Getting into 9th Grade -- importance of SSAT scores

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter just got her SSAT results. 98 %ile overall, a perfect score in the verbal (99%), but only 94% in reading and 93% in math. She is brilliant and has all As, does MUN, Girl Up, Soccer, and other ECs. When applying to some of the big 3, would the slightly lower reading and math scores hurt her chances?

Serious question, so please, no hate.

My DD got into GDS, Sidwell and Potomac last year with 89%ile overall and similar grades & ECs. IMO, your DD's scores are not going to hurt her chances at all.

Correct, we got into GDS, Potomac, and others with 91% but you need to paint an overall picture as to how you will contribute to the school. Tell a Story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter just got her SSAT results. 98 %ile overall, a perfect score in the verbal (99%), but only 94% in reading and 93% in math. She is brilliant and has all As, does MUN, Girl Up, Soccer, and other ECs. When applying to some of the big 3, would the slightly lower reading and math scores hurt her chances?

Serious question, so please, no hate.

I believe you will have acceptances to Potomac, GDS, NCS, Holton, Maret, Madeira, and just about anywhere else. Sidwell will be a craps hoot. Good chance but no guarantee. However, the others are all but guaranteed. Relax, you are more than fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter just got her SSAT results. 98 %ile overall, a perfect score in the verbal (99%), but only 94% in reading and 93% in math. She is brilliant and has all As, does MUN, Girl Up, Soccer, and other ECs. When applying to some of the big 3, would the slightly lower reading and math scores hurt her chances?

Serious question, so please, no hate.

I believe you will have acceptances to Potomac, GDS, NCS, Holton, Maret, Madeira, and just about anywhere else. Sidwell will be a craps hoot. Good chance but no guarantee. However, the others are all but guaranteed. Relax, you are more than fine.

Should add 80 plus percentile will make you competitive at all these schools.

[Anonymous]

98% overall would qualify your child for the top schools in the nation - here in DC as well as Exeter, Andover, etc. 93 or 94%, plus a perfect score is incredibly good and also shows a kid who isn't lopsided -- some kids may have 86% in a category and 70% in another -- not your kid. If your child has some ECs to show she'll likely be participating in the school community once enrolled (sports/music/etc.), then she's going to get lots of acceptances I'd bet. It's worth noting though -- I have heard that some and perhaps many schools won't accept kids who are off the charts geniuses though who'll be outright bored (and maybe disruptive) if the school's course offerings will be too low (e.g., a kid doing 12th grade math in 7th grade) -- unclear if that's your child. For those ultra-kids, a high-level public school might actually be better and have more options.

[Anonymous]

I'm an applicant for 9th grade at the big three. I scored a 91% math, 80% reading, and 68% verbal. I'm a very talented tennis player and I am very involved in clubs and well spoken. I get all As and one or two b+. My essays and questionnaire responses for acceptance to the big three are very strong, and my interview went extremely well. Do you think I have a shot?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I'm an applicant for 9th grade at the big three. I scored a 91% math, 80% reading, and 68% verbal. I'm a very talented tennis player and I am very involved in clubs and well spoken. I get all As and one or two b+. My essays and questionnaire responses for acceptance to the big three are very strong, and my interview went extremely well. Do you think I have a shot?

Where are you coming from? Your scores are plenty strong, as you have great recommendations that confirm you are a hard worker with a good spirit. It helps if you are coming from a school that is well-known to the big three.

[Anonymous]

Is it fine to get around 70% on your SSAT?

[Anonymous]

I think that's a difficult question to answer. You will hear all kinds of anecdotes on this forum where people talk about all of the schools their DC got into with scores in the 70s. Obviously, this is just one thing that schools look at, but if you're applying to a Big 3 or a Big 5 and don't have any other hook, IMO those scores are too low. Having said that, I know of terrific kids with great grades, test scores in the 90s, decent athletic ability, etc. who were waitlisted from these same types of schools so even amazing test scores are no guarantee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:85% may be the SSAT norm at Sidwell, but they can and do dip much lower to get a rich & connected kid. And they have rejected 95% kids with great grades. I've seen both happen among my acquaintances.

+1

Exactly. First, let's see if you have money and connection. Then, let's look at your grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter just got her SSAT results. 98 %ile overall, a perfect score in the verbal (99%), but only 94% in reading and 93% in math. She is brilliant and has all As, does MUN, Girl Up, Soccer, and other ECs. When applying to some of the big 3, would the slightly lower reading and math scores hurt her chances?

Serious question, so please, no hate.

Can you pay full tuition?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter just got her SSAT results. 98 %ile overall, a perfect score in the verbal (99%), but only 94% in reading and 93% in math. She is brilliant and has all As, does MUN, Girl Up, Soccer, and other ECs. When applying to some of the big 3, would the slightly lower reading and math scores hurt her chances?

Serious question, so please, no hate.

I believe you will have acceptances to Potomac, GDS, NCS, Holton, Maret, Madeira, and just about anywhere else. Sidwell will be a craps hoot. Good chance but no guarantee. However, the others are all but guaranteed. Relax, you are more than fine.

Should add 80 plus percentile will make you competitive at all these schools.

My DD scored in the 80 plus in Math. Got into two boarding schools and a wait list at one of those mentioned above. I wouldn't stress. We are very happy and we only applied to two from your list. P.S. and my DD is doing very well at her chosen school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 7th grader got 99% across the board on the SSAT and was accepted to every top school to which she applied. Grades were also strong, but not perfect. I got the impression that these schools do not routinely see many 99s on this test.

I think there's a difference between middle and upper school ssat tests, and applying in middle school and 9th grade. Correct me if I'm wrong

[Anonymous]

35 percentile. DS will take the test again, but we aren't expecting a miracle. Is he out?