girlgeekmom

@Sharing -- I knew it was an experimental section from friends who took it this year, but neither our dd nor her friends encountered it when taking last year's tests, so perhaps it is only on "every real test" this year, or every few years, etc.

Anyone know if this is the case or if the extra section is "the new normal?"

beeba13

does anyone know when we find out our results? i think i need to take it again in december

SharingGift

Maybe that is the case... my previous post was simply based on our experience (sample size=1) and what was stated in the official guide, which doesn't say anything about the origin and frequency of the Experimental Section. Let me just quote what it says:

"SSATB is continuously creating new forms of the test to make sure it's reliable and secure. This means that new questions have to be tested to determine if they are acceptable for the SSAT. Your exam might contain one of these sections, consisting of 16 questions. Although they don't count towards your score, it's important to take them seriously and do your best on them, since those questions will help build future tests for students like you. The experimental section takes just 15 minutes."

I guess the word "might" in "Your exam might contain..." can be interpreted as it won't necessarily appear in every test.

According to the guidebook, this section is scheduled to be the last section of the test. So even if the questions were unusual and weird to disrupt your rhythm somehow, students should be alright.

paobs12

If you registered through the SSAT.org website, you should receive an email within 2 weeks with information about how to link to your scores. If you elected to have them mailed to you, it will take a bit longer. Students who took the Nov. 10th test can opt to cancel their scores before tomorrow (Tuesday, 11/12), but that should only be done if your truly think that you "bombed," and fell far short of your abilities. If the scores are cancelled, you will not receive any indication of how you did. You can always sign up for the test in December, and then choose not to take it if you are happy with the scores that your received on the November test. However, I am not sure if you can get a refund for your test fees in this case.

SharingGift

SSAT scores are graded for each grade and gender group, so any given test might be more difficult, say, for an eighth grader than for a tenth grader. My eighth grader DD had felt her SSAT (practice and real) were quite challenging, in fact, compared to SAT but couldn't be much happier with her scores in the end.

SSAT is a "standardized" test, meaning that prep schools need this test to calibrate academic performance of students across different schools in different states and countries. Without it, it'd be difficult to compare an A grade from one school to an A from another school. So my belief is that when a student have two quite different test scores - one good and one bad, prep schools take SSAT scores more aligned with classroom performance (GPA) and teacher recommendation letters more seriously than the ones that are not aligned. Of course, if a student's performance before the test happened to be weak, then s/he should try the best to make it up.

Anyway, this is just my personal belief, but I think it's quite reasonable. If a student wants to be certain, s/he should contact individual schools for exact policy; I don't think one would be penalized for asking this question.

SevenDad

Advice on scores...simply don't add schools to your "send scores to" list until you know what your scores are.

paobs12

Oh, that is a really good point, SevenDad! If you take the SSATs more than once, can you select some schools to get the first scores, and others to get the second, or will the SSAT send both sets?

SevenDad

@paobs12: I don't know for sure...been too long since I had to deal with SSAT. I do recall putting schools on the list before the test, then taking them off the day after she took the test...as I didn't know how she'd do. She did fine on both test sittings, and I'm pretty sure I was able to send the higher set of scores.

SharingGift

@7Dad, paobs12: Just after reading your posts, I felt dumb... since I added all the schools my DD had applied at the time of test registration. Then, I thought I couldn't be that dumb, so looked up the SSAT web page again. This is what it states:

So my logic was, if the schools would find out how many tests my D had taken after all, then wonder why she would report one test but not another, I thought why not just report whatever that comes out regardless of score? If AO ever asks how good/bad the other test was, it would be hard not to answer anyway. If one withholds scores, then I guess the AO would be entitled to imagine whichever way s/he wants, probably not favorable thoughts...

paobs12

Another good point. Perhaps it would be better if our children took their tests, got their scores, and then selected the schools that they wanted their results sent to. Any guess as to how many schools get scores that never result in applications? The paper (or digital) trail for this whole process must be mind-numbing. At the same time, it makes sense that you would want schools to see your child's best scores. If there are weaker scores out there, and the school wants to find out what they are, they are welcome to add that extra step to the trail.

plymouth1

My son took the SSAT flex test at his school (K-8) this fall, and many performed below what they had tested on the lower level test. The "word" is that they changed the test, and it is now harder with many new questions. The 5th section was an experimental section, and does not count toward the final score. The concern is that the test is normed against a rolling 3-yr average, so that percentiles may be deflated, but raw scores will be comparable. Most kids retook the test on Nov.10th, and I think many are signed up for the December date as well.

paobs12

if this website alone is any indication, the 3-year average will be pretty high. So many smart kids here!

SharingGift

Good that all applicants have to use test scores from the current academic year... which should make comparison quite fair.

MA2012

DS took the SSAT in October and got the scores back in about a week. We just checked the website from time to time. I think fewer students take in October, so it might take a little longer. I think the website gives a target date to get scores back.

There was another thread recently about 8th grade math scores. Understanding SSAT scores

paobs12

Just got an email. November 10th test scores are in. Good luck to everyone!