If you've been having a hard time finding the right Buffalo SSAT prep course or instructor, Varsity Tutors is here to connect you to exceptional SSAT review opportunities. The SSAT, also known as the Secondary School Admissions Test, is a standardized exam used by many admission offices to evaluate the skills and abilities of prospective students hoping to enroll in a private or independent school. This exam measures basic math, verbal, and reading skills needed for successful performance at a private or independent school. The SSAT is not the only factor taken into account for admissions but provides a fair way for schools to assess and compare various applicants.
The SSAT has five sections, which include Reading, Verbal, Quantitative, Experimental, and Writing. The Experimental and Writing sections do not receive a score. Your student's writing sample will be sent along with SSAT scores to any private or independent schools applied to. Students at different grade levels take different SSAT exams. Third-grade and fourth-grade students applying to an independent school for the upcoming school year take the Elementary Level SSAT. Fifth, sixth, and seventh graders looking to attend an independent middle school for the next school year will take the Middle Level SSAT. There is also an Upper Level SSAT for students in the eighth through eleventh grade seeking admission to an independent or private high school for the following year. There is a lot of content covered on the SSAT. Quality Buffalo SSAT prep can help your student review all the content needed to feel confident on test day.
What topics and skills can be covered in Buffalo SSAT prep to help my student prepare for the SSAT?
SSAT prep will make sure to cover each section of the SSAT so your student can feel ready to walk into the exam with confidence on test day. Let's take a look at the different skills necessary for each Level of the SSAT.
Upper Level students will have to answer 167 different questions in just under three hours. The Writing sample will require your student to be able to organize a story or essay and will assess skills such as grammar, punctuation, and spelling. There will be two Quantitative sections that assess your student's knowledge of algebra, data analysis and probability, coordinate and plane geometry, and different number operations. The Reading section will require your student to interpret the meaning of a passage and extract information from the narrative of argumentative passages. The Verbal section will assess your student's knowledge of synonyms and analogies as well as Greek, Latin, and Anglo-Saxon prefixes and suffixes.
Middle Level students taking the SSAT will also be answering 167 questions with a time limit of two hours and 50 minutes. The Writing section at this level provides your student with two creative prompts. Your student must select one of the prompts on which to base a story. This level also has two Quantitative sections requiring your student to demonstrate his or her ability to find the area and perimeter of geometric shapes, as well as the ability to work with mean, median, and mode. The Reading section will require your child to be able to make predictions based on a passage as well as evaluate arguments and opinions. The Verbal section will assess your student on word roots and ability to determine the meaning of a word from context.
Elementary Level students will answer 89 questions and have a time limit of one hour and 50 minutes. This Level only has one Quantitative section that covers basic math such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The Verbal section assesses your student on age-appropriate vocab from different areas of study such as technology, science, or social studies. The Reading section requires your student to be able to locate the main idea of a passage. At this Level, the Writing assessment merely asks your student to write a story based on a provided picture.
What are the benefits of the different types of Buffalo SSAT prep?
When you choose Varsity Tutors for your student's SSAT prep, you will have the opportunity to choose two different options. We offer the opportunity to enroll in an online interactive prep class as well as the option to work with a private SSAT mentor. Both of these options have been designed to help you prepare properly for the SSAT, but each comes with its own unique set of benefits and advantages. Here, we will take a closer look at each option.
If your student is the kind of learner who enjoys the social and structured environment of a typical classroom setting, you may wish to sign him or her up for a Buffalo SSAT prep class. Your student can access live class sessions anywhere he or she can find the Internet and a computer. This allows students to take their classes in the local library, in the comfort of their own home, or even at their favorite cafe.
In an SSAT prep class, your student will be able to participate in collaborative activities and group discussions while reviewing the concepts necessary to do well on the SSAT. Your student also has the opportunity to set up individual sessions with the instructor to answer questions that may not have been answered during a class session.
When you sign your student up for an SSAT course, you will have the option of choosing between a two-week and a four-week course. New sessions start each week so your student can begin a course at any time.
If your student is an independent learner, a private Buffalo SSAT tutor may be the right option. This allows your student to receive personalized lessons that cater to his or her exact areas of need. Lessons can be created to focus on the exact areas your student needs to improve instead of spending time reviewing concepts he or she may have already mastered. This makes study sessions more efficient and effective.
Some students may even wish to take advantage of both options, which provide your student with the opportunity for personalized lessons and collaborative activities. Varsity Tutors is here to support your student in reaching for his or her goals, no matter which option you choose.
How do I sign up to get started with Buffalo SSAT prep?
All you need to do is call Varsity Tutors and speak to one of our Educational Consultants. We will walk you through the process of enrolling in a course or connecting with an excellent private teacher. Call us today to get started with the best Buffalo SSAT preparation available.

Joseph: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
Hello! I am recent grad from UW-Madison in Mathematics. I love teaching math because I am a firm believer that everyone is capable of understanding math and helping students realize that within themselves is incredibly gratifying. I particularly like teaching calculus because that's where math starts to get fun, students begin developing a type of thinking that I affectionately refer to as mathematical freestyling.
Education & Certification
- University of Wisconsin Colleges - Bachelor in Arts, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- PSAT
- ACT
- SHSAT
- +25 subjects

Usman: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
...a medium-sized Rust Belt city. I enjoy learning and teaching, playing music, and casual bike riding, among other things. I hold a bachelor's degree in Politics with a minor in History from New York University. While I enjoy discussing a variety of subjects, tutoring math, history, and political science are perhaps most appealing to me. I find that the act of explaining something to someone else helps me to understand it on an even deeper...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SHSAT
- SAT
- ASVAB
- +87 subjects

Caroline: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
...English Literature and Russian and Eastern European Studies. I have taught English in China and Thailand to students of all ages, prepared students for international exams, provided coaching for immigration interviews, and worked in both general and special education classrooms in the greater Buffalo region. I am inspired by those I teach and endeavor to help my students channel their creativity and realize their potential while making content relevant outside of the confines of the...
Education & Certification
- College of the Holy Cross - Bachelor in Arts, English Literature
- SUNY College at Buffalo - Masters, English Education 7-12
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- PSAT
- GED
- +92 subjects
Education & Certification
- Valencia College - Associate in Arts, General Studies
- Florida College of Integrative Medicine - Master of Science, Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ASVAB
- REGENTS
- ACT
- +72 subjects

Alyssa: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
...years. In Brooklyn I was on the founding faculty of a charter school. There I was able to help develop the ELA, Math and Social Studies curriculums. In addition, I piloted the theatre department by starting the Drama Club and later teaching the first Theatre elective class. My primary role in Brooklyn was part of the Special Education department as a Learning Specialist. In this role I gained experience co - teaching in ELA, Math...
Education & Certification
- SUNY at Geneseo - Bachelors, Childhood and Special Education
- Teachers College at Columbia University - Masters, Reading Specialist
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- TACHS
- ISEE
- SHSAT
- +27 subjects

Yassin: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
...my time learning how to study, and the rest of my time studying. Don't get me wrong, I am not a study nerd at all, I was a judo champion once, and I do a lot of other things as well. I believe the most important skill in life is learning how to learn and encode skills especially in adult years. That's why when I tutor you, first I will teach you how to learn...
Education & Certification
- Alexandria School - Bachelor of Science, Premedicine
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- +25 subjects
Education & Certification
- SUNY at Fredonia - Bachelor of Science, Elementary School Teaching
- North Carolina State University at Raleigh - Doctor of Education, Educational Administration
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- ACT
- PSAT
- +32 subjects

Eliot: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
...stranger to academia, I have a Bachelor Degree in Linguistics from Carnegie Mellon, a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering from University at Buffalo, and a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University. I have over a decade of tutoring experience and pride myself in really connecting with my students' learning styles and aspirations. My main strength as a tutor is in the maths, but I can also offer exemplary essay editing advice and my...
Education & Certification
- Carnegie Mellon University - Bachelor in Arts, Linguistics
- University at Buffalo - Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering
- Boston University - Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ACCUPLACER
- SAT
- ISEE
- +70 subjects

Ryan: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
...young people. I have 6 years of experience teaching summer reading classes for students ages K-12, in which I helped students hone their skills in comprehension, textbook reading, fluency, beginning phonics, essay-writing, long-word decoding, and vocabulary enhancement. I also have one year of experience in individual tutoring for ACT/SAT test prep, reading (K-12), writing (K-12), world and U. S. history (high school and college), and writing skills (K-12). I enjoy working with students of all...
Education & Certification
- The Catholic University of America - Bachelor in Arts, History
- SUNY at Binghamton - Master of Arts, History
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- TOEFL
- TACHS
- SAT Subject Tests
- +266 subjects

Erica: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
I love working with students of all sorts and especially love finding ways to make complex information more understandable. I have taught English and History as well as tutored the SAT/ACT for many years. I can help you edit your essays, read materials that are challenging, and yes, I do math too! I'm especially happy to help you with SAT/ACT math and word problems.
Education & Certification
- Carleton College - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
- University at Buffalo - Master of Arts, General Literature
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- GED
- PSAT
- +102 subjects

Matthew: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
My mission is to inspire life long learning as well as to give you the tools to discover your capacity for academic success and happiness. ... To help a student get engaged again in a subject they're probably loathing, I would ask them questions about what they like. Life is vastly interconnected; therefore, I would draw the line between the student's personal interests and the material at hand. If they can be wowed about how the world works, then it inspires one to dive in head first to the content.
Education & Certification
- University at Buffalo - Current Undergrad, Anthropology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- GED
- SAT Subject Tests
- +70 subjects

Laura: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
...I am a huge science nerd, but in general a knowledge nerd. I have a formal education in Biology, with a Doctorate degree (DDS) in dental surgery. Through my training I mastered the subjects of biology, earth science, microbiology, anatomy, pharmacology, chemistry, etc. my college education was at a liberal arts school, Canisius College, where I graduated cum laude. In that coursework I pursued history, literature, philosophy, and world religions. I love teaching and am...
Education & Certification
- Canisius College - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
- SUNY College at Buffalo - Doctor of Dental Science, Predentistry
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- GED
- ACT
- PSAT
- +110 subjects

Rachael: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
...always enjoyed the power of education in life. I believe that curiosity can lead to so much joy. I enjoy learning as much as I do teaching. One thing I have learned is that every child learns differently. While there are larger techniques that can be used in larger settings, each child responds differently to what they're learning in their surroundings, and who they are learning with. Part of my love for teaching is figuring...
Education & Certification
- SUNY College at Buffalo - Bachelor of Education, Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- Science
- Test Prep
- +15 subjects

Naomi: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
Hi, my name is Naomi, and I am happy to tutor for Varsity Tutors. I study English literature and philosophy, so reading and writing are my strongest suits, but I am glad to help in any of my listed subjects. Please send me a message to let me know how I can be of assistance!... It depends on the subject, but I like to be creative and use all sorts of materials to draw/write/graph etc.... I try to always put the students first to make sure that they are benefiting.
Education & Certification
- Brandeis University - Bachelors, English, Philosophy
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ACT
- SAT
- HSPT
- +191 subjects

Nicolette: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
...deserve. I am at Buffalo State College for my Bachelors in Early Childhood and Childhood Education with a concentration in Liberal Arts. I have experience tutoring every grade in elementary school and 6th grade. I tutor in math, English, social studies, science and Spanish. My favorite subject to tutor is math because I used to struggle with math so when I see the aha moment in children when I teach them the math problem my...
Education & Certification
- SUNY College at Buffalo - Bachelor of Science, Early Childhood Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- +43 subjects

Brandy: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
Everyone can learn, if they have the desire. My goal is to empower my students while understanding their learning styles, gaining a better idea of their perspective of the world, and to thereby teach them through their perspective for maximum success. Education is my passion. If my students aren't successful, how can I be?
Education & Certification
- University of Phoenix-Online Campus - Associate in Arts, Accounting
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ASVAB
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- SAT Subject Tests
- +170 subjects
Education & Certification
- Le Moyne College - Bachelor in Arts, English
- University at Buffalo - Master of Arts Teaching, Language Arts Teacher Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- Florida EOC Assessment
- ACT
- GED
- +19 subjects

Megan: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
My goal is to help all students reach their academic goals by providing encouragement, assistance, and my professional experience in education. I believe all students should have the opportunity to perform academically to the best of their ability, given the proper tools and resources. I feel honored to guide students towards success!
Education & Certification
- Towson University - Bachelors, Elementary and Special Education
- University at Buffalo - Masters, Elementary Education with a focus on Literacy
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- ACT
- HSPT
- +51 subjects

Juan: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
I love learning and I truly believe that knowledge is power. I have been tutoring since I was in high school and I have 2 children who I work with nearly every day. Everybody is different and learns in different ways but that is what makes each one of us so special. As a tutor, I try to unlock which methods works for those I tutor and teach them how to build upon those strengths.
Education & Certification
- Miami Dade College - Associate in Science, Biomedical Sciences
- University of Arizona - Bachelor of Science, Prelaw Studies
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- UK Key Stage 1 SATs
- GED
- ASVAB
- +199 subjects

Katelyn: Buffalo SSAT test prep instructor
...received a minor in Sign Language. I continued my education at Niagara to achieve my Master's Degree in Special Education 7-12. I have been teaching in a classroom for 3 years but have been working in a classroom atmosphere since 2012. My favorite subject to tutor is math. I really enjoy Sign Language and continue to teach it to my current students. I believe that students should have a hands on learning experience and want...
Education & Certification
- Niagara University - Bachelor of Education, Mathematics Teacher Education
- Niagara University - Masters in Education, Education of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- REGENTS
- ACT
- TACHS
- +48 subjects