Great grades but bast test scores

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I asked an admissions person once what they saw as red flags. She said kids with high test scores but low grades. She said that means they can do well academically, but something is preventing their optimal performance (lack of motivation, mental health, partying…who knows). She said the school thinks, why wouldn’t those same issues follow them to college?

Or they could just be immature late bloomers.

[Anonymous]

Or not putting in the time to do well and focusing on playing sports, for example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I asked an admissions person once what they saw as red flags. She said kids with high test scores but low grades. She said that means they can do well academically, but something is preventing their optimal performance (lack of motivation, mental health, partying…who knows). She said the school thinks, why wouldn’t those same issues follow them to college?

That’s too bad because it is my kid. No prep 1530 SATs, good grades but not in top 20%. I cannot argue with admissions but his issue entirely organizational skills. He studies but losing track of due dates, gets assignments mixed up. Not all the time but I expect maturing in college will challenge him in this area but also inspire growth. I hope and somewhat expect that he will be a late bloomer. Again, not saying it is unfair but wish admissions would see potential instead of assume laziness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean by bad? I think this group is skewed.

Also, have your junior retake closer to senior year. My DD tested 1280, 1290 junior year but went up 100 points (without additional test prep) in the fall of senior year. She got into W&M ED.

When did your DD retake the SAT in the fall of senior year?

The October test date that was offered through her school. Scores came in a few days after the ED deadline, but were quickly updated in the W&M portal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
If there are no special needs involved, there is no such thing as "doesn't test well". What it means is that there is grade inflation at your kids' school, and the national standardized test score reflects his true performance.

You can help with that by paying for test prep and tutoring. I recommend the senior tutors at Prep Matters, but they're incredibly expensive (they did wonders for my son, though - got him from a 28 to a 35).

That is such an ignorant comment. Not saying grade inflation isn't a thing but some kids really do not test well. I was one of them in high school and I kicked ass in college and grad school. I have a kid with major test anxiety when it comes to standardized tests and I am sure it will impact her performance when the time comes for SATs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I asked an admissions person once what they saw as red flags. She said kids with high test scores but low grades. She said that means they can do well academically, but something is preventing their optimal performance (lack of motivation, mental health, partying…who knows). She said the school thinks, why wouldn’t those same issues follow them to college?

That’s too bad because it is my kid. No prep 1530 SATs, good grades but not in top 20%. I cannot argue with admissions but his issue entirely organizational skills. He studies but losing track of due dates, gets assignments mixed up. Not all the time but I expect maturing in college will challenge him in this area but also inspire growth. I hope and somewhat expect that he will be a late bloomer. Again, not saying it is unfair but wish admissions would see potential instead of assume laziness.

Executive functioning issues are not laziness. They are more like a learning disability/mental illness. (Not really the latter, but a challenge the kid has to overcome.) Schools just wonder what is up when they see this pattern, and consider it risky. That is the school I was talking to, not all schools mind you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or not putting in the time to do well and focusing on playing sports, for example.

Which could be considered lack of (academic) motivation/lack of focus/distraction. Again, something preventing them from reaching their full potential AS A STUDENT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is incorrect to argue with the fact that some very smart
kids do not test well.

There are many subtle learning/cognitive issues that come into play during timed, standardized test, which are very different than what is required for course performance. Most of you know know much about how the brain works. And you think kids are either smart or they are not. Obviously, that is a gross oversimplification.

It is also correct that some brilliant kids aren not teacher pleasers and get less than perfect grades for a whole host of teenage reasons. The sky high test scores show they are bright and still have some maturing to do.

What you call "teenage reasons," some schools would rather avoid. College students are still teenagers when they hit campus. And universities have many applicants to choose from who managed to buckle down in high school despite their age.

Most teachers do not give good grades because somehow has buttered them up. You could have more respect for them than that.
But you can keep telling yourself that that is why others are achieving higher grades than your child, if it makes you feel better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are all kinds of smart successful kids. There are kids that have high GPAs and high test scores, kids that have high GPAs and low test scores, and kids with low GPAs and high test scores. All these kids do well in college! Why do people on here have to be so aggressively mean?

Because a lot of people in DCUM have very black/white thinking. It's my way of thinking or else. Sometimes people who are very smart on paper can be very concrete thinkers.

[Anonymous]

My kid got good grades because she worked tremendously hard. She is not as bright as many kids who got better test scores. But her college recognized the fact that her work ethic was something they could get with her, and it was a good bet.

She absolutely excelled in college, due to the habits she had developed to overcome her cognitive liabilities.

[Anonymous]

Lots of kids are in the same boat due to online schooling. Everyone lost a little in the past 2-3 years.

If your child has rigorous courses, good grades, good essay, shows interest, it'll count for a lot. SAT scores may become less important as time wears on and schools see they can increase applications (and $$) and still find excellent students.

[Anonymous]

To OP - I think you said DC took SAT just once and got 1100. Try ACT. Then do test prep on preferred test to see how it goes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To OP - I think you said DC took SAT just once and got 1100. Try ACT. Then do test prep on preferred test to see how it goes.

From selecting easiest classes to selecting easier test. OP's kid has to face the reality at some point in life - can't go through life as a snowflake forever.

[Anonymous]

OP, what was your kid's last 2 math courses in high school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To OP - I think you said DC took SAT just once and got 1100. Try ACT. Then do test prep on preferred test to see how it goes.

From selecting easiest classes to selecting easier test. OP's kid has to face the reality at some point in life - can't go through life as a snowflake forever.

ACT is not easier. It focuses on different skills. You still are out into a national percentile and there is a concordance table.