8/23/25 SAT scores out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:parent of first time taker who got 1380. For those who used tutoring/prep classes, was it actually helpful?

some of DCs friends are using a prep course that charges $2,000 and it seems like a lot. DC is upset b/c her score isn't in line with schools she's looking at. But i honestly don't know how realistic it is that she will improve. She did do some practice on her own and joined some sort of online group prep thing that didn't seem particularly organized or helpful. Do tutors really make much of a difference?

I posted above that my kid got a 1480. When he first took a practice test, he scored 1360. We bought one of the online, asynchronous courses for $200-$300, and he did it over the summer. It definitely helped him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yall this is making me cringe. My kids are so average - maybe nationally above average but below average for this site, lol. My sophomore got like a 1060 on the PSAT last year and I still expect them to go to a great college and have a wonderful life. My husband and I went to “fine” colleges yet we are securely UC so your kids will be completely fine I promise!

It's not 90's anymore. You and your UC husband should adjust expectation. Would be good for your DC.

Also, take a statistic class?

How incredibly rude. There are good colleges for everyone. Stop being a jerk. I used to be similarly snotty, honestly, but I have seen and worked with so many people who went to lower tier schools and many of them are very bright, doing great things. Just stop.

It's not rude, it's cold hard reality. In 90's we got Clinton, economy is booming for more than 20 years. You didn't do well because you are capable. You did well because it's the right time and you were really lucky to be at the right place.

What have we got today? What's your prediction for our economy in the next 10 years?

Not any of the PPs but it’s cute that you think sending your kid to an Ivy is going to help. There’s the top 1% and then there is the rest of us. The kids who will survive the incoming bloodbath will need to be adaptable, be ok with uncertainty, have social skills, etc. And there is a difference between saying “the future looks bleak and I want my kid to stand a chance” vs being mean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread seems to have a lot of "perfect GPA/ high rigor" kids who are surprised their kids are scoring in the 1300-1400 range (still a great score)!

I think what this shows is that grading standards at high schools (especially public ones) have become so inflated that GPA is a barely meaningful metric any more. Also demonstrates the folly of test optional policies.

Every high school is different. Every kid is different. Test scores should not be dispositive in the admissions context, but it is undeniably useful to have a single uniform and unbiased metric for all kids in the admissions pool (if only to normalize the wildly different quality and grading standards across high schools).

It's also helpful for students to understand their own strengths and weaknesses.

Another +1

In our school (a top private outside DMV), it’s quite common for a junior to get 1470-1550 in their first try, some after trying in 10th grade and getting 1430+, yet none of these kids has ever experienced a 4.0 in their life. They often have 3.7-3.85 GPAs. And before anyone says they must have tests prep tutors to achieve those high SATs, I can tell you our DCs didn’t and you have to then also ask why couldn’t those same tutors help them get the elusive 4.0.

I think schools that inflate GPAs have shot themselves in the foot because they invite college admissions to question the rigor of their curriculum. And when a school sends in 60 applications same year all with indistinguishable 4.0, top rigor, multiple club leaderships and school awards, the easiest way for admissions officers is to reject all of them.

Last year, 5 kids out of 110 in our school cracked 3.9 for their GPA; they all got into HYPMS, as did some with 3.85-3.89.

When you have an entrance exam to get into the high school, you can't take credit for the school's amazing SAT scores. My DD's school is the same way. But these girls all killed it in 8th grade on their entrance test. Not surprising they're high SAT scorers, too.

You misunderstood my point. My point was not that the school alone was responsible for high SAT scores. I was simply echoing OR who thought the frequent cases of super high GPA + lower SAT show many schools, esp public high schools, grade inflate. Whenever we hear on this board someone has a 4.0 GPA yet was shut out from T20, often they are from these same high schools, never from schools that only give 5 kids a 3.9. My point is top colleges have also caught on to the rampant grade inflation and the grade inflation may have backfired because it invites questions on the HS’s rigor if everyone could get a 4.0 yet those same kids couldn’t crack 1450.

THIS. Or the valedictorians from upper middle class publics with 1350, 1380, and mostly 3s because"no one gets 5s on AP" yet the private school has kids who did not crack the top 20% for GPA(cum laude) yet had 1550 and mostly 5s, JHU ED for Engineering and got in as they should (my nephew). Then people think it is unfair --no it is a better education and much less inflation; AO's know this.

This is not a thing.

The ridiculous stories private school parents tell themselves

LOL. We have three classes of MV Calc & Linear Algebra at our public. Sure, they are only getting 1350s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread seems to have a lot of "perfect GPA/ high rigor" kids who are surprised their kids are scoring in the 1300-1400 range (still a great score)!

I think what this shows is that grading standards at high schools (especially public ones) have become so inflated that GPA is a barely meaningful metric any more. Also demonstrates the folly of test optional policies.

Every high school is different. Every kid is different. Test scores should not be dispositive in the admissions context, but it is undeniably useful to have a single uniform and unbiased metric for all kids in the admissions pool (if only to normalize the wildly different quality and grading standards across high schools).

It's also helpful for students to understand their own strengths and weaknesses.

Another +1

In our school (a top private outside DMV), it’s quite common for a junior to get 1470-1550 in their first try, some after trying in 10th grade and getting 1430+, yet none of these kids has ever experienced a 4.0 in their life. They often have 3.7-3.85 GPAs. And before anyone says they must have tests prep tutors to achieve those high SATs, I can tell you our DCs didn’t and you have to then also ask why couldn’t those same tutors help them get the elusive 4.0.

I think schools that inflate GPAs have shot themselves in the foot because they invite college admissions to question the rigor of their curriculum. And when a school sends in 60 applications same year all with indistinguishable 4.0, top rigor, multiple club leaderships and school awards, the easiest way for admissions officers is to reject all of them.

Last year, 5 kids out of 110 in our school cracked 3.9 for their GPA; they all got into HYPMS, as did some with 3.85-3.89.

When you have an entrance exam to get into the high school, you can't take credit for the school's amazing SAT scores. My DD's school is the same way. But these girls all killed it in 8th grade on their entrance test. Not surprising they're high SAT scorers, too.

You misunderstood my point. My point was not that the school alone was responsible for high SAT scores. I was simply echoing OR who thought the frequent cases of super high GPA + lower SAT show many schools, esp public high schools, grade inflate. Whenever we hear on this board someone has a 4.0 GPA yet was shut out from T20, often they are from these same high schools, never from schools that only give 5 kids a 3.9. My point is top colleges have also caught on to the rampant grade inflation and the grade inflation may have backfired because it invites questions on the HS’s rigor if everyone could get a 4.0 yet those same kids couldn’t crack 1450.

THIS. Or the valedictorians from upper middle class publics with 1350, 1380, and mostly 3s because"no one gets 5s on AP" yet the private school has kids who did not crack the top 20% for GPA(cum laude) yet had 1550 and mostly 5s, JHU ED for Engineering and got in as they should (my nephew). Then people think it is unfair --no it is a better education and much less inflation; AO's know this.

This is not a thing.

The ridiculous stories private school parents tell themselves

It absolutely IS a thing to have valedictorians get 1300s and poor AP scores at so called top publics. I personally know two from different high schools in the same region of Virginia, class of 23 and 24.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread seems to have a lot of "perfect GPA/ high rigor" kids who are surprised their kids are scoring in the 1300-1400 range (still a great score)!

I think what this shows is that grading standards at high schools (especially public ones) have become so inflated that GPA is a barely meaningful metric any more. Also demonstrates the folly of test optional policies.

Every high school is different. Every kid is different. Test scores should not be dispositive in the admissions context, but it is undeniably useful to have a single uniform and unbiased metric for all kids in the admissions pool (if only to normalize the wildly different quality and grading standards across high schools).

It's also helpful for students to understand their own strengths and weaknesses.

Another +1

In our school (a top private outside DMV), it’s quite common for a junior to get 1470-1550 in their first try, some after trying in 10th grade and getting 1430+, yet none of these kids has ever experienced a 4.0 in their life. They often have 3.7-3.85 GPAs. And before anyone says they must have tests prep tutors to achieve those high SATs, I can tell you our DCs didn’t and you have to then also ask why couldn’t those same tutors help them get the elusive 4.0.

I think schools that inflate GPAs have shot themselves in the foot because they invite college admissions to question the rigor of their curriculum. And when a school sends in 60 applications same year all with indistinguishable 4.0, top rigor, multiple club leaderships and school awards, the easiest way for admissions officers is to reject all of them.

Last year, 5 kids out of 110 in our school cracked 3.9 for their GPA; they all got into HYPMS, as did some with 3.85-3.89.

When you have an entrance exam to get into the high school, you can't take credit for the school's amazing SAT scores. My DD's school is the same way. But these girls all killed it in 8th grade on their entrance test. Not surprising they're high SAT scorers, too.

You misunderstood my point. My point was not that the school alone was responsible for high SAT scores. I was simply echoing OR who thought the frequent cases of super high GPA + lower SAT show many schools, esp public high schools, grade inflate. Whenever we hear on this board someone has a 4.0 GPA yet was shut out from T20, often they are from these same high schools, never from schools that only give 5 kids a 3.9. My point is top colleges have also caught on to the rampant grade inflation and the grade inflation may have backfired because it invites questions on the HS’s rigor if everyone could get a 4.0 yet those same kids couldn’t crack 1450.

THIS. Or the valedictorians from upper middle class publics with 1350, 1380, and mostly 3s because"no one gets 5s on AP" yet the private school has kids who did not crack the top 20% for GPA(cum laude) yet had 1550 and mostly 5s, JHU ED for Engineering and got in as they should (my nephew). Then people think it is unfair --no it is a better education and much less inflation; AO's know this.

This is not a thing.

The ridiculous stories private school parents tell themselves

LOL. We have three classes of MV Calc & Linear Algebra at our public. Sure, they are only getting 1350s.

Then your public might have a lot of top kids. The ones near us do not

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No reason for anyone to be mean about a kid’s SAT score. Look in the mirror. Are you perfect? And what kind of example are you setting for your kid?

She or he is making fun of a teenager’s test score on a mommy website. Suffice to say, this person is far from perfect.

[Anonymous]

I know this post is now dated, but I had to brag, as I don’t plan on telling anyone outside the family. DD took test 3 prior times. Languished in mid 1300’s each time. Deeply frustrated. Felt she could do better and prepped all summer. Result was 1460 on August test (730 math and verbal). She also qualified for NMSF with a perfect math score on PSAT. Hoping the combo of the two will be enough for UVA engineering in state ED.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread seems to have a lot of "perfect GPA/ high rigor" kids who are surprised their kids are scoring in the 1300-1400 range (still a great score)!

I think what this shows is that grading standards at high schools (especially public ones) have become so inflated that GPA is a barely meaningful metric any more. Also demonstrates the folly of test optional policies.

Every high school is different. Every kid is different. Test scores should not be dispositive in the admissions context, but it is undeniably useful to have a single uniform and unbiased metric for all kids in the admissions pool (if only to normalize the wildly different quality and grading standards across high schools).

It's also helpful for students to understand their own strengths and weaknesses.

Another +1

In our school (a top private outside DMV), it’s quite common for a junior to get 1470-1550 in their first try, some after trying in 10th grade and getting 1430+, yet none of these kids has ever experienced a 4.0 in their life. They often have 3.7-3.85 GPAs. And before anyone says they must have tests prep tutors to achieve those high SATs, I can tell you our DCs didn’t and you have to then also ask why couldn’t those same tutors help them get the elusive 4.0.

I think schools that inflate GPAs have shot themselves in the foot because they invite college admissions to question the rigor of their curriculum. And when a school sends in 60 applications same year all with indistinguishable 4.0, top rigor, multiple club leaderships and school awards, the easiest way for admissions officers is to reject all of them.

Last year, 5 kids out of 110 in our school cracked 3.9 for their GPA; they all got into HYPMS, as did some with 3.85-3.89.

When you have an entrance exam to get into the high school, you can't take credit for the school's amazing SAT scores. My DD's school is the same way. But these girls all killed it in 8th grade on their entrance test. Not surprising they're high SAT scorers, too.

You misunderstood my point. My point was not that the school alone was responsible for high SAT scores. I was simply echoing OR who thought the frequent cases of super high GPA + lower SAT show many schools, esp public high schools, grade inflate. Whenever we hear on this board someone has a 4.0 GPA yet was shut out from T20, often they are from these same high schools, never from schools that only give 5 kids a 3.9. My point is top colleges have also caught on to the rampant grade inflation and the grade inflation may have backfired because it invites questions on the HS’s rigor if everyone could get a 4.0 yet those same kids couldn’t crack 1450.

THIS. Or the valedictorians from upper middle class publics with 1350, 1380, and mostly 3s because"no one gets 5s on AP" yet the private school has kids who did not crack the top 20% for GPA(cum laude) yet had 1550 and mostly 5s, JHU ED for Engineering and got in as they should (my nephew). Then people think it is unfair --no it is a better education and much less inflation; AO's know this.

This is not a thing.

The ridiculous stories private school parents tell themselves

LOL. We have three classes of MV Calc & Linear Algebra at our public. Sure, they are only getting 1350s.

Then your public might have a lot of top kids. The ones near us do not

Where is this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread seems to have a lot of "perfect GPA/ high rigor" kids who are surprised their kids are scoring in the 1300-1400 range (still a great score)!

I think what this shows is that grading standards at high schools (especially public ones) have become so inflated that GPA is a barely meaningful metric any more. Also demonstrates the folly of test optional policies.

Every high school is different. Every kid is different. Test scores should not be dispositive in the admissions context, but it is undeniably useful to have a single uniform and unbiased metric for all kids in the admissions pool (if only to normalize the wildly different quality and grading standards across high schools).

It's also helpful for students to understand their own strengths and weaknesses.

Another +1

In our school (a top private outside DMV), it’s quite common for a junior to get 1470-1550 in their first try, some after trying in 10th grade and getting 1430+, yet none of these kids has ever experienced a 4.0 in their life. They often have 3.7-3.85 GPAs. And before anyone says they must have tests prep tutors to achieve those high SATs, I can tell you our DCs didn’t and you have to then also ask why couldn’t those same tutors help them get the elusive 4.0.

I think schools that inflate GPAs have shot themselves in the foot because they invite college admissions to question the rigor of their curriculum. And when a school sends in 60 applications same year all with indistinguishable 4.0, top rigor, multiple club leaderships and school awards, the easiest way for admissions officers is to reject all of them.

Last year, 5 kids out of 110 in our school cracked 3.9 for their GPA; they all got into HYPMS, as did some with 3.85-3.89.

When you have an entrance exam to get into the high school, you can't take credit for the school's amazing SAT scores. My DD's school is the same way. But these girls all killed it in 8th grade on their entrance test. Not surprising they're high SAT scorers, too.

You misunderstood my point. My point was not that the school alone was responsible for high SAT scores. I was simply echoing OR who thought the frequent cases of super high GPA + lower SAT show many schools, esp public high schools, grade inflate. Whenever we hear on this board someone has a 4.0 GPA yet was shut out from T20, often they are from these same high schools, never from schools that only give 5 kids a 3.9. My point is top colleges have also caught on to the rampant grade inflation and the grade inflation may have backfired because it invites questions on the HS’s rigor if everyone could get a 4.0 yet those same kids couldn’t crack 1450.

THIS. Or the valedictorians from upper middle class publics with 1350, 1380, and mostly 3s because"no one gets 5s on AP" yet the private school has kids who did not crack the top 20% for GPA(cum laude) yet had 1550 and mostly 5s, JHU ED for Engineering and got in as they should (my nephew). Then people think it is unfair --no it is a better education and much less inflation; AO's know this.

This is not a thing.

The ridiculous stories private school parents tell themselves

It absolutely IS a thing to have valedictorians get 1300s and poor AP scores at so called top publics. I personally know two from different high schools in the same region of Virginia, class of 23 and 24.

Absolutely not at top public schools. The tippy-top students at top public schools run circles around private school students. I do believe there’s a lot of myth making happening here. I agree there are 4.0 students with 1300 SATs, but those aren’t valedictorians. Those are usually kids who took less rigor to get those 4.0’s hence the lower SAT. The top students at my kid’s public school are insanely smart. They’re going to MIT and Harvard. These kids will be fun to watch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread seems to have a lot of "perfect GPA/ high rigor" kids who are surprised their kids are scoring in the 1300-1400 range (still a great score)!

I think what this shows is that grading standards at high schools (especially public ones) have become so inflated that GPA is a barely meaningful metric any more. Also demonstrates the folly of test optional policies.

Every high school is different. Every kid is different. Test scores should not be dispositive in the admissions context, but it is undeniably useful to have a single uniform and unbiased metric for all kids in the admissions pool (if only to normalize the wildly different quality and grading standards across high schools).

It's also helpful for students to understand their own strengths and weaknesses.

Another +1

In our school (a top private outside DMV), it’s quite common for a junior to get 1470-1550 in their first try, some after trying in 10th grade and getting 1430+, yet none of these kids has ever experienced a 4.0 in their life. They often have 3.7-3.85 GPAs. And before anyone says they must have tests prep tutors to achieve those high SATs, I can tell you our DCs didn’t and you have to then also ask why couldn’t those same tutors help them get the elusive 4.0.

I think schools that inflate GPAs have shot themselves in the foot because they invite college admissions to question the rigor of their curriculum. And when a school sends in 60 applications same year all with indistinguishable 4.0, top rigor, multiple club leaderships and school awards, the easiest way for admissions officers is to reject all of them.

Last year, 5 kids out of 110 in our school cracked 3.9 for their GPA; they all got into HYPMS, as did some with 3.85-3.89.

When you have an entrance exam to get into the high school, you can't take credit for the school's amazing SAT scores. My DD's school is the same way. But these girls all killed it in 8th grade on their entrance test. Not surprising they're high SAT scorers, too.

You misunderstood my point. My point was not that the school alone was responsible for high SAT scores. I was simply echoing OR who thought the frequent cases of super high GPA + lower SAT show many schools, esp public high schools, grade inflate. Whenever we hear on this board someone has a 4.0 GPA yet was shut out from T20, often they are from these same high schools, never from schools that only give 5 kids a 3.9. My point is top colleges have also caught on to the rampant grade inflation and the grade inflation may have backfired because it invites questions on the HS’s rigor if everyone could get a 4.0 yet those same kids couldn’t crack 1450.

THIS. Or the valedictorians from upper middle class publics with 1350, 1380, and mostly 3s because"no one gets 5s on AP" yet the private school has kids who did not crack the top 20% for GPA(cum laude) yet had 1550 and mostly 5s, JHU ED for Engineering and got in as they should (my nephew). Then people think it is unfair --no it is a better education and much less inflation; AO's know this.

This is not a thing.

The ridiculous stories private school parents tell themselves

It absolutely IS a thing to have valedictorians get 1300s and poor AP scores at so called top publics. I personally know two from different high schools in the same region of Virginia, class of 23 and 24.

But are these top public schools? That's what the original poster said.. that the valedictorians from top publics have 4.0s and 1300 SATs. The average SAT at our top public is a 1390.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread seems to have a lot of "perfect GPA/ high rigor" kids who are surprised their kids are scoring in the 1300-1400 range (still a great score)!

I think what this shows is that grading standards at high schools (especially public ones) have become so inflated that GPA is a barely meaningful metric any more. Also demonstrates the folly of test optional policies.

Every high school is different. Every kid is different. Test scores should not be dispositive in the admissions context, but it is undeniably useful to have a single uniform and unbiased metric for all kids in the admissions pool (if only to normalize the wildly different quality and grading standards across high schools).

It's also helpful for students to understand their own strengths and weaknesses.

Another +1

In our school (a top private outside DMV), it’s quite common for a junior to get 1470-1550 in their first try, some after trying in 10th grade and getting 1430+, yet none of these kids has ever experienced a 4.0 in their life. They often have 3.7-3.85 GPAs. And before anyone says they must have tests prep tutors to achieve those high SATs, I can tell you our DCs didn’t and you have to then also ask why couldn’t those same tutors help them get the elusive 4.0.

I think schools that inflate GPAs have shot themselves in the foot because they invite college admissions to question the rigor of their curriculum. And when a school sends in 60 applications same year all with indistinguishable 4.0, top rigor, multiple club leaderships and school awards, the easiest way for admissions officers is to reject all of them.

Last year, 5 kids out of 110 in our school cracked 3.9 for their GPA; they all got into HYPMS, as did some with 3.85-3.89.

When you have an entrance exam to get into the high school, you can't take credit for the school's amazing SAT scores. My DD's school is the same way. But these girls all killed it in 8th grade on their entrance test. Not surprising they're high SAT scorers, too.

You misunderstood my point. My point was not that the school alone was responsible for high SAT scores. I was simply echoing OR who thought the frequent cases of super high GPA + lower SAT show many schools, esp public high schools, grade inflate. Whenever we hear on this board someone has a 4.0 GPA yet was shut out from T20, often they are from these same high schools, never from schools that only give 5 kids a 3.9. My point is top colleges have also caught on to the rampant grade inflation and the grade inflation may have backfired because it invites questions on the HS’s rigor if everyone could get a 4.0 yet those same kids couldn’t crack 1450.

THIS. Or the valedictorians from upper middle class publics with 1350, 1380, and mostly 3s because"no one gets 5s on AP" yet the private school has kids who did not crack the top 20% for GPA(cum laude) yet had 1550 and mostly 5s, JHU ED for Engineering and got in as they should (my nephew). Then people think it is unfair --no it is a better education and much less inflation; AO's know this.

This is not a thing.

The ridiculous stories private school parents tell themselves

It absolutely IS a thing to have valedictorians get 1300s and poor AP scores at so called top publics. I personally know two from different high schools in the same region of Virginia, class of 23 and 24.

At “so called top public’s”? What region is this? The top kids at my kids’ public high schools in a beleaguered urban school district in Hampton Roads are getting 1500+ SATs and racking up 5s on 12 or more APs.

And if the valedictorians at some of the rougher, underperforming high schools in my city are getting 1300s, I say good for them! That’s amazing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread seems to have a lot of "perfect GPA/ high rigor" kids who are surprised their kids are scoring in the 1300-1400 range (still a great score)!

I think what this shows is that grading standards at high schools (especially public ones) have become so inflated that GPA is a barely meaningful metric any more. Also demonstrates the folly of test optional policies.

Every high school is different. Every kid is different. Test scores should not be dispositive in the admissions context, but it is undeniably useful to have a single uniform and unbiased metric for all kids in the admissions pool (if only to normalize the wildly different quality and grading standards across high schools).

It's also helpful for students to understand their own strengths and weaknesses.

Another +1

In our school (a top private outside DMV), it’s quite common for a junior to get 1470-1550 in their first try, some after trying in 10th grade and getting 1430+, yet none of these kids has ever experienced a 4.0 in their life. They often have 3.7-3.85 GPAs. And before anyone says they must have tests prep tutors to achieve those high SATs, I can tell you our DCs didn’t and you have to then also ask why couldn’t those same tutors help them get the elusive 4.0.

I think schools that inflate GPAs have shot themselves in the foot because they invite college admissions to question the rigor of their curriculum. And when a school sends in 60 applications same year all with indistinguishable 4.0, top rigor, multiple club leaderships and school awards, the easiest way for admissions officers is to reject all of them.

Last year, 5 kids out of 110 in our school cracked 3.9 for their GPA; they all got into HYPMS, as did some with 3.85-3.89.

When you have an entrance exam to get into the high school, you can't take credit for the school's amazing SAT scores. My DD's school is the same way. But these girls all killed it in 8th grade on their entrance test. Not surprising they're high SAT scorers, too.

You misunderstood my point. My point was not that the school alone was responsible for high SAT scores. I was simply echoing OR who thought the frequent cases of super high GPA + lower SAT show many schools, esp public high schools, grade inflate. Whenever we hear on this board someone has a 4.0 GPA yet was shut out from T20, often they are from these same high schools, never from schools that only give 5 kids a 3.9. My point is top colleges have also caught on to the rampant grade inflation and the grade inflation may have backfired because it invites questions on the HS’s rigor if everyone could get a 4.0 yet those same kids couldn’t crack 1450.

THIS. Or the valedictorians from upper middle class publics with 1350, 1380, and mostly 3s because"no one gets 5s on AP" yet the private school has kids who did not crack the top 20% for GPA(cum laude) yet had 1550 and mostly 5s, JHU ED for Engineering and got in as they should (my nephew). Then people think it is unfair --no it is a better education and much less inflation; AO's know this.

This is not a thing.

The ridiculous stories private school parents tell themselves

It absolutely IS a thing to have valedictorians get 1300s and poor AP scores at so called top publics. I personally know two from different high schools in the same region of Virginia, class of 23 and 24.

At “so called top public’s”? What region is this? The top kids at my kids’ public high schools in a beleaguered urban school district in Hampton Roads are getting 1500+ SATs and racking up 5s on 12 or more APs.

And if the valedictorians at some of the rougher, underperforming high schools in my city are getting 1300s, I say good for them! That’s amazing!

It's not unusual for Valedictorians at our public high school to score in the 1400's. The school average is around 1040.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread seems to have a lot of "perfect GPA/ high rigor" kids who are surprised their kids are scoring in the 1300-1400 range (still a great score)!

I think what this shows is that grading standards at high schools (especially public ones) have become so inflated that GPA is a barely meaningful metric any more. Also demonstrates the folly of test optional policies.

Every high school is different. Every kid is different. Test scores should not be dispositive in the admissions context, but it is undeniably useful to have a single uniform and unbiased metric for all kids in the admissions pool (if only to normalize the wildly different quality and grading standards across high schools).

It's also helpful for students to understand their own strengths and weaknesses.

Another +1

In our school (a top private outside DMV), it’s quite common for a junior to get 1470-1550 in their first try, some after trying in 10th grade and getting 1430+, yet none of these kids has ever experienced a 4.0 in their life. They often have 3.7-3.85 GPAs. And before anyone says they must have tests prep tutors to achieve those high SATs, I can tell you our DCs didn’t and you have to then also ask why couldn’t those same tutors help them get the elusive 4.0.

I think schools that inflate GPAs have shot themselves in the foot because they invite college admissions to question the rigor of their curriculum. And when a school sends in 60 applications same year all with indistinguishable 4.0, top rigor, multiple club leaderships and school awards, the easiest way for admissions officers is to reject all of them.

Last year, 5 kids out of 110 in our school cracked 3.9 for their GPA; they all got into HYPMS, as did some with 3.85-3.89.

When you have an entrance exam to get into the high school, you can't take credit for the school's amazing SAT scores. My DD's school is the same way. But these girls all killed it in 8th grade on their entrance test. Not surprising they're high SAT scorers, too.

You misunderstood my point. My point was not that the school alone was responsible for high SAT scores. I was simply echoing OR who thought the frequent cases of super high GPA + lower SAT show many schools, esp public high schools, grade inflate. Whenever we hear on this board someone has a 4.0 GPA yet was shut out from T20, often they are from these same high schools, never from schools that only give 5 kids a 3.9. My point is top colleges have also caught on to the rampant grade inflation and the grade inflation may have backfired because it invites questions on the HS’s rigor if everyone could get a 4.0 yet those same kids couldn’t crack 1450.

THIS. Or the valedictorians from upper middle class publics with 1350, 1380, and mostly 3s because"no one gets 5s on AP" yet the private school has kids who did not crack the top 20% for GPA(cum laude) yet had 1550 and mostly 5s, JHU ED for Engineering and got in as they should (my nephew). Then people think it is unfair --no it is a better education and much less inflation; AO's know this.

This is not a thing.

The ridiculous stories private school parents tell themselves

It absolutely IS a thing to have valedictorians get 1300s and poor AP scores at so called top publics. I personally know two from different high schools in the same region of Virginia, class of 23 and 24.

Absolutely not at top public schools. The tippy-top students at top public schools run circles around private school students. I do believe there’s a lot of myth making happening here. I agree there are 4.0 students with 1300 SATs, but those aren’t valedictorians. Those are usually kids who took less rigor to get those 4.0’s hence the lower SAT. The top students at my kid’s public school are insanely smart. They’re going to MIT and Harvard. These kids will be fun to watch.

While your post is informative, PP, please know that any adult who uses the term "tippy-top" in written correspondence, or verbal communication for that matter, is immediately dismissed as an airhead.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread seems to have a lot of "perfect GPA/ high rigor" kids who are surprised their kids are scoring in the 1300-1400 range (still a great score)!

I think what this shows is that grading standards at high schools (especially public ones) have become so inflated that GPA is a barely meaningful metric any more. Also demonstrates the folly of test optional policies.

Every high school is different. Every kid is different. Test scores should not be dispositive in the admissions context, but it is undeniably useful to have a single uniform and unbiased metric for all kids in the admissions pool (if only to normalize the wildly different quality and grading standards across high schools).

It's also helpful for students to understand their own strengths and weaknesses.

Another +1

In our school (a top private outside DMV), it’s quite common for a junior to get 1470-1550 in their first try, some after trying in 10th grade and getting 1430+, yet none of these kids has ever experienced a 4.0 in their life. They often have 3.7-3.85 GPAs. And before anyone says they must have tests prep tutors to achieve those high SATs, I can tell you our DCs didn’t and you have to then also ask why couldn’t those same tutors help them get the elusive 4.0.

I think schools that inflate GPAs have shot themselves in the foot because they invite college admissions to question the rigor of their curriculum. And when a school sends in 60 applications same year all with indistinguishable 4.0, top rigor, multiple club leaderships and school awards, the easiest way for admissions officers is to reject all of them.

Last year, 5 kids out of 110 in our school cracked 3.9 for their GPA; they all got into HYPMS, as did some with 3.85-3.89.

When you have an entrance exam to get into the high school, you can't take credit for the school's amazing SAT scores. My DD's school is the same way. But these girls all killed it in 8th grade on their entrance test. Not surprising they're high SAT scorers, too.

You misunderstood my point. My point was not that the school alone was responsible for high SAT scores. I was simply echoing OR who thought the frequent cases of super high GPA + lower SAT show many schools, esp public high schools, grade inflate. Whenever we hear on this board someone has a 4.0 GPA yet was shut out from T20, often they are from these same high schools, never from schools that only give 5 kids a 3.9. My point is top colleges have also caught on to the rampant grade inflation and the grade inflation may have backfired because it invites questions on the HS’s rigor if everyone could get a 4.0 yet those same kids couldn’t crack 1450.

THIS. Or the valedictorians from upper middle class publics with 1350, 1380, and mostly 3s because"no one gets 5s on AP" yet the private school has kids who did not crack the top 20% for GPA(cum laude) yet had 1550 and mostly 5s, JHU ED for Engineering and got in as they should (my nephew). Then people think it is unfair --no it is a better education and much less inflation; AO's know this.

This is not a thing.

The ridiculous stories private school parents tell themselves

It absolutely IS a thing to have valedictorians get 1300s and poor AP scores at so called top publics. I personally know two from different high schools in the same region of Virginia, class of 23 and 24.

At “so called top public’s”? What region is this? The top kids at my kids’ public high schools in a beleaguered urban school district in Hampton Roads are getting 1500+ SATs and racking up 5s on 12 or more APs.

And if the valedictorians at some of the rougher, underperforming high schools in my city are getting 1300s, I say good for them! That’s amazing!

It's not unusual for Valedictorians at our public high school to score in the 1400's. The school average is around 1040.

Is your HS considered a top public high school?

I think 1400s is a great score even for valedictorians. But at high performing public high schools the SAT average is way higher (high 1300s) and the valedictorian is usually a NMF too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread seems to have a lot of "perfect GPA/ high rigor" kids who are surprised their kids are scoring in the 1300-1400 range (still a great score)!

I think what this shows is that grading standards at high schools (especially public ones) have become so inflated that GPA is a barely meaningful metric any more. Also demonstrates the folly of test optional policies.

Every high school is different. Every kid is different. Test scores should not be dispositive in the admissions context, but it is undeniably useful to have a single uniform and unbiased metric for all kids in the admissions pool (if only to normalize the wildly different quality and grading standards across high schools).

It's also helpful for students to understand their own strengths and weaknesses.

Another +1

In our school (a top private outside DMV), it’s quite common for a junior to get 1470-1550 in their first try, some after trying in 10th grade and getting 1430+, yet none of these kids has ever experienced a 4.0 in their life. They often have 3.7-3.85 GPAs. And before anyone says they must have tests prep tutors to achieve those high SATs, I can tell you our DCs didn’t and you have to then also ask why couldn’t those same tutors help them get the elusive 4.0.

I think schools that inflate GPAs have shot themselves in the foot because they invite college admissions to question the rigor of their curriculum. And when a school sends in 60 applications same year all with indistinguishable 4.0, top rigor, multiple club leaderships and school awards, the easiest way for admissions officers is to reject all of them.

Last year, 5 kids out of 110 in our school cracked 3.9 for their GPA; they all got into HYPMS, as did some with 3.85-3.89.

When you have an entrance exam to get into the high school, you can't take credit for the school's amazing SAT scores. My DD's school is the same way. But these girls all killed it in 8th grade on their entrance test. Not surprising they're high SAT scorers, too.

You misunderstood my point. My point was not that the school alone was responsible for high SAT scores. I was simply echoing OR who thought the frequent cases of super high GPA + lower SAT show many schools, esp public high schools, grade inflate. Whenever we hear on this board someone has a 4.0 GPA yet was shut out from T20, often they are from these same high schools, never from schools that only give 5 kids a 3.9. My point is top colleges have also caught on to the rampant grade inflation and the grade inflation may have backfired because it invites questions on the HS’s rigor if everyone could get a 4.0 yet those same kids couldn’t crack 1450.

THIS. Or the valedictorians from upper middle class publics with 1350, 1380, and mostly 3s because"no one gets 5s on AP" yet the private school has kids who did not crack the top 20% for GPA(cum laude) yet had 1550 and mostly 5s, JHU ED for Engineering and got in as they should (my nephew). Then people think it is unfair --no it is a better education and much less inflation; AO's know this.

This is not a thing.

The ridiculous stories private school parents tell themselves

It absolutely IS a thing to have valedictorians get 1300s and poor AP scores at so called top publics. I personally know two from different high schools in the same region of Virginia, class of 23 and 24.

Absolutely not at top public schools. The tippy-top students at top public schools run circles around private school students. I do believe there’s a lot of myth making happening here. I agree there are 4.0 students with 1300 SATs, but those aren’t valedictorians. Those are usually kids who took less rigor to get those 4.0’s hence the lower SAT. The top students at my kid’s public school are insanely smart. They’re going to MIT and Harvard. These kids will be fun to watch.

The top students at our private are going to MIT and Harvard. They are insanely smart and were in math 2 and 3 years beyond multivariable.
How about we agree that there are top students all around???
Public and Private.