Award-Winning SSAT Courses & Classes in Salt Lake City, UT

If you're interested in taking the most convenient Salt Lake City SSAT prep course available, Varsity Tutors has an option worthy of your immediate consideration. The SSAT is a high-stakes test that private and independent schools use as an objective data point when comparing applicants from a range of backgrounds. It's taken by students in grades 3-11 in preparation for entering a new school for the next school year. For example, a ninth-grader who takes the test will be planning to enroll in a new high school for their sophomore year.

It wouldn't make any sense to give students in grade 3 and grade 11 the same exam, so the SSAT is split into three different "Levels": Elementary (grades 3 and 4), Middle (grades 5-7), and Upper (grades 8-11). No matter which of these you or your student is preparing for, Varsity Tutors can provide a connection to a Salt Lake City SSAT class that covers all of the academic content and test-taking tips you'll need to pursue your full academic potential. Reach out today for more information on how we might be able to help you.

What academic content areas are covered in a Salt Lake City SSAT course?

The SSAT measures a student's Quantitative, Reading, Verbal, and Writing skills in order to determine whether they are ready to take on a rigorous private school curriculum. Each of those content areas is a section on the exam, though the Writing section is unscored. It is still used as a student's writing sample on their application, so all students are encouraged to put their best effort into their writing. There is also an unscored Experimental section placed at the conclusion of the test, though it isn't important to study for.

Here is a closer look at the content and formatting of each section of the SSAT.

Quantitative (or Math at the Elementary Level)

This section covers grade-appropriate mathematical concepts. Elementary school students answer questions regarding addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, shapes, and fractions, while older students contend with more advanced concepts such as probability, data analysis, geometry, and algebra. Calculators are not allowed on any level of the SSAT. The Elementary Level SSAT Math section is comprised of 30 multiple-choice questions over half an hour. The Quantitative section on the Middle and Upper Level exams is divided into two 30-minute sections for a total of 50 questions in one hour.

Reading

This section measures a test-taker's reading comprehension abilities, including the ability to identify the main idea of a passage and use context to define any unfamiliar terminology. Some items also ask students to identify whether a phrase is used literally or figuratively. Older students are also asked to analyze arguments and draw inferences based on what they've read, in addition to working with more difficult passages. Children at the Elementary Level have 30 minutes to respond to 28 multiple-choice items, while students taking the Middle and Upper Level tests have 40 multiple-choice questions to answer in 40 minutes.

Verbal

This section assesses a student's grade-appropriate vocabulary skills through a series of multiple-choice questions regarding analogies and synonyms. It's virtually impossible to memorize every word that might appear on the test, so students may want to look into prefixes, suffixes, and word roots to make it easier to piece together an unfamiliar term's definition. The Elementary Level SSAT Verbal section contains 30 questions over a 20-minute testing session, while the other two exams allow half an hour for 60 items.

Writing

The SSAT Writing portion assesses a student's written communication skills, including clarity of expression, command of English language mechanics, organization, and syntactic diversity. The Elementary Level SSAT provides students with a picture prompt and 15 minutes to compose an original story featuring a beginning, middle, and end. The Middle Level SSAT gives test-takers a choice of two creative writing prompts and 25 minutes. Finally, the Upper Level SSAT allows students to choose from traditional essay and creative writing prompts over 25 minutes.

Why should I enroll my student in a Salt Lake City SSAT course?

Every Salt Lake City SSAT class is taught by a knowledgeable teacher who understands how to share information with students. Your student's instructor may use visual aids to make Quantitative concepts easier to follow or administer practice tests to give students the self-confidence that comes from knowing what to expect on the exam. They can also share tips specific to the level of the SSAT a student is preparing for. For instance, there is no penalty for guessing on the Elementary Level exam, but there is on the Middle and Upper Level SSAT. A student's test-taking strategy must be adjusted accordingly.

Each Salt Lake City SSAT class also takes place online. That's right: you don't need to worry about driving your student anywhere. Better yet, the platform allows students to interact with both their instructor and their peers in real time to enhance the study experience. You might be leery of allowing other students into your student's study sessions, but it can actually help to create a more productive learning environment. For instance, reviewing how other students might approach a Writing topic can generate great ideas that no individual could have thought of on their own.

Sharing a virtual classroom also allows students to share the cost of instruction, making it more affordable than you might expect. If you feel as though your student could use individualized instruction on a given topic, every class teacher is also available for extra time outside of normal class hours.

We also try to make every class as accessible as possible. For instance, there are both two-week and four-week options to make it easier to find a fit for nearly any schedule. Similarly, we start new classes every week so that it's always a great time for a student to start working toward their academic goals.

Can I sign up for a Salt Lake City SSAT course today?

Contact Varsity Tutors today to enroll in a Salt Lake City SSAT course that suits your needs. You'll be glad you did!