SSAT Tutoring

The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) is a standardized test used for private school admissions.

The SSAT measures verbal, quantitative, and reading skills that students have developed over time.  It emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for academic success.

Students from Grades 3 to 11 can take the SSAT. However, there are three different levels of the SSAT Test.

• If you are applying to 3rd or 4th Grade, take the SSAT Elementary Level Test.
• If you are applying to 5th, 6th, or 7th Grade, take the SSAT Middle-Level Test.
• If you are applying to 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th Grade, take the SSAT Upper-Level Test.

The SSAT consists of

• 1 Verbal Section
• 2 Math Sections
• 1 Reading Section
• 1 Writing Section (Ungraded)

The SSAT exam contains a total of 150 questions.

In total, there are 50 math questions, 60 verbal questions, 40 reading questions, & 1 essay.

The total time for the Middle & Upper-Level SSAT Test is 3 hours and 10 minutes.

• Writing Sample – 25 minutes
• Break – 10 minutes
• Quantitative Section- 30 Minutes
• Reading Section – 40 minutes
• Break – 10 minutes
• Verbal Section – 30 minutes
• Quantitative Section- 30 minutes
• Experimental Section – 15 minutes

In the U.S. and Canada, there are three ways to take the Middle or Upper-Level SSAT.

1. Paper-Based Testing
2. Computer-Based Testing at a Prometric Test Center
3. Computer-Based SSAT at Home

In the United States, Middle and Upper School Level SSAT tests can cost between $155 and $235.

If you are taking the SSAT at a paper-based test center, please bring the following items:

• Printed SSAT admission Ticket
• Three No. 2 Pencils (DON’T bring mechanical pencils)
• Snack
• Drink
• Light sweatshirt

Find a Test Center Location.

Registration for the 2022-23 SSAT opens on August 1, 2022.

• SSAT Standard Test registration closes at 11:59 pm EST the Wednesday before each test.
• Registration for SSAT Standard Tests with accommodations closes 14 days prior to each test.

Paper-based Standard SSATs begin at 9 am EST. Plan to arrive 30-45 minutes ahead of the start time.

Many private schools in NYC accept the SSAT in their admissions process. Please visit https://search.ssat.org/member-search for more information.

The SSAT scores consist of a scaled score for each of the three sections – Math, Reading, & Verbal – as well as a total scaled score.

Middle-Level SSAT scaled scores range from 440 to 710 and total scores range from 1320 to 2130. You also receive a percentile rank, which compares your scaled score to that of other students in the same grade that took the SSAT.

Upper-Level SSAT scores range from 500 to 800 for each of the score sections (verbal, quantitative, reading), for a total between 1500 and 2400. You also receive a percentile rank, which compare your scaled score to that of other students in the same grade that took the SSAT.

SSAT at Home & Prometric SSAT scores are released to schools the Wednesday following your SSAT test date.

Paper-Based SSAT scores are released to schools and families within two weeks of the test date.

Yes, Middle & Upper-Level students can take up to 6 Standard tests or up to 2 Flex tests.

Elementary students can take up to 2 Standard tests or one Standard and one Flex test.

Upper-Level SSAT Math consists of

• Algebra
• Computation
• Geometry
• Number Sense
• Pre-Algebra
• Statistics & Probability

Middle-Level SSAT Math consists of 

• Pre-Algebra & Algebra
• Data Analysis
• Geometry
• Measurement
• Number Concepts & Conversion
• Statistics & Probability

The Verbal section contains a total of 60 questions

• 30 Synonym Questions
• 30 Analogy Questions

The reading section contains six or seven reading passages of 250-350 words in length.

Passage topics included literature, the humanities, science, and social studies.

Questions are based on recognizing main ideas, locating details, making inferences, evaluating the author’s purpose, author’s tone, and assessing arguments.

Please visit SSAT Registration to register for the SSAT.

Yes, you can study for the SSAT by taking official practice SSAT Tests and getting SSAT Tutoring.

It’s important to get the right help and resources to best prepare your student for the SSAT.

1. Create an SSAT study plan
   1. Focus your child on the areas where they struggle.
2. Take the free 30-minute online SSAT practice test.
3. Use official SSAT study materials.
4. Use an experienced SSAT tutor to help your child excel on the test.

I’d recommend starting to study 3 to 6 months before the SSAT exam. If you plan to take the official test in the Fall, you should begin to study for the SSAT in the Spring.