Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DC scored in 50 percentile for two sections, 80 percentile for one section. B grades. More art focused than athletics.

Any chance DC can get into top privates?

Well, why do you want a child at a top school who isn't at the top?
Or do you think the scores don't represent your child?

Please. Not all kids at "top schools" are "top kids." See the other threads about middling scores.

Got in sidwell with scores in 60s.

unfortunately prepping helps which is why this test is economically unfair. I would have her Prep for ISEE.

My DD was in same situation last year, with almost the same numbers, and same profile (very arts oriented). She retook the SSAT in January, did significantly better (after prepping for the test with a tutor), and results in January were far more even -- 80s across the board. She got into a top private.

That's all well and good but SSATS in the 50th percentile will knock you right out of the running no matter what your grades are or whether your recs are good. Take the test again if you are looking at sidwell or the cathedral schools or GDS.

I think there can be a whole debate as to whether the SSAT is an accurate reflection of a student's ability. After all, if it was solely based on ability, there would be no "test prep" needed. Most of these schools know (from years of student applications & acceptances) which schools grade easier, what teacher recommendations hold water, etc. During a high school tour we were asked who my child had for English at our current school. They commented that they love getting "Teacher X's" students as they are so well prepared and adjust very well. That seems to me that they have a pretty good handle on what they can expect from not only certain area schools, but the specific teachers as well.

Anonymous wrote:My DC scored in 50 percentile for two sections, 80 percentile for one section. B grades. More art focused than athletics.

Any chance DC can get into top privates?

Well, why do you want a child at a top school who isn't at the top?
Or do you think the scores don't represent your child?

Anonymous wrote:SSAT is not the be all and end all. Solid recommendations and good interview/shadow visits are as important

But standardized test scores are partly used to baseline uneven grading scales from many schools. A's at some are B's at others and some are just teacher dependent. A standardized test levels that out by testing them all on the same things. Of course schools take into account that some kids are just not good test takers, but still . . . I'm sure top privates are looking for higher scores but perhaps your child has some artistic skills that will shine through. An art portfolio or something?

That's going to be tough. Mine didn't get in with low 80s, nearly all As and good ECs. The test scores seemed to be the problem from what we were told. Worth taking again though. The lesson learned was that DC had to spend some time prepping for the SATs and did much better on that test as a result.

Only if DC is at a feeder school. Have your kid take them again, and then again in January. The more often you take them, the better at it you get.

Would only take the ISEE now if she is super good in math.

She could do a retake or take the isee and see if she gets a better score.

SSAT is not the be all and end all. Solid recommendations and good interview/shadow visits are as important

Same boat.

My DC scored in 50 percentile for two sections, 80 percentile for one section. B grades. More art focused than athletics.

Any chance DC can get into top privates?