Should we submit lower than expected SAT scores

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trying to figure it out too, but a tier down from OPs schools. On the one hand, colleges will receive some of the highest scores to date, albeit less submitted. The kids who took it last Aug, Oct and Dec are submitting very high scores.

So, how does one decide for a kid with a low 1400, only one shot. I think there's so much at play here. DS has shown me all of the emails blowing smoke. College websites have dedicated pages, dripping with empathy for the class of 2021. Yet, if they're getting less score submissions, but higher scores, then the low 1400 score may be a hindrance. Because buried in all the empathy, a low 1400 drags down those 1500+

I’ve wondered about this. If only the 1600 kids are submitting scores, and they have to choose between an all A student with a 1400 and an all A student with no scores, would they pick the one with no scores to keep their average yeast score up? Assuming equivalent applications otherwise, they won’t be worried about either all A student being able to do college-level work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sound so old but back in 1992 a 1450 SAT was unheard of at my high school and you would have been asked for autographs with a 1400. What the heck happened between then and now?

The test changed 4 or 5 times since then. The current test (redesigned 2016) is not comparable.

There are charts that show how the old scores compare to today. I was amazed to see what kids need to score to get admitted these days until I saw what my old score translates into on the new scale.

[Anonymous]

If the scores make her more competitive for your schools, disclose the scores. If it makes her less competitive, don't disclose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some students haven't been able to take the SAT or ACT even once

Yep, DS is in this boat as are many others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I sound so old but back in 1992 a 1450 SAT was unheard of at my high school and you would have been asked for autographs with a 1400. What the heck happened between then and now?

The test changed 4 or 5 times since then. The current test (redesigned 2016) is not comparable.

There are charts that show how the old scores compare to today. I was amazed to see what kids need to score to get admitted these days until I saw what my old score translates into on the new scale.

Many of these charts are inaccurate. Statistics have changed a lot since the 1990s and it makes them incomparable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trying to figure it out too, but a tier down from OPs schools. On the one hand, colleges will receive some of the highest scores to date, albeit less submitted. The kids who took it last Aug, Oct and Dec are submitting very high scores.

So, how does one decide for a kid with a low 1400, only one shot. I think there's so much at play here. DS has shown me all of the emails blowing smoke. College websites have dedicated pages, dripping with empathy for the class of 2021. Yet, if they're getting less score submissions, but higher scores, then the low 1400 score may be a hindrance. Because buried in all the empathy, a low 1400 drags down those 1500+

I’ve wondered about this. If only the 1600 kids are submitting scores, and they have to choose between an all A student with a 1400 and an all A student with no scores, would they pick the one with no scores to keep their average yeast score up? Assuming equivalent applications otherwise, they won’t be worried about either all A student being able to do college-level work.

Yes. That’s why it’s up to the student to be strategic about submitting vs not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trying to figure it out too, but a tier down from OPs schools. On the one hand, colleges will receive some of the highest scores to date, albeit less submitted. The kids who took it last Aug, Oct and Dec are submitting very high scores.

So, how does one decide for a kid with a low 1400, only one shot. I think there's so much at play here. DS has shown me all of the emails blowing smoke. College websites have dedicated pages, dripping with empathy for the class of 2021. Yet, if they're getting less score submissions, but higher scores, then the low 1400 score may be a hindrance. Because buried in all the empathy, a low 1400 drags down those 1500+

I’ve wondered about this. If only the 1600 kids are submitting scores, and they have to choose between an all A student with a 1400 and an all A student with no scores, would they pick the one with no scores to keep their average yeast score up? Assuming equivalent applications otherwise, they won’t be worried about either all A student being able to do college-level work.

Yes. That’s why it’s up to the student to be strategic about submitting vs not.

But how is this possible? Too many unknown variables. It's a crap shoot. I'm the "trying to figure it out" poster. I believe kids with decent test scores have an edge. I also believe that nothing has changed and that yield is their top priority. Although dripping in empathy for Covid 2021 kids, I see it as merely a strategy to increase apps and reject accordingly for their almighty yield. It's disingenuous and shady marketing directed at 17 year olds. Parents need to help their kids understand this. Safeties are more important than ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trying to figure it out too, but a tier down from OPs schools. On the one hand, colleges will receive some of the highest scores to date, albeit less submitted. The kids who took it last Aug, Oct and Dec are submitting very high scores.

So, how does one decide for a kid with a low 1400, only one shot. I think there's so much at play here. DS has shown me all of the emails blowing smoke. College websites have dedicated pages, dripping with empathy for the class of 2021. Yet, if they're getting less score submissions, but higher scores, then the low 1400 score may be a hindrance. Because buried in all the empathy, a low 1400 drags down those 1500+

I’ve wondered about this. If only the 1600 kids are submitting scores, and they have to choose between an all A student with a 1400 and an all A student with no scores, would they pick the one with no scores to keep their average yeast score up? Assuming equivalent applications otherwise, they won’t be worried about either all A student being able to do college-level work.

Yes. That’s why it’s up to the student to be strategic about submitting vs not.

But how is this possible? Too many unknown variables. It's a crap shoot. I'm the "trying to figure it out" poster. I believe kids with decent test scores have an edge. I also believe that nothing has changed and that yield is their top priority. Although dripping in empathy for Covid 2021 kids, I see it as merely a strategy to increase apps and reject accordingly for their almighty yield. It's disingenuous and shady marketing directed at 17 year olds. Parents need to help their kids understand this. Safeties are more important than ever.

NP. I think this is correct, the uncertainty, need for safeties, college focus on yield. Let's not forget that this includes yield management, denying/deferring/waitlisting high stats students who don't seem likely to attend the college in question.

My view is that any score in the middle 50 percentiles may be worth submitting as additional proof of the student's academic skills being sufficient for the college (hmm, what might score indicate for yield??). If only high scorers are submitting for the most part, then the college has nothing to worry about for their test score range. Reported ranges will skew weirdly high for college class of 2025, in the 2021-2022 Common Data Set, and everyone in admissions will be aware of this.

[Anonymous]

She should submit. Most schools are aware of the usnews penalty for schools that have more than 25% test optional students thus you child will be competing for a reduxed number of seats for a lot of test optional students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at the Common Data Set for the college to see where 1400 falls in the distribution.

I was about to say the same thing. If more than 50 percent of admitted students fall below your kid's score, I would submit. If 25 percent or less of admitted students fall below your kid's score, I would not submit. If the answer is somewhere in between, I don't know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She should submit. Most schools are aware of the usnews penalty for schools that have more than 25% test optional students thus you child will be competing for a reduxed number of seats for a lot of test optional students.

USNWR is going to have to change this year or its results will be messed up.

[Anonymous]

My kid school uses Scoir. Does anyone know what the composite range for SAT in Scoir mean? 25%-75% or something else?

For example, if it says "Composite 1320 – 1490", does it mean the middle 50% (25%-75%) of admitted students have SAT scores from 1320 to 1490? TIA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She should submit. Most schools are aware of the usnews penalty for schools that have more than 25% test optional students thus you child will be competing for a reduxed number of seats for a lot of test optional students.

USNWR is going to have to change this year or its results will be messed up.

Agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I sound so old but back in 1992 a 1450 SAT was unheard of at my high school and you would have been asked for autographs with a 1400. What the heck happened between then and now?

Ha! Completely agree.

[Anonymous]

Can y’all step back and take a look at how micro-invested you are in your child’s brag worthy achievements? My parents never once asked me , “Did you finish your homework?” Much less take any interest in my SAT score. I took the test at school (prep, what’s that?) and neither parent asked about my score. I had to learn all by myself how to fill out college and graduate school applications. And how to pay for it. Shocking life skills for one so young! I hazard to say I ended up more outwardly successful than will your spoiled, helicoptered kids. Just food for thought, people.