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The Daily Insight

What is SSAT prep

Author

William Taylor

Published Mar 09, 2026

Practice, practice, practice – early! … Read – a lot! … If you know you are weak in a particular subject, get help before you take the test. … Be prepared. … Get a good night’s rest. … Be on-time for your test. … Relax! … Set a pace.

How do you prepare for SSAT?

  1. Practice, practice, practice – early! …
  2. Read – a lot! …
  3. If you know you are weak in a particular subject, get help before you take the test. …
  4. Be prepared. …
  5. Get a good night’s rest. …
  6. Be on-time for your test. …
  7. Relax! …
  8. Set a pace.

What is in a SSAT?

The SSAT consists of a brief unscored writing sample and multiple choice sections that include quantitative (mathematics), reading comprehension, and verbal questions and a experimental section at the end which is unscored. … The overall difficulty level of the SSAT is built to be at 50–60%.

What is SSAT used for?

SSAT stands for the Secondary School Admissions Test, and it’s used for admission to private middle schools and high schools.

When should I start preparing for the SSAT?

We encourage students to allocate at least three months for effective SSAT prep. In many cases, students begin their SSAT prep at least a year prior to an official test date.

Do I need to study for SSAT?

Consider buying The Official Guide to the SSAT. While this is not necessary, having a test preparation book specifically for the SSAT can help to familiarize you with what types of questions are asked, how they are worded, and what exam scorers are looking for in answers.

How do I prepare my child for the SSAT?

  1. Prepare For SSAT | Scores Really Do Matter. …
  2. Prepare For SSAT | It Is Possible to Raise a Score. …
  3. Prepare For SSAT | Practice Really Does Make Perfect. …
  4. Prepare For SSAT | Read, Read, Read. …
  5. Prepare For SSAT | Learn to Skip. …
  6. Prepare For SSAT | Focus on Weak Areas.

Who uses SSAT?

The SSAT is your first step toward independent school success. Since 1957, students have used the SSAT to showcase their verbal, math, and reading skills to admissions professionals. It’s one important component of a complete application process, and it helps both schools and students ensure they find the best match.

Is SSAT similar to SAT?

How are the tests similar? The tests are similar in that they are entrance exams that help students get into schools of their choosing. Both the SAT and SSAT are only considered to be one part of the student’s application when looking to get accepted by a school.

Who owns the SSAT?

The SSAT is owned, published, and developed by the Secondary School Admission Test Board which can be reached on the web at or by phone at (609) 683-4440. There are three levels depending on your grade level: The Elementary Level exam (new in 2012) is for students currently in 3rd or 4th grade.

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How do I send my SSAT scores to schools?

  1. Log in to the parent/guardian account.
  2. Click the red “SSAT Scores” button.
  3. Click the “+” sign next to your student’s test.
  4. Type the name of the school or educational consultant (or their four-digit code) into “Search and Add Score Recipients.”

What SSAT do 8th graders take?

The SSAT is designed for students in grades 3 through 11 who are seeking admission to private schools. It’s available in three levels: 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.

How long does SSAT last?

The Middle Level SSAT and the Upper Level SSAT take a total of 3 hours and 5 minutes, including two breaks between sections and the experimental section at the end. The Elementary Level SSAT takes a total of 2 hours and 5 minutes, including one break and the experimental section.

How much should I study for the SSAT?

You’ll still want to study regularly, but can cut down to an hour or less per week for Elementary-level or roughly two hours per week for Upper-level.

What should I do the day before SSAT?

  • Do go for a walk.
  • Do know how to get to your testing center.
  • Don’t try to cram.
  • Do gather the essentials.
  • Do take your mind off the test.
  • Do go to bed at your normal time or earlier.
  • Don’t bring your cell phones, iPods, any type of tablet, or cameras.
  • Don’t stay up all night.

What's a good score on the SSAT?

A: The median total score for the Upper Level SSAT has been reported at approximately 1980 (out of 2400). A score of 2100 is in the top quartile of all test-takers, while scores of 2180 and 2240 are in the top 10% and top 5%, respectively.

How many times can you take the SSAT?

The SSAT at Home is offered every Saturday, as well as a few Sundays, and can be taken up to five times per year. The SSAT at Home is the same test as the traditional SSAT— the only difference is that the test is administered on the computer rather than on paper.

How much does SSAT cost?

Registration Details The SSAT middle/upper level test fee is $127 ($45 late fee, $35 change fee). The international fee is $247 (outside the US, Canada, Am. Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and USVI). You may be eligible for a fee waiver if you are unable to pay it, though waivers are limited.

How do I study for the SSAT verbal?

  1. Make learning vocabulary a family competition. …
  2. Study root words. …
  3. Create a word journal. …
  4. Read articles, not vocabulary lists. …
  5. Start with words you know. …
  6. Don’t try to finish the whole test, even if you want over 700. …
  7. Link words to sensory experiences.

Is SSAT same as PSAT?

How does the SSAT compare to the PSAT and SAT? Like the PSAT and SAT, the SSAT tests students’ verbal, reading, and math skills. However, since this exam is not designed by CollegeBoard — the organization that sponsors the PSAT and SAT — it tests some of these skills in different ways.

What type of math is on the SSAT?

The SSAT tests a student’s skills in three mathematical areas: computations, geometry/algebra, and mathematical concepts.

What's the difference between ISEE and SSAT?

The Differences The most notable difference between the SSAT and ISEE is the way your child is penalized for incorrect answers. Like the SAT, the SSAT penalizes the test taker ¼ of a point for incorrect answers while the ISEE does not penalize you.

How does the online SSAT work?

How is the SSAT at Home different from the paper-based SSAT? The SSAT at Home is the same standardized test as the SSAT but delivered on computer via a secure web application with continuous AI monitoring, data forensics and live remote proctoring.

Can you take the ISEE at home?

You can now take the ISEE at home, making it safe and easy to take this important admissions test. There are three different proctoring options when you take the ISEE at home: you can take the test through ProProctor, a school, or ERB. … The at-home testing option is available for the Lower, Middle, and Upper levels.

Can you take the SSAT twice?

Can I take the SSAT more than once? In general, yes. You may take the SSAT on any or all of the standard test dates. However, you may only take the SSAT on one FLEX test date per year.

What does SSAT percentile mean?

The percentile compares your student’s total scaled score to the total scaled score of those who have taken the SSAT. … For example, a 67th percentile indicates your student scored equal to or higher than sixty-seven percent of the other students in their grade.

How long does it take to get SSAT scores back?

Paper-Based SSAT (Standard or Flex) Most paper-based scores are typically released to schools and families within two weeks of the test date. Scores are released to families on the day after they are released to schools.

How do I cancel my SSAT score?

To cancel a test: Please email [email protected] with the name of the student and the test date you want to cancel. No refunds are given for cancelled tests. Refunds are not given for test cancellations.

What is an SSAT flex test?

A Flex test is a paper-based SSAT given to an individual or group on a flexible basis. The test date can be any day other than the six Standard test Saturdays. … Flex tests may be given by member schools or approved educational consultants.

How many questions are on the SSAT test?

SectionNumber of QuestionsDurationVerbal6030 minutesQuantitative 22530 minutesExperimental1615 minutesTotals1673 hours, 5 minutes

What grade is SSAT middle level?

The Middle Level SSAT is a multiple-choice test for students currently in grades 5-7 that consists of verbal, quantitative (math), and reading comprehension sections.