HSPT Scores

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son applied to SJC. We have not seen his HSPT scores yet (took test 12/16 at SJC) but SJC and other schools have had them for at least two weeks based on letters we've gotten from the schools regarding how he did and honors programs. Interestingly, even though one letter went out before the final HSPT test date, the letter referenced how he tested by percentile nationally.

The national norm is not based on kids taking the test this year, it was established when the test itself was "standardized," so they know your national percentile even before everyone locally takes the test. But a high enough national ranking probably traditionally equates to a high enough local ranking too, so no need to wait.

"This scale is established on the basis of a nationwide testing program that is conducted at the time a test battery is standardized. Thus, the national norm scale offers the means to compare an individual’s performance (raw score) against that of a representative sample of stu-dents throughout the nation. Regardless of the type of normative score—percentile ranks, grade equivalents, standard scores—all national norm scales are established in this manner."

The local percentile is based on a straight ranking of kids taking the test in the local pool this year, either from a given school, or given test location, or among the ADW, depending on how the ADW requests the local scores to be reported.

http://www.ststesting.com/hp_int_sts.pdf

[Anonymous]

can someone spell out for me what we are looking at in terms of where to look on the results sheet in terms of percentile? Is that the last column?

[Anonymous]

Anyone have a kid who gets a really high score but puts little effort into school or grades? Wonder how it plays out if they're placed into a top academic level based on the HSPT score. Basically, a mismatch between effort and ability.

[Anonymous]

HSPT scores have been sent!

[Anonymous]

I didn't realize until I opened the email that it's a national rank. My DS scores are all over the place. Two even below average. Doomed for SJC!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a kid who gets a really high score but puts little effort into school or grades? Wonder how it plays out if they're placed into a top academic level based on the HSPT score. Basically, a mismatch between effort and ability.

Ah, the classic underachiever. Most schools like to take these kids because they have so much unrealized potential and they take the standardized test curve up. They think all they have to do is find a way to motivate them..Sadly its much harder to do then they admit and I'm speaking from experience.

[Anonymous]

Do the schools use National Percentage? I didn't see Local on the report? I assume Local is very close to the National Percentage, but not sure.

[Anonymous]

All I can say is thank God for the SSAT and OLSAT/SCAT. Wildly inconsistent scores here.

[Anonymous]

What score is needed to get into SJC Honors Program? Also, do they look at all of the scores or just the composite?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a kid who gets a really high score but puts little effort into school or grades? Wonder how it plays out if they're placed into a top academic level based on the HSPT score. Basically, a mismatch between effort and ability.

Ah, the classic underachiever. Most schools like to take these kids because they have so much unrealized potential and they take the standardized test curve up. They think all they have to do is find a way to motivate them..Sadly its much harder to do then they admit and I'm speaking from experience.

Yes. I'm wondering what happens if they don't fulfill the expectations of the Honors/Advanced programs they're placed into. Do the schools drop them down or try to "counsel" them to live up to their potential?

[Anonymous]

MY DD hit it out of the ball park in reading and math (97%), which correspond with her grades. Her other scores were all average. I know she wasn't able to finish some sections. Hopefully the school will just go with the reading and math scores, or is that just wishful thinking....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All I can say is thank God for the SSAT and OLSAT/SCAT. Wildly inconsistent scores here.

I feel you. Son scored great on Math section of SSAT and terrible on HSPT. His scores are all over the place. This is annoying. How much do schools place on this test? Is it 50% of the decision? Do they only look at kids with a certain percentile and the rest of the applicants don't even get a look?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have a kid who gets a really high score but puts little effort into school or grades? Wonder how it plays out if they're placed into a top academic level based on the HSPT score. Basically, a mismatch between effort and ability.

Ah, the classic underachiever. Most schools like to take these kids because they have so much unrealized potential and they take the standardized test curve up. They think all they have to do is find a way to motivate them..Sadly its much harder to do then they admit and I'm speaking from experience.

Yes. I'm wondering what happens if they don't fulfill the expectations of the Honors/Advanced programs they're placed into. Do the schools drop them down or try to "counsel" them to live up to their potential?

Also wondering if it's "worth it" to continue to shell out money for a private school if the effort is not there....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All I can say is thank God for the SSAT and OLSAT/SCAT. Wildly inconsistent scores here.

I feel you. Son scored great on Math section of SSAT and terrible on HSPT. His scores are all over the place. This is annoying. How much do schools place on this test? Is it 50% of the decision? Do they only look at kids with a certain percentile and the rest of the applicants don't even get a look?

Not in D.C. area, and have not received our HSPT scores yet. However, DS did well on the SSAT, particularly Quantitative. So we forwarded his SSAT to the Catholic high school to which he's applying (they told us in our interview that they'd be happy to have them). In case HSPT results are not what we expect, they can see he still has good chops on testing.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how we could see local scores versus national scores? I would imagine that once you compare the scores locally, most kids' national percentages would go down since the competition locally is probably stiffer than nationally. But maybe not....just wondering. And I've heard that even if you child gets super high 97 plus scores, they may still be rejected from some of the more competitive schools? Is this true? UGH!