What test scores to get in?

[Anonymous]

My DC is applying for sixth grade, and we’re looking at Burke, field, maret and GDS. I have two questions: 1) do they accept MAP scores or will she need to take a standardized test, and 2) have you found there is generally a minimum score needed to get in? On MAP she scored 75th percentile for English and 61st for math, so I don’t want to spend time applying to a school where her chances will be slim if they really only focus on top, top academically inclined kids.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at any of their websites? They all describe the policies and testing requirements (Burke, Field, Maret don’t test, GDS does).

All of the mentioned schools are generally looking for top tier students, so based on the test schools, it might be a long shot (GDS and Maret are incredibly selective and I would dare say the odds are nearly nil).

Burke and Field and also competitive but have a wider range of students and learning-types and are a bit more open to individual stories. I still think it’s a reach.

Where is the student coming from? How are the grades and extracurriculars? What are you looking for in the private school?

[Anonymous]

What criteria did you use to decide what schools to apply to? I know nothing about admissions, but the GDS HS will be a difficult fit for someone with average MAP scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC is applying for sixth grade, and we’re looking at Burke, field, maret and GDS. I have two questions: 1) do they accept MAP scores or will she need to take a standardized test, and 2) have you found there is generally a minimum score needed to get in? On MAP she scored 75th percentile for English and 61st for math, so I don’t want to spend time applying to a school where her chances will be slim if they really only focus on top, top academically inclined kids.

I'm not an expert, but percentile and percents are not the same. 75 percentile in MAP scores might correlate to a grade+ above her current grade. 61 percentile in math might be close as well. I say this because our son tests in the 98-99 percentile for math MAP, which translates to about a grade and a half above where he's at. I know that because he does math coaching and is working on math a grade and a half above his current grade. Similarly, his MAP scores flow into ixl and the problems they assign him are two grades above his current grade (but not more than about a third of the way into the curriculum for the second grade above his current grade). For example, at the start of second grade, he was working at the 4th grade level of math (1st semester or so in).

[Anonymous]

OP, test scores aren’t irrelevant, but you seem to be overestimating the weight they’re given in the ultimate admissions decision.

[Anonymous]

MAP too low for GDS. May want to look into prepping for SSAT or ISEE and see if can get more competitive score.

[Anonymous]

DC took SSAT for GDS high school admissions.