This guide covers target SSAT percentiles for 25+ of the most sought-after private schools in the United States, organized by competitiveness tier. We also explain how schools actually use these scores, because the number alone doesn't tell the full story.
How SSAT Scores Work (Quick Refresher)
Before diving into school-specific targets, it's important to understand what the numbers mean. The SSAT reports three types of scores, but schools primarily care about one: the percentile rank.
What Schools See
- Scaled score (500–800 per section, Upper)
- Percentile rank (1–99) — the key metric
- Writing sample (unscored but reviewed)
What the Percentile Means
- Compared to same-grade test-takers over 3 years
- 50th percentile = median, not "failing"
- The norm group is already self-selecting
Critical Context: A 50th percentile on the SSAT does not mean your child is "average" academically. SSAT test-takers are a self-selecting group of students applying to competitive private schools — they're already above the general student population. Scoring in the 50th percentile means your child performed at the median of an already high-achieving group.
Target SSAT Scores by School
The following data is compiled from published school profiles, admissions office disclosures, Test Innovators data, and reported admissions outcomes. Percentiles shown represent the typical range for admitted students, not official minimums.
| School | Location | Accept Rate | Target SSAT %ile | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phillips Exeter Academy | Exeter, NH | ~15% | 90–99th | Ultra-Elite |
| Phillips Academy Andover | Andover, MA | ~13% | 90–99th | Ultra-Elite |
| St. Paul's School | Concord, NH | ~17% | 90–99th | Ultra-Elite |
| Groton School | Groton, MA | ~12% | 88–99th | Ultra-Elite |
| Deerfield Academy | Deerfield, MA | ~17% | 88–99th | Ultra-Elite |
| The Lawrenceville School | Lawrenceville, NJ | ~14% | 85–97th | Most Competitive |
| The Hotchkiss School | Lakeville, CT | ~16% | 85–97th | Most Competitive |
| Choate Rosemary Hall | Wallingford, CT | ~19% | 85–96th | Most Competitive |
| Milton Academy | Milton, MA | ~16% | 85–96th | Most Competitive |
| Middlesex School | Concord, MA | ~18% | 83–95th | Most Competitive |
| Cate School | Carpinteria, CA | ~20% | 83–95th | Most Competitive |
| The Taft School | Watertown, CT | ~19% | 80–93th | Highly Selective |
| The Thacher School | Ojai, CA | ~12% | 80–95th | Highly Selective |
| Concord Academy | Concord, MA | ~22% | 78–93rd | Highly Selective |
| Loomis Chaffee School | Windsor, CT | ~25% | 75–90th | Highly Selective |
| The Hill School | Pottstown, PA | ~30% | 72–88th | Selective |
| Peddie School | Hightstown, NJ | ~28% | 70–88th | Selective |
| NMH (Northfield Mount Hermon) | Gill, MA | ~33% | 65–85th | Selective |
| The Governor's Academy | Byfield, MA | ~35% | 60–82nd | Selective |
| Tabor Academy | Marion, MA | ~38% | 60–80th | Traditional |
| Blair Academy | Blairstown, NJ | ~40% | 55–78th | Traditional |