Interpreting SSAT Scores
Online & Printed Practice
How do schools look at SSAT scores? And what do scores mean as part of the overall admission application?
How do schools look at SSAT scores? And what do scores mean as part of the overall admission application?
The requirements for each school are different, and your best option is to speak with their admission representatives, as only they can explain how they use scores and what emphasis they place on various elements of your application.
When reviewing SSAT score reports, we encourage families and admission officers to focus on the scaled score, which appears as "Your Score." The scaled score offers the most precise measure of a student's performance and is consistent over time—a scaled score today means the same as it did 30 years ago.
The SSAT percentile is also helpful for admission consideration as it compares performance with other SSAT test-takers in the same grade.
If you're concerned about your child's scores, it's essential to remember that most schools look at prospective students holistically. In addition to the SSAT, schools get to know students and develop an understanding of who is a good fit for their programs through:
Please use the free resources we've compiled on Admission.org to help your family throughout the application process. You may also consider subscribing to Admission Academy for advice from top private school admission directors and other industry experts.