To get back to at least part of the original question, you cannot compare SSAT standardized scores to most other standardized testing.

The norm group or reference group for SSAT is the pool of students who are applying to the SSAT-requiring schools. So it’s a skewed norm group and your percentiles are going to be lower for SSAT.

The HSPT, for example, has more of a typical national norm standardization.

For those familiar with ERB, you recieve national norms and also you get specifically for your area or specifically for the private school group. SSAT versus HSPT would be like those different standardization groups for percentiles on the ERB.

Not sure if I’m doing the best job articulating this but I hope this is helpful.

SO... if the guy DOESN'T say "by the way, I have worked at numerous independent schools and in fact am enough of an expert that people pay me for admissions advice," you don't trust him because he's not an "expert".... and if he DOES say all that, you don't trust him because you decide his sole motivation is getting business?

Kind of lose lose for him.

Poor guy. All he was doing was trying to be reassuring to some worried parents, by pointing out something that is manifestly true -- and that any admissions director will tell you if you bother to ask.

I know it shouldn't surprise me but I am always amaze at the gratuitous nastiness on this board.

So take it to the moderator. Say your piece to the person who makes the decisions.

So is your punctuation.

Anonymous wrote:Some people obviously appreciate Peyer’s contributions, some do not. If you do not, you are not forced to read them. He even puts his name to them so it’s easy for you to skip right over them. Chill out.

I think the term is ‘ambulance chasing’ . It’s unseemly.

And Peter, sweetie, the name ‘ Arc’ is already in use - it’s confusing:

https://www.thearc.org

Some people obviously appreciate Peyer’s contributions, some do not. If you do not, you are not forced to read them. He even puts his name to them so it’s easy for you to skip right over them. Chill out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Peter,

How are you the expert? You have no clue!
Those scores are actually every good. There is no majic formula. I know kids who’ve gotten into HA and other competitive schools with MUCH lower.

Actually, he IS "the expert."

https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-braverman-7711a428/
http://www.arcpd.com/bio/

You mean some dude trying to drum up his high cost consulting service is an ‘expert’? Okay - I’ll give him all my money RIGHT NOW!!
My family cannot exist without him!

Correct

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC got into both NCS and Sidwell with lower scores for 7th so don't give up hope. Scores are just part of the pitcure.

What do you think your DC had that worked in his/her favor?

Honestly, I think the interview is the biggest part of the picture for 7th grade. But I understand that response is easy to dismiss as a biased parent thinking DC is the bomb.

Anonymous wrote:I would not post exact test scores. They make your child identifiable. Just IMHO

Um... identifiable by whom, exactly? The only people who know an individual child's scores are their current school, the SSAT or ISEE people, their family and the schools to which they are applying. And thousands of kids in the DC area take these tests. Do you really think admissions staff memorize SSAT percentiles for each kid, read this forum, and try to match scores with kids they happen to know? And why would it be bad for a kid if the admissions staff knows that a kid's parent is wondering how those scores stack up at a particular school?

This seems paranoid.

I would not post exact test scores. They make your child identifiable. Just IMHO

Anonymous wrote:Peter,

How are you the expert? You have no clue!
Those scores are actually every good. There is no majic formula. I know kids who’ve gotten into HA and other competitive schools with MUCH lower.

Actually, he IS "the expert."

https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-braverman-7711a428/
http://www.arcpd.com/bio/

Anonymous wrote:DC got into both NCS and Sidwell with lower scores for 7th so don't give up hope. Scores are just part of the pitcure.

What do you think your DC had that worked in his/her favor?

DC got into both NCS and Sidwell with lower scores for 7th so don't give up hope. Scores are just part of the pitcure.