Reply to Getting into 9th Grade -- importance of SSAT scores

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I just can't figure out how an A student can end up with a 70 percentile on the SSAT.  What is it about those standardized test?  Yes, some kids with C averages end up with 99%.

Can anyone explain this SSAT business and how it impacts upper school admission?  This is ridiculous that a 3-hour test tells the story of a solid academic history.  Whew!![/quote]

It's a fairly good, but not perfect, predictor -- kids with very low scores do tend to have more difficulties -- and schools look to it because the grading standards at different places are wildly divergent.  Same as the SAT for college -- you have kids with A plus averages from terrible school systems that get under 500 on the SAT verbal and/or math.  The SSAT, like the SAT, is just a tool, and it's not the only tool in the toolbox, and sometimes it turns out it's not the right tool for the job.  But you still want it in your toolbox.

[/quote]But how does this relate to students from good privates who are strong academically?  I think that's where the confusion comes in where you have strong privates but students bomb out on the standardized tests.  That's why so many parents and kids are so surprised when they get their results.  How do you explain it other than anxiety?  I know the question writers throw curves in the questions.   [/quote]

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