Is your SSAT/ISEE score more important than your grades, or is it vice versa?
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Vice versa. Grades generally show performance over time, ability to meet subjective expectations, etc. (though clouded by grade inflation). Test scores are in theory a measure of single sitting performance (though clouded by superscoring and actually most closely correlated with family income). Test scores are best approached by shooting for a score above the mean and moving on with other components of the application.
A third component that is at least as important as grades and test scores is letters of recommendation.
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Both grades and standardized test scores are important parts of an applicant’s portrait.
An applicant with a low B average and a 99 SSAT score paints a different picture than does an applicant with straight As and an SSAT score of 68.
Yet, another may present a high GPA with a very low (40s) standardized test score.
So, in addition to one’s grades and standardized test scores, information about an applicant’s school may also be deemed to be an important factor in the admissions process.
The point is that there are several important pieces of information that are considered before an admission decision is made.
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If a student has high scores and good grades, the AO can probably determine that the student has what it takes to do the work.
If the grades are high and the scores are low, it could indicate anything from a school with grade inflation or low standards to a student who simply doesn’t test well or one who simply works hard to get the work done. Clearly, some of those conclusions would suggest better or worse fits at different schools.
Likewise, a student with high scores and low grades could be one who doesn’t meet expectations because they are lazy or disorganized or one who isn’t really a “pleaser”. Or it could say something about the school’s grading. Overall, this profile probably requires more digging in terms of fit but isn’t necessarily a show-stopper.
What is measured on the SSAT is one set of skills that often correlates with academic success. But it’s not the only one.
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Do not shortchange studying for your classes to spend more time studying for the SSAT.
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While ssat scores have traditionally been somewhat important, many schools are moving away from scores and they are becoming less and less important.
Your grades and teacher recommendations are very important. Teacher recommendations help put grades into perspective as well.
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What @one1ofeach said is true. Many have other ways of getting some of the same info - asking you to write something at your interview, getting copes of your math syllabus, submission of a graded paper, etc. Most AOs I know are pretty confident they can get the information they need, often better, through means other than standardized tests.
Remember that their goal is to have a full picture of each applicant so they can build a community that will thrive. They aren’t looking at stats with the goal of eliminating applicants.
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