good, I suggest you submit them, especially if your grades are so-so.
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If you have a score and if that score strengthens your application – by showing what your grades do not or confirming good grades – submit them by all means. If you have scores that are not helpful because they aren’t particularly good, don’t send them. There is no morality involved in this decision. The "option " is whether to submit. It sounds like @lilyesh and @riversandrobots are going to have "helpful "scores.
Fwiw, some BS have not weighted scores particularly heavily even when they required them. They measure a certain kind of aptitude but it is not the only one critical to success at these schools. I suspect there are a number of schools that are quite happy to get this chance to see how TO works out for them.
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Thank you lots
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For those of you with school specific knowledge about SSAT scores being optional, does it appear that this is a permanent change moving forward or is it just a reflection of 2020?? I’m pretty sure that SPS has stated they will be test optional going forward (independent of Covid) and St George’s has also made it clear that test scores are less and less relevant. Is this a trend across the board?? I ask bcs my son will be applying to BS next application cycle and when he took the mid level SSAT last year as a base, he excelled in math but bombed in verbal. Trying to figure out how much he needs to work on his SSAT prep over then next 12 months (he will not be applying to the SPS, Andover, Exeters etc), if at all.
Agree with @gardenstategal on all of the above.
Zero moral issue in presenting your best profile. (Now, if they said you can skip the test score if you fill out a form and explain why it’s a hardship and then you created a false hardship, then that would be a different scenario altogether. Not the case.)
@cityran I’ve seen a mix of intentions going forward. I think lots of schools are using this as a trial for something maybe they’ve considered in the past (going TO). Some committed to several years. Some have said “going forward.” Some are saying “this year.” Some are saying “prefer to have scores if possible” (but most aren’t). Bottom line: I don’t think you will know for another 6-9 months what the scenario will be next year. (I am confident that there will be at least some schools that remain TO next year, if not most.)
@cityran
Groton was already considering scores last or at least making preliminary piles and then cross referencing scores. This was pre pre covid. I think it’s a trend, but as I said in another thread, I’m not sure it’s yielding the results they want.
@riversandrobots
Are your grades low for a good reason or a bad one? You have no WiFi and your school’s online or you just don’t try hard because school is easy?
I have been told by more than one ao that they don’t love low grades and super high scores (that smacks of kids who don’t take school seriously). They want kids who know how to try for the long haul.
I think you don’t have a choice, you do need to submit your scores, but I’d recommend not viewing them as the thing that will save your application. You need to demonstrate some serious hard work and determination on your application if you have not done so in school.
My school is very competitive, more so than any of the schools I’m applying to. 100% of time and effort is put into academics, and the system is very rigorous (we wake up at 4am) Also, it was a very new environment for me and I was away from my parents for the first time, and on top of schoolwork you have to balance a lot of pressure from uppers to look prim and proper in the little time you have. I wouldn’t say I didn’t try, it was a bit too challenging.
Thank you for your advice, I will try to work harder on other parts of the application.
Ouch. It sounds like you have been through a rough time. And are maybe an international applicant. There are a LOT of good boarding options that will be delighted to have you, just as you are.
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Yes, I am an international applicant (though I’m considered domestic to some schools because I’m American, not too sure about that). Thank you for the encouragement.
I’ll just surface my opinion about standardized test scores and their meaning for this unusual year.
Most students have missed a substantial portion of in-person schooling over the last year.
Since SSAT and ISEE percentiles are calculated by comparing to 3 previous years’ tests, I think most kids taking the tests today are at a Covid-related disadvantage. I think that Covid-disadvantage is larger for younger kids, as they’ve missed a larger portion of their total schooling.
I think the computer tests make all reading comprehension questions harder, because test-takers can’t annotate or scan passages in the normal ways. And just anecdotally, comments on this board seem to cluster mainly around negative surprises for reading comprehension.
It also impacts some math problems, where it’d be easier to jot notes next to the question, rather than copy the whole problem over. It doesn’t impact verbal, and it makes essays easier.
Critically, the disadvantages that I’m listing, are likely impacting most test-takers. In other words, if the average kid’s reading comp score has dropped by X points because of Covid + Computer testing, then it doesn’t really matter that yours did too. Everyone is comparing their current Covid + computer numbers to pre-Covid + paper numbers, and I think that’s putting some applicants under some undue stress.
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Oooo! Good luck with your test tomorrow! You got this. Also, an 89 is a really good score. I’m actually applying for some of the schools ur applying to.
Thank you guys for all the support. I took the test today and am eager to get my results. I’m confident that these scores are much better than my previous scores.
was the actual ssat harder than the practice tests that you took?
the official practice tests were the same difficulty. Varsity Tutors was much harder.
okay, thank you! I take my first test on the 8th and since I’m pushing deadlines that’s the only test score I will be able to submit. My first two choices are NYC independent day schools, Trinity and Horace Mann so I’m hoping I so well! Thank you so so much for all of your help and support!