Secondary School Admission Test

The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) is an aptitude test to determine admission for private schools. The results of the SSAT test are used to determine a student’s academic abilities. However, schools also take into account a student’s grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and teacher recommendations. The SSAT test is administered to students in grades 5-11. There are two levels: lower (for those in grades 5-7) and upper (for those in grades 8-11).

The SSAT test is normally taken as a national test. This means that it is held on eight Saturdays per year. You are allowed to take the test as many times as it is offered. You can register online up until the day of the test, or via fax and mail until the registration deadline. There is also a flex-test administration, which is administered outside of the eight scheduled national test dates. The flex test is generally given on an individual basis with an educational consultant. You can only take the flex test once per year.

To register for the SSAT test, you will need to complete and submit an application and pay the $116 fee. When your registration is confirmed, you will receive an admission ticket. This ticket must be brought with you on the day of the test. It contains your student information, registration number, testing site and location, score recipients, and test day instructions.

On the day of the SSAT test, be sure to bring your admission ticket, several sharpened No.2 pencils, and an eraser. Testing normally begins by 9 a.m., but you should arrive by 8:15 a.m. for check-in. You will be dismissed between 12 and 12:30 p.m.

The SSAT test is multiple-choice and consists of five sections: verbal, reading comprehension, essay, and two sections of math. The verbal portion of the test assesses your reasoning, logic, and vocabulary skills. It contains 30 synonym questions and 30 analogies.

• The reading comprehension portion measures your ability to understand what you read. It contains 40 questions about seven reading passages.
• The math portion contains two sections of 25 questions each and includes arithmetic, algebra, and geometry problems.
• The SSAT test also includes a written portion that responds to a particular prompt. Although not graded, the essay is sent to the schools that you have requested to see your SSAT test scores.
  

After you complete the SSAT test, your schools will receive your score report within two weeks. Your score report will be released to your parents several days after this date via mail or e-mail. It will explain how to read and interpret your scores. For the lower level SSAT test (grades 5-7), the range is 440-710 for each of the three sections (verbal, math, and reading comprehension), for a total range of 1320-2130. For the upper level SSAT test (grades 8-11), the range is 500-800 for each of the three sections, for a total range of 1500-2400. Your score report will show a percentile rank, which compares your score to other students who have taken the SSAT test in the past three years. Each school evaluates your SSAT test score differently using their own standards and guidelines. There is no pass or fail.