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How to Read SSAT & ISEE Scores: Percentiles, Stanines, and What They Mean
- Sapneil Parikh
- Aug 27
- 3 min read
Took the SSAT or ISEE and now staring at a wall of numbers? You’re not alone. Both exams package results in scaled scores, percentiles, and (for ISEE) stanines—plus section breakdowns and writing samples. This guide explains each piece in plain English so you can understand performance, set targets, and plan next steps.
What’s on an SSAT score report
The SSAT includes Verbal, Quantitative (Math), and Reading, plus an unscored writing sample. You’ll see:
Scaled scores by level
Elementary (Grades 3–4): 300–600 per section
Middle (Grades 5–7): 440–710 per section
Upper (Grades 8–11): 500–800 per section
Scaled scores come from your raw results (right, wrong, blank) adjusted for difficulty across forms.
Total scaled score
Elementary: 900–1800
Middle: 1320–2130
Upper: 1500–2400
This is the sum of the three section scaled scores.
Percentile rank
Your percentile compares you with same-grade SSAT testers from the past three years. A percentile of 85 means you outscored 85 percent of that group. Schools often glance here first because it shows where you sit in the applicant pool.
How schools read SSAT scores
Admissions teams focus on percentiles and section scaled scores. Context matters: strength in the program’s priority areas (for example, strong Quantitative percentiles for STEM-leaning schools) helps. Scores are one piece of a holistic review that also weighs grades, recommendations, essays, and activities.
Writing sample
Unscored, but schools receive a photocopy. They use it to check organization, clarity, and mechanics in your own handwriting under time pressure.
Optional question breakdown
Some reports show counts of correct, incorrect, and blank responses by section—useful for diagnosing pacing and accuracy.
What’s on an ISEE score report
The ISEE includes Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Mathematics Achievement, plus an unscored essay.
Scaled scores
Each section reports a scaled score from 760 to 940. There’s no single total score on the ISEE; schools review section results individually.
Percentile rank
Like the SSAT, your percentile compares you to same-grade ISEE testers from the past three years.
Stanine scores
ISEE converts percentiles to a nine-point stanine scale. Here’s the big picture:
Many competitive schools like to see stanines around 7–9, but expectations vary by school and grade.
Strengths and weaknesses
Some reports flag performance by skill or question type, which is gold for targeted prep.
Writing sample
Unscored, sent to schools for qualitative review of argument, structure, and grammar.
Key differences between SSAT and ISEE reports
Total score: SSAT provides a total scaled score; ISEE does not.
Scales: SSAT ranges vary by level; ISEE uses the same 760–940 per section.
Stanines: Only ISEE reports stanines (1–9).
Percentiles: Both include percentiles, but each uses its own testing population.
Guessing rule: SSAT deducts 0.25 for wrong multiple-choice answers; ISEE has no penalty.
How to use your report to improve
Find the biggest opportunities
Compare section percentiles or stanines. Target the lowest area first; raising one weak section can shift the overall profile most.
Drill specific skills
Use any skill or question-type analysis to pick practice sets. For example, if Reading inference questions lag, build a short daily routine around them.
Align with school expectations
Check your target schools’ published guidance (when available) or ask admissions for typical ranges. For ISEE, focus on stanines; for SSAT, focus on percentiles.
Don’t ignore the essay
Practice timed essays to tighten structure, evidence, and mechanics—admissions officers do read them.
Plan a retest strategically
SSAT allows multiple tests per school year (once per seasonal window). ISEE limits you to one test per season (fall, winter, spring, summer). Time your prep around those calendars.
Quick example to demystify the numbers
Imagine an Upper Level SSAT student with Verbal 720 (92nd percentile), Quantitative 650 (76th), Reading 610 (65th), total 1980. The fastest win is to focus on Reading skills and pacing; nudging Reading toward the mid-70s would noticeably strengthen the overall profile.
On ISEE, suppose stanines are 8V, 7Q, 6R, 7M. Reading at 6 is the priority. A few weeks of targeted practice on inference and vocabulary-in-context could lift that to a 7, producing a more balanced report.
Common questions
Do schools compare SSAT and ISEE percentiles directly?
Not exactly. Each test’s percentiles come from different norm groups. Schools familiar with both understand the context.
What matters more: scaled scores, percentiles, or stanines?
For SSAT, percentiles are often the quickest apples-to-apples signal; for ISEE, stanines carry a lot of weight. Schools still read section detail.
Should I switch tests if one looks better?
Possibly. Some students naturally perform better on one format. If practice data show a clear advantage and your schools accept either test, choosing your stronger exam can be smart.
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