SSAT Overview:

The SSAT is a standardized test, administered by Enrollment Management Association, taken by students seeking to enroll in an independent school in grades 3 and 4 who are applying to grades 4 and 5; the Middle Level, for students in grades 5–7 applying for grades 6–8; and the Upper Level, designed for students in grades 8–11 who are applying for grades 9–12.

Furthermore, it helps test students for admission to private middle and high schools’ different levels of the test are:

  • Upper Level- 8th grade and above.
  • Middle Level- 5th, 6th and 7th grade.
  • Elementary Level- 3rd and 4th grade.

This is a standardized test that assesses a student’s skills in three core areas specifically: Quantitative, Reading Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning, and Essay (optional). Also, there is a wrong answer penalty on the SSAT.

There are three levels to the exam:

Current GradeAppropriate Test LevelTest Duration
Grades 3-4SSAT Elementary-Level Test2 hours, 5 minutes
Grades 5-7SSAT Middle-Level Test3 hours, 10 minutes
Grades 8-11SSAT Upper-Level Test3 hours, 10 minutes

Elementary Level SSAT Test Breakdown:

Section# Of QuestionType of QuestionDuration
Quantitative/Math30Basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, Place value, Ordering of numbers (greater than, less than), Fractions, Basic concepts of geometry, Interpretation of graphs  30
Verbal30Vocabulary, Verbal Reasoning, Ability to Relate Ideas Logically20
Break15
Reading28Main Ideas, Details, Inferences, Word Meanings, Author’s Purpose, and Tone, Opinions, Arguments, Predictions30
Writing Sample1 promptA topic statement that you will be asked to respond to (support or argue), using specific examples from personal experience, current events, history, or literature15
Experimental Section15-17Verbal, Reading, and Quantitative-style questions15

Middle/Upper-Level SSAT Test Breakdown

Section# Of QuestionType of QuestionDuration
Writing Sample1A topic statement that you will be asked to respond to (support or argue), using specific examples from personal experience, current events, history, or literature25
Break5
Quantitative/Math30Number Concepts and Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, Data Analysis, Probability30
Reading40 multiple choice (7 passages)Main Ideas, Details, Inferences, Word Meanings, Author’s Purpose, and Tone, Opinions, Arguments, Predictions40
Break10
Verbal60 multiple choice (30 synonyms and 30 analogies)Vocabulary, Verbal Reasoning, Ability to Relate Ideas Logically30
Quantitative (Math)25Number Concepts and Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, Data Analysis, Probability30
Experimental Section16Verbal, Reading, and Quantitative-style questions15

If you already know about SSAT and preparing for the upcoming SSAT test, then check the Socrato YouTube channel for Practice Test scoring and diagnostic report. To Prepare smartly for the SSAT, download our free e-book “Smart and effective way SSAT prep”.

Tagged with →