Varsity Tutors can assist students preparing to apply to secondary school by linking them with consistent Seattle SSAT prep help. The SSAT stands for Secondary School Admissions Test, and it's an exam that's used by numerous private educational institutions. This test is administered to students who are seeking entrance into an elite private elementary, middle, or high school. The SSAT is designed for students in grades 3-11. Scoring well on this exam is important because admission committees will compare the student's score to those within his or her academic group. The final score can determine whether a student is granted admission into the school.
The SSAT is a standardized assessment that aims to measure the student's academic ability. The exam assesses their basic math, verbal, and reading skills. How well the student performs on the SSAT can predict whether they are able to handle the coursework in a private school. Since the SSAT is geared towards students of various grade levels, there are three main test levels available for students in elementary, middle school and high school.
What Does A Seattle SSAT Prep Class Cover?
The SSAT is made up of three sections; Verbal, Quantitative, and Reading Comprehension. Test takers will take the exam based on their current grade. There's also a Writing section that isn't scored, but it's sent to the schools that the student is applying too. For instance, if a fourth-grade student is taking the standardized test, they will have to take the elementary level of the SSAT. Although there are slight differences in the varying levels of the SSAT, they all share the same purpose. Check out this overview of the format of the SSAT so that you can know what to expect on exam day.
Elementary Level
The elementary level is for 3rd-grade students applying to an independent school for the 4th grade. Here is a breakdown of this level of the assessment:
Verbal - This section has 30 questions that will test the student's understanding of word relationships, different types of analogies and vocabulary from various areas of study.
Reading Comprehension - There are a total of 28 questions in this portion of the exam all based around 7 reading passages. Your child will have to determine the main idea of different written passages, use context clues to figure out the meaning of words, and identify important information.
Quantitative - The Quantitative portion consists of basic math questions that cover areas such as; multiplication, addition, and division. Students are prohibited from using a calculator in this section.
Writing Sample - The student will be asked to write a simple short story that includes a beginning, middle, and end on this final section of the assessment.
Middle School and Upper Level
The middle school and upper levels of the SSAT are considered to be much more challenging. Here is a breakdown of the Upper and Middle levels of the Secondary School Admissions Test:
Verbal - In the Verbal section, middle school students are required to answer 60 questions. Thirty of these questions are based around synonyms and the other 30 are centered on analogies. This portion tests the student's understanding of vocabulary, the relationship between words, and ideas. The Upper Level portion, which is taken by students in the 8th-11 grade, also consists of 60 questions that are also analogy and synonym based.
Quantitative - For the Middle Level SSAT, the Quantitative section contains questions that cover mathematical topics like data analysis, probability, and algebra. Students should have an understanding of geometric concepts and be able to solve general algebra problems. Upper Level students are administered 50 questions with two 30 minute sections. Some concepts this level of the Quantitative section of the test covers are linear equations, word problems, and fractions. Calculators aren't allowed during testing.
Reading Comprehension - There are 40 passages based questions on the Reading section of the Middle Level SSAT. Students have to interpret the meaning of the persuasive and narrative text. The Upper Level also administers 40 questions that require students to closely analyze the narrative and argumentative passages.
Writing - In the Writing section, students in both sublevels are given the opportunity either write a creative or traditional essay based on the presented prompts. The Writing section won't be scored, but the sample is sent to the schools the candidate is applying too.
What Are The Different Types of Seattle SSAT Prep?
There are two main Seattle SSAT preparation options. Varsity Tutors can help students enroll in a Seattle SSAT prep class or connect them with a private tutor. New classes start every week, and parents have the option of enrolling their child in a two week or four-week class. Both options offer unique benefits and can be effective at thoroughly preparing the student for the exam.
A Seattle SSAT prep course takes place in an online interactive learning environment similar to a regular classroom, with an expert instructor leading a group of students. Learning in such a collaborative environment can prove to be effective because students can help each other retain important concepts through group activities and discussions. Also, every student has the opportunity to interact with the instructor individually for additional help.
Some students might benefit more from a Seattle SSAT tutor. No doubt, a private tutor allows for learning on a personalized level. After all, a private instructor is solely focused on one student, which means they'll be able to quickly identify their weaknesses and strengths. A tutor can help students improve in concepts that they find difficult and teach them test-taking strategies that they can implement on the day of the exam. Tutoring takes place on the Live Learning Platform, which means that the session can take place anywhere.
How Can I Find Seattle SSAT Prep Help?
Finding a good Seattle SSAT prep class or a private tutor can be a challenge. Varsity Tutors is here to connect students will regular tutoring sessions and prep courses that best fit the student's schedule. Obtaining help in preparing for this standardized exam is essential because it's a crucial part of getting into a specific school. To learn more information about the SSAT prep help we can provide, you can contact one of our educational consultants today.
Rachel: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...tutor for my schools Biological Sciences Honor Society and as a mentor for graduating high school students through the Dream Project. As a tutor, my main duty is to work with a student as an individual and to adjust my own tutoring to fit the way they learn best. I believe that all students have what it takes to succeed in school, its just a matter of finding the style of learning that is most...
Education & Certification
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Bachelors, General Biology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ISEE
- GED
- +89 subjects
Amanda: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...excited to be back in my hometown of Bellevue, WA. I graduated cum laude from the College of Arts and Sciences with high distinction in English and minors in Psychology and Communication Design, and hope to apply my analytical and communication skills to a career in law or public policy. While attending university, I spent my free time finding ways to positively impact and further educate my community through my involvement as a campus tour...
Education & Certification
- Washington University in St Louis - Bachelors, English
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- HSPT
- SAT
- +37 subjects
Bejoy: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...something you get right away. I believe with practice and skill one can be better able to understand it. I know this because I also grew up not liking Math but ironically ended up teaching it. I believe you need to be patient and understand the student's strengths and weakness in order to effectively teach Math to students. Relating Math to real life examples can make it more interesting and fun for students. I believe...
Education & Certification
- Fordham University - Bachelor in Arts, Biology, General
- Iona College - Master of Science, Adolescent Math Teaching
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- REGENTS
- ACT
- PSAT
- +38 subjects
Suzanne: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...fostered. There is a great big world out that that needs to be explored. Always be seeking, improving, and wondering. I have taught middle school for 17 years and try to pass on my love of learning to each and everyone of my students. I believe all students can be successful learners, although they may learn best in a wide variety of ways. When a student gets it, I get excited. I always do everything...
Education & Certification
- Brigham Young University-Provo - Bachelors, Pre-Physical Therapy
- Georgian Court University - Masters, Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- GED
- CogAT
- CLEP
- +48 subjects
Katherine: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...many hours with my younger siblings, working through languages, math, sciences, history, and English. I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, majoring in Spanish and International Studies and minoring in Political Science. During those three years, I spent time abroad in both Japan and Spain, teaching English to children ages 10-18 while immersing myself in the target cultures. After graduation, I worked for three years at a Fortune 500 company,...
Education & Certification
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls - Bachelors, Spanish; International Studies
- Middlebury College - Current Grad Student, Spanish
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- AP Spanish Literature and Culture
- Spanish 2
- English Grammar and Syntax
- +16 subjects
Claire: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...different outdoor schools allowing me the opportunity to develop my skills as a teacher. There, I taught classes that ranged from science-heavy forest and aquatic ecology to those that emphasized interpersonal growth like high ropes and cooperation, developing my own lesson plans and adapting them to different states' curricula and to students' ages and personalities. My classes focused on allowing students to explore the world around them, and to ask their own questions, creating an...
Education & Certification
- Whitman College - Bachelors, Geology-Environmental Studies
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- College English
- Latin 2
- +35 subjects
Clare: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...which gave me the fabulous opportunity to study a broad range of sciences in detail. I completed my teaching degree at Oxford University (UK) a couple of years later. Having completed my teaching qualifications, I had a number of very rewarding years teaching Biology and Chemistry to high school students before moving to Seattle for my husband's job in 2008. In addition to my teaching experience, I have tutored a number of students in the...
Education & Certification
- University of Cambridge - Master of Arts, Zoology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- Physiology
- Physical Chemistry
- +17 subjects
Dominic: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...to a variety of age-groups, from high school to older college adults, and a variety of academic achievement levels, from the highly motivated student to those with learning disabilities. I enjoy tutoring Calculus the most because of how useful it is for such a large number of careers and disciplines, but I'm very comfortable tutoring any high school or lower-division college math course (e.g. Pre-Calculus, Trigonometry, Algebra II, Geometry, Algebra, Probability, Statistics, SAT Prep, and...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelor in Arts, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- SAT
- HSPT
- +28 subjects
Maureen: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...high school students specializing in all areas of Language Arts: narrative, expository, creative, and analytical writing, including grammar. I also tutor high school seniors with college applications and essays. I have a broad base of knowledge in American Literature and the Arts, I am a published writer and watercolor artist, and I have travelled extensively at home and abroad. My students have said of me, " She's tough, but in a good way" "She's the...
Education & Certification
- New Paltz State Teachers College - Bachelors, Sciences
- Psychiatric Institute of New York - Current Grad Student, Registered Professional Nurse
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- ACT
- ISEE
- +46 subjects
Andrea: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...into the world of German my freshman year of high school in Meridian Idaho. Through that program, I was able to go to Germany for 3 weeks through GAPP (German American Partnership Program). There I was matched with a student my age and stayed with her family. A few months later, she came and stayed at my house. We exchanged culture and truly became sisters. She and her parents were even able to travel to...
Education & Certification
- Boise State University - Bachelor in Arts, German Studies
- University of Massachusetts Amherst - Master of Arts, German Studies
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ACCUPLACER
- ISEE
- PARCC
- +26 subjects
Education & Certification
- Providence College - Bachelor in Arts, Developmental Psychology
- Western Washington University - Master of Science, Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- Middle School Math
- Elementary School Science
- +26 subjects
Kylie : Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...Multiage classroom in Heidelberg, Germany and am currently working at Tukwila Elementary School as an ELL paraeducator. At Tukwila Elementary I work with students grades kindergarten to 5th grade who have a native language other than English. Through these experiences I have gathered many valuable skills for helping students to better understand content in order to achieve greater success in the classroom. Working in a school setting has better prepared me to tutor students because...
Education & Certification
- Northern Arizona University - Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- Languages
- Math
- +15 subjects
Elsie: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...me for a successful undergraduate experience at Tufts University and my masters at Cornell University. I double majored in International Relations and Spanish at Tufts University for my B.A., and after three years in the Peace Corps I went on to receive my master's degree from Cornell University in International Agriculture and Rural Development. Since I first took the SSAT as an 8th grader I have always enjoyed standardized testing, something that set me apart...
Education & Certification
- Tufts University - Bachelors, Spanish; International Relations
- Cornell University - Masters, International Agriculture and Rural Development
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- GED
- ACT
- PSAT
- +51 subjects
Akarsha: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...and middle school students throughout high school. I also taught piano and worked as a counselor at a summer camp for elementary aged students so I'd like to say I understand and get along pretty well with them! As for my tutoring style, it varies from student to student. I gauge what works and does not work when it comes to teaching techniques and tailor my approach to best help my student learn. Additionally, I've...
Education & Certification
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Neurobiology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- HSPT
- ACT
- ISEE
- +26 subjects
Nikki: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...a kid and watched The Magic School Bus and the Bill Nye show. I majored in Neuroscience and Behavior in college, so I learned a lot about Biology and Psychology, and I plan on getting a Master's in Bioengineering. I spent two years serving with the Peace Corps in Peru, where I learned to speak Spanish, build stoves out of adobe, and a lot about life in rural communities. In my spare time I enjoy...
Education & Certification
- Vassar College - Bachelor in Arts, Neuroscience and Behavior
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- PSAT
- HSPT
- SAT
- +46 subjects
Jingyi : Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
Jingyi has over five years of experience in tutoring and college admissions counseling, and has helped over 200 students achieve the improvement they desire. She studied mathematics and computer science at the University of Pennsylvania, and has significant experience in creative writing, standardized testing, subject knowledge, and public speaking.
Education & Certification
- University of Pennsylvania - Engineering, Engineering, General
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- ACT
- Technology and Coding
- +34 subjects
Anastasia: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...recently moved to Seattle from the East Coast, and I am enjoying getting to know the ins and outs of the city and the different culture Seattle has to offer. I am a person that genuinely enjoys teaching and what I do. I especially enjoy one-on-one sessions to really figure out how different people learn different subjects. Once I get to know a bit about the student I focus my tutoring based off what works...
Education & Certification
- Kennesaw State University - Bachelors, Early Childhood Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- Math
- Elementary School Math
- +28 subjects
Theresa: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
I love the look a child gets in their eyes when they begin to understand a concept that has alluded them in the past. Whether teaching my class or working one on one with a student, seeing that success is what I strive for.... All students are capable of being successful. As a teacher, it's my job to identify the strategies and resources that will put each student I work with on the path to success.
Education & Certification
- Lycoming College - Bachelor in Arts, Music
- Johns Hopkins University - Master of Arts Teaching, Elementary Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- STAAR
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- AIMS
- +91 subjects
Sejal: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...Science & Policy to get the most out of my time in graduate school and immerse myself in my classes, the university, and the city. Previously, I graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Science in both Environmental Studies and Geology. I am a PADI certified Divemaster and I’ve been scuba diving all over the world. I have spent time working with special needs children and doing scientific research in labs and in the...
Education & Certification
- Tufts University - Bachelor of Science, Environmental Studies and Geology
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Masters, Public Administration
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- SAT
- +63 subjects
Anna: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...reading tutor when I was still in high school and, ever since then, have gained a wealth of teaching experience with students of diverse backgrounds. I have worked with students as young as third grade up to learners that already have college degrees. My background as a 9th grade English teacher has given me the opportunity to work with students from low-income backgrounds, students with learning disabilities, English Language Learners as well as students from...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelors, Politics
- Johns Hopkins University - Masters, Education Studies
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- CLEP
- TOEFL
- +99 subjects