What is the SSAT?

The SSAT, or Secondary School Admissions Test, is a multiple-choice, standardized test used by many independent schools as part of their admissions process. The SSAT is administered to students in grades 3 through 11, and is designed to measure a student's quantitative, verbal, and reading skills. There are three levels of the SSAT: Elementary (for students in grades 3 and 4), Middle (for students in grades 5 through 7), and Upper (for students in grades 8 through 11). All levels of the SSAT are skills-based tests, as opposed to achievement or knowledge-based tests, and are used as guides by admissions professionals to assess the potential academic success of prospective students. Whether you need top SUBJECT tutors in EASTERN CITY, SUBJECT tutors in MIDWESTERN CITY, or top SUBJECT tutors in WESTERN CITY, working with a pro may take your studies to the next level. Whether you need top SSAT tutors in Boston, SSAT tutors in Detroit, or top SSAT tutors in Dallas Fort Worth, working with a pro may take your studies to the next level.

What are the different sections of the SSAT?

All levels of the SSAT contain one quantitative section, one verbal section, one reading comprehension section, and one unscored writing sample. The Middle and Upper Level tests include an additional, second quantitative section, as well as an unscored experimental questions section, which aids test makers in developing future tests. Varsity Tutors offers resources like a free SSAT diagnostic tests to help with your self-paced study, or you may want to consider an SSAT tutor.

What are the differences between the three SSAT test levels?

The Elementary Level SSAT is administered to students in grades 3 and 4, applying for admission to grades 4 and 5. It is the shortest of the three levels of SSAT and consists of three tests sections, followed by one unscored writing sample. The Middle Level SSAT is administered to students in grades 5 through 7, applying for admission to grades 6 through 8. The Upper Level SSAT is administered to students in grades 8 through 11, applying for admission to grades 9 through 12. Both the Middle and Upper Level SSAT consist of an unscored writing sample, followed by four scored test sections and an unscored experimental question section.

How long is the SSAT?

The Elementary Level test takes 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete, which includes one 15 minute break between sections. The Middle and Upper Level tests take 3 hours and 5 minutes to complete, and includes one 5 minute break and one 10 minute break.

When and where can I take the SSAT?

The SSAT Standard test is administered eight Saturdays a year at various test centers worldwide. Sunday testing is available on a limited basis for students who cannot attend Saturday sessions due to religious observances. Requests for Sunday testing must be made at least three days prior to the test date. Requests for other special accommodations must be made at least two weeks prior to the test date. For a list of Standard test dates and test centers, visit the official SSAT website at http://www.ssat.org. Students can take Standard tests as many times as desired.

Some educational consultants or member schools may host Flex tests on dates other than the Standard test dates. A list of educational consultants and member schools can also be found on the SSAT website. Students may only take one Flex test per testing year (August 1 – July 31).

How much does it cost to take the SSAT?

The registration fee for the Elementary Level SSAT is $80. Registration for the Middle or Upper Level SSAT is $120. Registration for a test closes three weeks before the test date. Late registration is available for an additional fee. Refunds are not given if a student cannot test on his or her registered date, though he or she may reschedule to a later date for a $35 change fee. A student may be eligible for a test fee waiver if he/she cannot pay the test fee due to financial hardship. Fee waivers must be attained directly from the admissions office of the school to which the student is applying.

What is the scoring scale for the SSAT?

Test takers will receive an individual score for each area of the SSAT (referred to as Verbal, Math, and Reading on the score report), as well as a total score, which is the sum of the three individual scores. The area scores for each level of the SSAT vary, with Elementary Level using a 300 to 600 scale, Middle Level using a 440 to 710 scale, and Upper Level using a 500 to 800 scale. From the scaled score, a percentile score is calculated, which gives a student's score as a percentage above others who took the same test. A detailed breakdown of a student's performance is also given, showing the number of right, wrong, and omitted answers in each area.

Are the writing sample and experimental section of the SSAT scored?

The writing sample of the SSAT is not scored, though a copy of it is sent on to schools. The experimental section contains a mixture of quantitative, verbal, and reading comprehension questions and is not scored. Student responses to these questions help test makers determine whether potential questions are suitable for future SSAT sections.

Can I use a calculator for the SSAT Quantitative section?

The use of a calculator or other electronic devices (including cell phones) is not allowed during the SSAT. Test takers are only asked to perform basic calculations, as the test is designed to test skills, not proficiency.

Should I guess on the SSAT if I don't know an answer?

Answering correctly on the Middle and Upper Level SSAT gives a student 1 raw point, while answering incorrectly deducts ¼ raw point as a penalty. There is no penalty for not answering a question; therefore, it is generally advisable to guess only if the student can eliminate one or more of the incorrect answer choices before guessing. There is no incorrect answer penalty on the Elementary Level SSAT, so Elementary Level test takers are encouraged to answer every question.

How can I prepare for the SSAT?

As with all standardized tests, familiarity with the test format and question types tends to help test takers improve their scores. As with all standardized tests, familiarity with the test format and question types tends to help test takers improve their scores. To help you study and practice each type of question found on the SSAT, Varsity Tutors offers free SSAT Practice Tests. Our free SSAT Practice Tests are written by teachers, professors, content specialists, and tutors. Explanations are given for each question, so if you miss a question, you can find out where you went wrong. In addition to the SSAT practice tests and SSAT tutoring, you may also want to consider taking some of our SSAT flashcards.

The resources available from Varsity Tutors’ Learning Tools also include free Full-Length SSAT Practice Tests for each section. The tests make it simple for you to determine where you should focus your review, as the results can aid you in creating an individualized study plan. Each of the results pages for the complete tests include thorough explanations of the correct answers and important information on critical concepts. The full-length Practice Tests provide bonus help by guiding you as you customize your SSAT study plan, as they show you which concepts you have already mastered, and which concepts you’ll want to continue reviewing. After you’ve spent adequate time going over the concepts using the other free Learning Tools, you can evaluate your efforts by taking another of the Full-Length SSAT Practice Tests. Additionally, you can utilize these tests to work on your timing, and get some valuable insight into what the actual exam is like.