Varsity Tutors can help take the stress out of SSAT prep by helping you locate the right San Francisco-Bay Area SSAT preparation resource for your child. The San Francisco Bay area has many prestigious independent and private schools. Most of them require scores from the SSAT as part of their admissions process. The SSAT is highly regarded for its accuracy in identifying a students competency in grade level appropriate math, reading comprehension, and verbal skills.
Even if your student has been doing well thus far in their studies, giving them professional guidance as they review for the SSAT can help them work towards doing their best on this important test. Continue reading to learn more about the various levels of the SSAT and how Varsity Tutors can help you find the best San Francisco-Bay Area SSAT prep solutions for your student.
What can San Francisco-Bay Area SSAT prep cover?
Whether you have a child who needs to prepare for the Elementary Level SSAT or a student preparing for the Middle or Upper Level SSAT, San Francisco-Bay Area SSAT prep can help them review critical concepts included in their level of the exam.
Quantitative, Verbal, and Reading sections are included and scored in each level of the SSAT. Writing and Experimental sections are also included at all levels but are not scored. While the Writing Sample is not scored by testing officials, it is sent to all schools your student is applying to and will be reviewed by admissions officials. The Experimental section is only for test developers who use the data to refine the testing process.
Students taking the Upper and Middle Level SSAT will have almost three hours to complete 167 items. Children taking the Elementary Level of the SSAT will have nearly two hours to complete 89 questions. Each section has its own time limitations, which is essential for students to be aware of as they prepare. Proper time management is critical for these tests.
If your child is taking the Elementary Level SSAT, answering all of the questions in each section can help their score because there is no penalty for answering an item incorrectly. Upper and Middle Level SSAT testers have a half point penalty for each incorrect answer, but there is no penalty for items that are not answered.
Math subjects covered on the various levels of the SSAT include basic math, arithmetic, elementary algebra, algebra, and geometry. Depending on grade level, some of the specific topics include coordinate geometry, data analysis and probability, plane geometry, number operations, data analysis, numbers and operations, probability, number sense, spatial sense, and measurement.
English topics covered on the SSAT also vary by level but may include reading comprehension, word relationships, nuanced word meanings, general understanding of language, synonyms, analogies, and interpreting meaning from narrative or argumentative reading passages.
Professional SSAT prep resources can help your child prepare for their upcoming exam in a variety of different ways. They can receive a comprehensive overview with a prep class or individualized instruction targeting specific areas with private tutoring. Each option has its own benefits and can help your student in different ways.
How can a San Francisco-Bay Area SSAT prep class help my child prepare?
When you enroll your student in a prep class, they will have a familiar classroom environment and structured content delivery that can make it easier for them to engage with the preparation process fully.
Classes are held in a secure online classroom that provides modern convenience with conventional methodology. Teachers deliver instruction to the class as a whole. They may then facilitate group discussion or assignments to help students deepen their understanding of the content. If your student needs clarification around a topic, they can always request assistance from an instructor.
You can choose to have your child prepare over a period of two or four weeks. All classes are comprised of individual sections, and new sections begin weekly. This modular format makes it easy for your child to get started at any time.
Classes are great for students who need structure and routine to thrive academically. It is also ideal for students who are highly motivated by working with others in a group learning environment.
How is working with a San Francisco-Bay Area SSAT tutor different from taking a course?
Tutoring and courses are fundamentally different in the way they are designed. In a course, the goal is to provide comprehensive instruction to a group. In private sessions, the goal is to provide an individualized learning experience. With personalized instruction, the tutor has significantly more one-on-one time with each student. The instructor can take the time to get to know your student's personality, SSAT goals, academic needs, and learning style. This information can then be used to create lessons designed to address your student's needs.
Another difference between taking a course and working with a tutor is in how they are scheduled. When you enroll your child in a course, they will need to attend at regularly scheduled times. These times are determined in advance and are not based on student preferences. This ensures a teacher is reliably available to help many students work on making progress in their preparation efforts. Private sessions provide more scheduling freedom. You can choose when your child meets with a tutor based on what works best for your family's schedule. Sessions can be held throughout the week and on weekends during business hours and in the evening.
Private tutoring is ideal for students who thrive with one-on-one instruction or who have busy schedules that make prescheduled classes untenable.
How can I get my student started with the right San Francisco-Bay Area SSAT prep solution?
Whether you want your student to take advantage of an expertly designed San Francisco-Bay Area SSAT prep course or you want help connecting with a skilled private tutor who can work with them individually, Varsity Tutors can help. If you're ready to give your student the support they need to work towards their SSAT scoring goal, contact Varsity Tutors today to get started quickly.
Jennifer: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...examples. Really, math is like a language; you need to know the basics before you get speaking fluently. Math can be difficult, but it can be even more fun once you get it. To me, chemistry is the perfect blend of science and math, which is great since I enjoy both! You can learn from the most basic atoms (don't trust them, they make up everything!) to the most complex proteins to applications in the...
Education & Certification
- University of California-Riverside - Bachelor of Science, Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ACT
- CLEP
- SAT
- +107 subjects
Talia: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...received my California Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential. I have been working in classrooms, providing academic support, since 2004. I have extensive experience working with individuals with special needs, from moderate to severe, and the gifted population. I am highly adept in tailoring education to fit each learner's needs, while maximizing output, motivation, and self-confidence. I sincerely enjoy working with children, listening to their stories, and sharing a laugh as I impart knowledge in a structured...
Education & Certification
- Williams Collegee - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology & Sociology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- STAAR
- HSPT
- +43 subjects
Helene: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...is the least mentioned part of the equation, but for me it is the most important, because that is how I get my kids to become autonomous and self-motivated learners. I've always seen it as a challenging job, but also as enriching, enlightening, and awesome (and I mean awesome in the strongest sense of the word)! I am so happy to be able to continue that work with Varsity. In terms of the subjects I...
Education & Certification
- Mills College - Bachelor in Arts, Sociology/Anthropology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +57 subjects
Cody: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...with students ranging in ages from 7th grade through adult learners, college-level review courses, and even teaching SAT prep courses. My students find me very relatable, and I've heard from several students that having someone close to their own age work with them has been really beneficial to their learning. I look forward to working with you in the future! Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have!... I like to find out what my students' interests are outside of their academics, and then find clever ways to introduce those topics into our lessons.
Education & Certification
- Massachusettes Institute of Technology - Bachelor of Science, Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ACT
- Advanced Placement
- GED
- +127 subjects
Peter: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...Separately, I'm also qualified in French at the high-school level, and I especially enjoy helping intermediate students solidify their fundamentals and level up into more advanced study. Finally, as a heritage native speaker of Polish, serdecznie zapraszam ucznikw jzyka polskiego na korepetycje! Being able to help students gain new understanding and skills isn't just a job for me, it's genuinely a good time. My tutoring practice is about creating a two-way conversation, and gaining a...
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Bachelor of Science, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ACT
- SHSAT
- HSPT
- +44 subjects
Samuel: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...spent time working in a charter school, as a private English tutor in Madrid, and with both private and non-profit academic support and enrichment programs. Over the years I've taught just about every subject. I love helping students develop a positive, can-do attitude in relation to subjects that used to make them feel anxious and confused. (In my experience this is often math or standardized tests, but I also love to tutor writing and general...
Education & Certification
- University of California-Los Angeles - Bachelor in Arts, Sociology
- Lesley University - Masters in Education, Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- TOEFL
- SAT Subject Tests
- +64 subjects
Amanda: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...a decade of experience teaching children. I work with students to break down information into easy to manage pieces and make sure they are understanding each step as they go along. If students still seem to be struggling, I return to more basic concepts and help them build upon what they already know. I use a variety of methods in my tutoring including visual aids, hands-on materials, books, and online sources to ensure that all...
Education & Certification
- SFSU - Bachelors, Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- Writing
- High School English
- +10 subjects
Michael: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...improve with practice and guidance. There are usually several ways to teach the same material, and I have a knack for finding the one that works. I enjoy using examples and analogies that help the student "get" and remember complicated concepts. Preparing for standardized tests such as the SAT and GRE is much easier with a tutor to help you prioritize, strategize, and structure your time wisely. I took the GRE in 2013 and earned...
Education & Certification
- The College of William & Mary - Bachelor in Arts, Political Economy, History
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- PSAT
- ASPIRE
- +46 subjects
Izabel: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...them with you. Most importantly, I believe that everyone has a unique learning style and that I, as a tutor, need to adapt to be able to help the students I work with get the most out of tutoring. During my free time I enjoy baking, spending time with friends at a park, and going to music festivals. I also love exploring the city of New Orleans when I???m at school, and I even still...
Education & Certification
- Tulane University of Louisiana - Bachelor of Science, Economics, International Relations
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- PSAT
- SAT
- Arithmetic
- +15 subjects
Caitlin: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...from UC Davis with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. I have been tutoring for 3 years including reading comprehension, writing, essay structure, grammar, algebra, geometry, statistics, study skills and testing strategies. Aim to tailor my tutoring methods to the needs of each student. Most importantly, I try to create a supportive learning environment where students focus how their efforts led to success and encourage students to address their missteps without judgment.
Education & Certification
- University of California-Davis - Bachelor of Science, Psychology
- San Francisco State University - Master of Arts, Developmental Psychology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ACT
- SAT
- Middle School Reading Comprehension
- +43 subjects
Sara: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...where they come from, and what they need to move forward. I also have a background in counseling, and I am currently enrolled in a psychology program in Irvine, where I now live, that supports my drive to learn more about the human mind and condition. I bring the principles of counseling into every student interaction: non-judgment, respect, thinking with rather than for, and empathy shape my work with students and clients of all ages....
Education & Certification
- Scripps College - Bachelor in Arts, General Literature
- University of California-Irvine - Certificate, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- TOEFL
- ACT
- SAT
- +38 subjects
Kaley: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...in these roles I look for ways to make learning fun and rewarding. I especially love teaching reading and writing and I have taught or tutored these subjects to students ranging from kindergarten through adults. I also have experience tutoring test prep subjects and focus both on the content material and test taking skills. My passion is psychology and I have been able to use my graduate training in human development to tailor my instruction...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Bachelors, Education and Public Policy
- Harvard Graduate School of Education - Masters, Human Development and Psychology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- PSAT
- ACT
- +35 subjects
Matt: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...to complete a Masters program at Georgetown University in human physiology. Given the amount of schooling I have gone through myself, I have taken a wide range of subjects and more standardized tests than I would like to admit. I have taught students of almost every age in various fields such as elementary science, Hebrew, chemistry, MCAT prep, and many more.. My ultimate plan is to go to medical school, but in the meantime I...
Education & Certification
- Johns Hopkins University - Bachelors, Public Health concentration in Immunology and Infectious Disease
- Georgetown University - Masters, Biophysics and Human Physiology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- Advanced Placement
- +85 subjects
Connor: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...strong interpersonal communication skills. With proper guidance, every student possesses the ability to grasp even the most complex of topics, and I have built my tutoring career on this premise. As an experienced tutor, I have continually enjoyed seeing my students achieve lofty goals under my instruction. I specialize in tutoring biology, chemistry, physics, and economics for high school students. In addition to this, I also tutor students in college level general chemistry, general biology,...
Education & Certification
- Saint Louis University-Main Campus - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- STAAR
- ISEE
- HSPT
- +43 subjects
Rebecca: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...pursuing a masters degree in social work at the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration. I am passionate about tutoring because I want everyone to be able to perform academically at their highest possible level. I also think it is important that learning is not just for one assignment or one test, but rather that it sticks with you to build a solid foundation of knowledge and confidence that you can carry forward....
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelors, Psychology
- University of Chicago SSA - Masters, Social Work
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- ACT
- PSAT
- +53 subjects
Molly: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...homework. My approach to aiding them is three-fold. I will work to: 1. Review and reteach material from her school that has proven difficult. 2. Diagnostically assess for instructional gaps and then fill in gaps to bolster a strong subject area foundation. 3. Impart test-taking skills and strategies necessary for school success. I teach with the tenets of the Common Core State Standards in mind. As such, I do not aim to teach "tricks" for...
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Bachelor in Arts, History
- Northwestern University - Masters, Elementary Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ACT
- ISAT
- TOEFL
- +111 subjects
Cynthia: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...pursuing my PhD in Neuroscience in the fall at Johns Hopkins. I have been tutoring high school students outside of class in college and involved in STEM academics and research mentorship as well as a translation program from and to English outside of class. I speak Japanese and French, and I have taken the PSATs, SATs, 10 APs, and the GREs successfully. I would be willing to help with any of these subjects, with math,...
Education & Certification
- Princeton University - Bachelors, Neuroscience
- Johns Hopkins University - PHD, Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- PSAT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +72 subjects
Jaimie: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...working in the lab of Professor Robert Langer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology working on novel drug delivery systems for the gastrointestinal tract. I am hoping to attend medical school in pursuit of becoming a physician. I am currently interested in pediatrics and psychiatry but I am looking forward to exploring a range of available disciplines. I enjoy tutoring because I find it to be an engaging and dynamic process--I love working with students...
Education & Certification
- Northeastern University - Bachelors, Chemical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- PSAT
- TOEFL
- SAT
- +93 subjects
Naftali: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...Writing with an emphasis on Screenwriting and a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Studies. I have tutored and taught for Kaplan Test Prep in the past. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about English and Writing. In my experience, there is no best approach for how to tutor students. Every student is different and should be taught in a way that helps them better understand both the subject...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Current Undergrad, Dramatic Writing
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SHSAT
- HSPT
- ISEE
- +54 subjects
Amanda: San Francisco SSAT test prep instructor
...for over a year and a half. I worked with all ages, but particularly high school students studying for college admissions tests. I taught group classes and tutored individuals for the ACT, PSAT, SAT, and GRE. My primary focus was on the ACT - I taught every section of the test, and by the time I left ScorePlus I knew the ACT backward and forward. I enjoyed helping students grasp the content, but the most...
Education & Certification
- Union University - Bachelor in Arts, English
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- ACT
- SAT
- +50 subjects