<p>I got my SSAT scores. I got a ~2300.
National Percentiles:
Verbal - 95%
Math - 99%
Reading - 98%</p>
<p>Overall, I got 97%. I am a bit worried. I definitely did not do my best; I had the flu with 103+ fever and I could barely get to the test center. How did I do? Is it worth retaking? Am I in range? Ehh... :D</p>
<p>In my opinion, it really won't make much difference if you have 97%, 98% or 99%. You got a 99% in math, which is your strong suit. Last year, we went to an Exeter reception which featured the Head of Admissions. He said they find that the math SSAT score has the highest correlation to academic success at Exeter, so they pay more attention to this score. Are your scores consistent with your practice test results?<br>
It seems to me that the only reason to retake is if you will spend years wondering if you could have done better without the fever. You do run the possibility of scoring lower unless your actual scores are much lower than your practice scores. Otherwise, spend your time considering other schools, visiting schools and working on your applications.<br>
Congratulations on a very high score!</p>
<p>You did amazingly, don't worry about it. But I would have been worried, going to the test center with a flu--I would recommend retaking it, because you can definitely do better, judging on how well you do on everything else. </p>
<p>Hmmm... how's the infatuation with Exeter going?</p>
<p>Those scores are great! Don't worry about it.</p>
<p>Also, just in case you're thinking of telling Exeter that you had the flu while taking it - I wouldn't do that if I were you. They might view it as an excuse for not getting a 99% or something. lol</p>
<p>
[quote]
Hmmm... how's the infatuation with Exeter going?
[/quote]
Stronger than ever! :D</p>
<p>I'm going to be a bit honest and say that I did most of my preparation the two days before. :)
Hence, I may retake in January. It depends on how strong I think the rest of my application is going to turn out.</p>
<p>I wouldn't bother retaking the test. I doubt that two percentiles will make enough of a difference to swing your application one way or the other. It isn't worth the extra cost.</p>
<p>Nooooo! I hate losing to the Exies! Oh well, you seem like the sort of person who would do well there, whereas I am the sort of person who would freak out and, er, die. Good luck on everything; when's the big day? It was March 10 last year.</p>
<p>I remember this somewhere and it very accurately represents the conversation I just had.</p>
<p>Parent: What'd you get?
Me: 2300.
Parent: Don't worry; you can try harder next time!</p>
<p>:D</p>
<p>lol, congrats to you CT</p>
<p>It's nice to know there are parents like that everywhere. Last year, after opening that envelope I got the most ridiculous seven words I have ever heard. "What happened to the other 12 points?"</p>
<p>I really hope you are kidding. How could you even consider taking the SSAT again with that score? My son did absolutely no prep- he never even considered it. He did fine, and got into some excellent schools. I would never express disappointment at a test score if he honestly did his best.<br>
These schools do not want test-taking machines. They want interesting kids who love to learn and will contribute to the community in many ways.</p>
<p>Oh, come off it, ChaosTheory, you did brilliantly. Stop making the rest of us feel bad. Seriously, those are wicked scores. Can't believe you did that with the flu. You could probably hit the 99th percentile, but why bother? It's can be a matter of a single question, and there's so much worry going into it . . . better to make due with your fantastic scores. When I went to an Andover presentation, they specifically said that the difference of one or two percentiles does not matter. Congrats.</p>
<p>By the way, did you get your scores by mail, or email? I'll calling my dad to see if mine came.</p>
<p>Seriously, these are strong scores.</p>
<p>Last year my D. received 99 percentile in Math, 92 in reading and 47 in verbal. Each and every admissions office we met with said these were fine...most were most concerned with the math score. The verbal is the least important...its just depends on which words are listed. AND, most important, the SSAT scores are just one piece of the application...teacher recommendations, interviews etc. are equally important. Don't sweat it and trust the process. Be yourself. As we found out:
1) each school that offers you a spot has done its homework, and you are a good fit for that school
2) you will not be offered a spot in all the schools for which you are a good fit..because the numbers game comes into play. Therefore, apply to as many schools as you can stand, then pick among the offers for the best school for you.
D. applied to 8 NE prep schools (Exeter et al); was accepted at 4, waitlisted at 1. The numbers game. She is very happy her school.</p>
<p>Sheffield, where does your daughter go to school?</p>
<p>Hey again Audrey! :D</p>
<p>sheffield, I'm applying to a local prep school (Greenhills School, <a href="http://www.greenhillsschool.org%5B/url%5D">www.greenhillsschool.org</a> if you want to check it out) and I feel that since it's not a boarding school that it doesn't have as much experience or knowledge of the SSAT. Do you think they know that the verbal is the least important?</p>
<p>Jonathan -- I don't think you can generalize to say that "the verbal is the least important." It was in some of the schools Sheffield's child interviewed at. The Admissions Head of Exeter said that they find that academic success at Exeter correlates highest with the math score. He didn't say that the verbal is the least important. He went on to say that this was not the case with many schools, and he suggested that parents/students ask the other schools they were looking at which scores had the highest correlation there. We never did this, and for those of you reading this, I don't really suggest doing this. SSAT obsessing is probably not a good way to spend your limited time with Admissions. I just want to point out that it is probably not a good idea to generalize that the "verbal is the least important."</p>
<p>Sheffield -- I re-read your post, and I guess you did say that the "verbal is the least important." Well, I guess the only thing I know is what I heard as reported here. I'm far from an expert in this area.</p>
<p>I don't think the verbal is "the least important". If you have all As in English and your verbal score is really low, there may be some questions. Same with math.</p>
<p>hey, great score! definitely will get you into exeter, but it also depends on your background and other stats. admissions is getting a lot of applicants, so competition might wear down the higher scorers. i know of 15 kids who got perfect scores, and many more who get 98. but, exeter doesn't rely much on the ssats. so if you think you can definitely improve your score, go for re-taking it. but just know that you really don't have to.</p>
<p>The statement that 'verbal is the least important'...was feedback from one school based on their feeling of the 'randomness' factor i.e. if the child took the test again, they could score quite differently in verbal based on which words showed up. Whereas, in Math and Reading, the scores would be more consistent from test to test...</p>
<p>The bottom line is, do your best - take practice tests if you want (my d. never did) - and know that SSAT scores are just one factor among many, and I doubt they are used as a single deciding factor in the final selection.</p>
<p>Good luck to all!</p>
<p>No one seems to remember their SSAT scores once they're at school, which is interesting. I don't, at least. Only the percentiles. As with my 10th grade PSAT sitting, the paperwork attesting to whatever score I had is lost forever, though I guess it might be filed in with my permanent school record. I never thought about the SSAT (or applying at all, actually) with the same seriousness that many CCing hopefuls seem to, so maybe you guys will remember your scores for more than 5 minutes after you get them. :P</p>
<p>Good job!</p>