LLNYer - I agree that the top tier of SSAT scorers are probably exceptionally gifted and will be at the top of the class. But I think that maybe only about ~1500 kids or so score in the top 5% and they don’t all go to boarding school. So, the remaining group of ~4500 kids between 80%-95% at any particular boarding school that reports an average SSAT score of >85% are nearly equivalent and have just as good of a chance in succeeding there.
mexusa - The fact that a kid works hard to improve scores and scratches his/her way into a boarding school probably says a lot about said kid and speaks to the potential for succeeding. Natural ability can only go so far in academic achievement. I agree that if all you are doing is studying to stay above the mean, then ECs and sports will drop lower in priority for a driven student.