What score do Saudi students need to be competitive for top-tier U.S. private schools?

There’s no secret code to crack, but here’s the rule of thumb: the higher, the better. For the SSAT and ISEE, most top-tier schools want to see scores in the 80th percentile or above. If you’ve got your eyes on the super-exclusive schools, think closer to the 90th percentile. But don’t forget, these tests are only one slice of the admissions pie. Essays, interviews, recommendations, and overall fit matter just as much—sometimes more.

The STAR Assessment is a different animal altogether. It’s adaptive, meaning the difficulty changes based on your child’s answers, and schools use a scaled score to check if students are at or above grade level. Translation? They just want reassurance that your child is keeping pace academically, not breaking world records.

And if your child’s score isn’t screaming “Harvard-bound,” don’t lose sleep. Admissions teams love well-rounded applicants. A stellar essay or a glowing teacher recommendation can tip the scales. That said, a strong test score can still make an impression—like spotting a camel cruising in a Ferrari. So yes, prepping for these tests is totally worth it.