If you’re applying for an independent school, you’ll likely have to take the Secondary School Admissions Test (also known as the SSAT). There are three levels to this test, for students of different age groups. The SSAT Upper Level test is given to students in junior high and high school (grades 8-11); the test is a multiple-choice test with a section on reading comprehension.
As you study and prepare, you’ll likely want to find a SSAT Upper Level Reading study guide to reassure yourself that you understand the topic and are prepared for the test. Varsity Tutors’ Learning Tools include several different options, including an interactive syllabus called Learn by Concept.
The SSAT Upper Level Reading syllabus includes categories in humanities, literary fiction, poetry, science, and social science. This study aid helps you to understand the differences between the types of writing. Within each category, you’ll find sections on authorial attitude, purpose and tone in argumentative and literary passages; inferences and predictions in various types of passages; and meanings determined by context, also in different types of writings.
When it comes to poetry, this SSAT Upper Level study guide provides explanations regarding finding details in poetry passages, finding context dependent meanings of both phrases and words, and the purpose and tone of the poet. An example question in the subsection on making inferences in poetry includes several stanzas of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s “Faust,” and asks you to determine which of five characteristics best describes nature, in the passage above.
Throughout this study guide, you’ll find passages to read and a question to answer. Each sample question has five possible answers. After you’ve considered the passage and found your answer, you can scroll to find out what the correct answer is. You’ll also get an explanation of the correct answer, so that you’ll understand how to go about determining the appropriate answer.
The social science section of the syllabus includes passages from well-known speeches, from historical reference materials.
This Learning Tool is designed to offer questions similar to what you might find in the Upper Level Reading portion of the SSAT exam; you won’t find these specific questions, but the questions in this interactive syllabus are meant to show you what to expect. This interactive syllabus is a tool that allows you flexibility as well. Whether you have hours to study or just a few minutes for an SSAT Upper Level Reading section review session, you can connect and look up a topic or two. You don’t have to complete all of the questions in a single session, but can return to the interactive syllabus at a later time if you choose.
In addition to the SSAT Upper Level Reading syllabus, Varsity Tutors’ Learning Tools include other study aids, including Flashcards, Practice Tests, and a Question of the Day series that presents you a random question related to reading comprehension, in this case, to solve, to help you determine how ready you are for the SSAT Upper Level Reading test.
If you need help studying for the Reading section of the Upper Level SSAT, check out the free resources provided by Varsity Tutors in order to get a good sense of the numerous ways in which you can study. You can start by taking a free SSAT Upper Level Reading Diagnostic Test to get a sense of which concepts you know well and which you still need to learn. After that, you can take free SSAT Upper Level Reading Practice Tests to focus on learning the topics that you understand least well. If you don't have time to take an entire SSAT Upper Level Reading Practice Test, you can use Varsity Tutors' free SSAT Upper Level Reading Flashcards to study for shorter periods of time. Also, be sure to check out the SSAT Upper Level Reading Question of the Day for daily practice.
All SSAT Upper Level Reading Resources
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