pbraverman
01/10/2017 23:16
Subject: How are the ISEE and SSAT Scored?
Anonymous wrote:Do you think the weight of the SSAT/ISEE is different between 6th grade and 9th grade admissions?
That's pretty deep into the nitty-gritty! I don't think I could give a definitive answer.
Here are some very broad strokes: It depends on the school (some cultures seem to weigh test scores more heavily than others), but perhaps even more it could depend on the committee makeups. At many schools, the only people who would sit on both middle and upper school committees would be the head of school (likely but not certain) and the admission director. The rest of a committee's five or eight or ten members might comprise an assistant admission director or division admission director, the division head, a counselor, a learning specialist, and maybe one to four teachers (who probably change from year to year). So you have all of those individual views coming together trying to make sense of a lot of applications and notes from their colleagues. It's an incredibly inexact science practiced by very committed people doing their best.
That may not be very helpful, but it's what I know. If others have informed perspectives, I'd be eager to learn from them too.
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 <at> arcpd <dot> com
Anonymous
01/10/2017 16:48
Subject: How are the ISEE and SSAT Scored?
Do you think the weight of the SSAT/ISEE is different between 6th grade and 9th grade admissions?
pbraverman
01/10/2017 12:16
Subject: Re:How are the ISEE and SSAT Scored?
Cut
Any thoughts on an outlier low score in an individual section? Discounted or cause for concern?It could be discounted; it could be a concern for an admission office. It could be both!
Honestly, it depends on so many factors: How low? Which section? One sitting or consistent over two or more? Which schools? What grade? What strengths does your child's application demonstrate?
I'd be happy to offer a quick opinion if you want to send me a note with more details offline; see below for my address. Either way, I wish you and your child success in the process!
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 <at> arcpd <dot> com
Anonymous
01/10/2017 10:54
Subject: Re:How are the ISEE and SSAT Scored?
pbraverman wrote:Anonymous wrote:pbraverman wrote:Even at the most competitive schools, there are very few kids who have scored in the 95+ percentiles across the board. And, just as Harvard turns away more 2400s than they accept, many of those independent school applicants are not offered spots. The reason is that every school I've ever known will consider scores in the context of other attributes: sibling status, diversity, a potential all-American in soccer or basketball, a student whose acting prowess is nationally recognized as early as eighth grade, or a kid whose charm is simply off the charts. Those aren't "invented" examples: I've worked with all of those kids. Schools will also turn down kids who are very obnoxious, or who have very obnoxious parents, no matter the test scores. I've seen that too, unfortunately.
Where does that leave the majority of students--good kids with good scores and normal parents who are not future all-Americans or Broadway-bound? Is high school entry still the kind of glorified lottery that pre-K admission seems to be?
There is some aspect of a lottery to it, especially in the early grades, where kids are more homogenous and don't have track records. It's harder to admit kindergartners from a big pool than ninth graders. But that's only at the most competitive five or seven schools. The rest are places where good, normal kids usually find a great education. I'd strike the word "glorified" in your question. It's only glorified because people glorify it in a cultural way that's beyond my ability to explain.
Suffice it to say: If you believe in your child, rather than in the school, you'll find that he or she is capable of doing great almost anywhere! The irony is that families who believe in their kids, rather than in the school, are probably more likely to get in.
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.
Any thoughts on an outlier low score in an individual section? Discounted or cause for concern?
pbraverman
01/09/2017 18:40
Subject: Re:How are the ISEE and SSAT Scored?
Anonymous wrote:pbraverman wrote:Even at the most competitive schools, there are very few kids who have scored in the 95+ percentiles across the board. And, just as Harvard turns away more 2400s than they accept, many of those independent school applicants are not offered spots. The reason is that every school I've ever known will consider scores in the context of other attributes: sibling status, diversity, a potential all-American in soccer or basketball, a student whose acting prowess is nationally recognized as early as eighth grade, or a kid whose charm is simply off the charts. Those aren't "invented" examples: I've worked with all of those kids. Schools will also turn down kids who are very obnoxious, or who have very obnoxious parents, no matter the test scores. I've seen that too, unfortunately.
Where does that leave the majority of students--good kids with good scores and normal parents who are not future all-Americans or Broadway-bound? Is high school entry still the kind of glorified lottery that pre-K admission seems to be?
There is some aspect of a lottery to it, especially in the early grades, where kids are more homogenous and don't have track records. It's harder to admit kindergartners from a big pool than ninth graders. But that's only at the most competitive five or seven schools. The rest are places where good, normal kids usually find a great education. I'd strike the word "glorified" in your question. It's only glorified because people glorify it in a cultural way that's beyond my ability to explain.
Suffice it to say: If you believe in your child, rather than in the school, you'll find that he or she is capable of doing great almost anywhere! The irony is that families who believe in their kids, rather than in the school, are probably more likely to get in.
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 <at> arcpd <dot> com
pbraverman
01/09/2017 18:36
Subject: How are the ISEE and SSAT Scored?
Anonymous wrote:pbraverman wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:what do you mean she did not get any acceptance?
Did they give you guys a reason?
How was her grade at school?
She was in an alternative school and didn't have grades. Solid recommendations and we didn't need Financial Aid. But it wasn't an expansion year so we are trying again for sixth grade.
Good call. In most cases coming back is seen as a positive. Good luck!
Peter
Hope thats the case because we are doing the same-I suspect similar grade/school. My child's scores aren't strong but I am hoping strong transcript, recs and visit will overshadow. This time we are opening up and applying to several schools in addition.
If your choices include schools in Montgomery County or Virginia, your child will have a much greater chance of at least one offer. The DC schools are so competitive in large part because the perception is that DCPS doesn't offer a good alternative.
But the most important thing you said is the last — be sure to cast a wide net, and remember, the big schools are just schools. They aren't Wonka Golden Tickets or judgments on a child's life or a parent's parenting. High school isn't the end game, and neither is college. They're just steps in the process. Hard work, thoughtfulness, learning to take advantage of opportunities, and rebounding from failure will take your child much farther than a Yale degree, or whatever the high school equivalent is.
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 <at> arcpd <dot> com