Reply to How are the ISEE and SSAT Scored?

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[quote=pbraverman][quote=Anonymous]Look at the percentile score.[/quote]

As somebody who's counseled hundreds of students applying, I find the percentiles most helpful. Remember that these tests are taken ONLY by kids applying to independent schools, so the percentiles will be out of whack compared to a national scale. Your child's 48th percentile would be closer to 80th in a national sample, but 48 is probably pretty valid in the pool of applicants with whom he or she is applying.

I would be careful about assuming there is a "minimum" score, or that very high scores always lead to admission. In my experience, it is simply not true that the most competitive schools won't admit kids with scores below the 50th percentile – but in those cases there are mitigating factors important to the school, including family associations, diversity, sports, truly outstanding teacher recommendations, and so forth.

I've seen several kids with every sub-score above the 95th percentile. I've seen a few with scores like that who were denied for various reasons that I understood. I've seen kids with scores ranging from the teens to the mid-40s who were admitted at some of the most competitive schools in DC. There is no formula that guarantees admission, but there are ways to put together an application that emphasize strengths and mitigate weaknesses. Ultimately, especially as you climb the grades toward high school, who your child is will be more important than his or her scores.

Peter

_____________________

Disclaimer: The anonymity here makes me uncomfortable; it's easy to be uninformed, personal, or simply mean-spirited if people don't identify themselves. For that reason, I have an account so you know whose words you're reading. I have more than 20 years' experience as a teacher and administrator in independent schools, and I hope I can be helpful to some folks. If you don't like something I've said, you're in good company — there's a long line of past students ahead of you. :) If you want to chat further, please feel free to contact me offline: peter &lt;at&gt; arcpd &lt;dot&gt; com[/quote]

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