SSAT
What is the SSAT?
The SSAT is a test for private school admission. The Elementary Level SSAT exam is for students currently in grades 3 and 4. It runs for a total of 2 hours and 5 minutes with a 15 minute break. The Middle Level SSAT test is for students currently in grades 5 through 7. It runs for a total of 3 hours and 10 minutes with two 10 minute breaks. The Upper Level SSAT test is for students currently in grades 8 through 11. It also runs for a total of 3 hours and 10 minutes with two 10 minute breaks.
The exam is either on paper or computer. The paper version is done on a fill in the bubble answer sheet and a handwritten essay. The online version has students select their answers on the screen and type their essay. It is available in three different formats: on paper at a testing location, at home on the computer, and Prometric (on a computer at a testing center).
How is the SSAT scored?
The Elementary Level SSAT is scored with one point for each correct answer and no penalty for incorrect answers. The Middle Level and Upper Level SSAT is scored with one point for each correct answer. A quarter of a point is subtracted for each incorrect answer and no points are awarded or deducted for omitted questions.
How does the SSAT work?
The SSAT test for the Middle Level and Upper Level consists of 6 sections with 5 of the sections consisting of all multiple choice questions. Elementary Level consists of 5 sections with 4 consisting of all multiple choice questions. They are:
Writing Sample
- Elementary Level – Timed for 15 minutes writing a story based on a prompted picture.
- Middle Level & Upper Level – Timed for 25 minutes choosing between a personal or general question prompt.
- Writing samples are not scored, but they are provided to the schools to assess the student’s writing abilities.
Quantitative (Math)
- Elementary Level – One section with 30 questions/30 minutes
- Middle Level & Upper Level – Two separate sections with 25 questions/30 minutes for each section
Reading Comprehension
- Elementary Level – 28 questions/30 minutes
- Middle Level & Upper Level – 40 questions/40 minutes
Verbal
- Elementary Level – 30 questions/20 minutes
- Middle Level & Upper Level – 60 questions/30 minutes
- The verbal section consists of synonyms and analogies.
Experimental
- Elementary Level – 15-17 questions/15 minutes
- Middle Level & Upper Level – 16 questions/15 minutes
- The experimental section is not scored and contains six verbal, five reading, and five quantitative questions.
How can Y3K Tutor In Your Home’s SSAT tutoring help?
Often there are subjects on the test that students haven’t been taught yet. With our one-on-one SSAT test preparation, students will master:
- Reading comprehension test taking techniques
- Important vocabulary
- Synonym strategies using vocabulary
- Analogy interpretations and patterns
- Review of current math and old math concepts needed for test questions
- New math concepts taught at higher grade levels that appear on the test
- Multiple choice test taking methods
- When to skip questions and when to make educated guesses
- How test answer choices are designed to trick students
- Focusing techniques
- How to make educated guesses using elimination strategies
- Stamina to sit through an approximately 3 hour exam
- Time management/pacing strategies to finish all questions
- Essay writing skills