SSAT Test Preparation

SSAT Test Preparation and Format

The SSAT is a very tough test for admission into different grades in ‌schools in the US. There are different levels: Elementary, Middle and Upper. The Elementary Level SSAT is for students who are currently in 3-4 grades, the Middle Level is for students in 5-7 grades, and the Upper Level is for students in 8-11 grades. The test is for students seeking admission in grades 4–12 in premier private schools in the US.

The Secondary School Admission Test is the SSAT exam in full form that consists of four sections with a total of 170 questions and one essay prompt without a score. With a few brief breaks factored in, the test will be finished in around 2 hours and 55 minutes.

The exam is administered on three levels:

Current Grade	Appropriate Test Level
Grades 3-4	SSAT Elementary Level Test
Grades 5-7	SSAT Middle-Level Test
Grades 8-11	SSAT Upper-Level Test

Table for Test Details, Number of Questions, Duration

Section	Number of Questions	Question Types	Times
Writing Sample	1 (unscored) prompt	Topic statement which you will be asked to respond to (support or argue), using specific examples from personal experience, current events, history or literature	25 minutes
Breaak	-	-	5 minutes
Quantitative (Math)	25 multiple choice	Number Concepts and Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, Data Analysis, Probability	30 minutes
Reading	40 multiple choice (7 passages)	Main Ideas, Details, Inferences, Word Meanings, Author’s Purpose and Tone, Opinions and Arguments, Predictions	40 minutes
Breaak	-	-	10 minutes
Verbal	60 multiple choice (30 synonyms and 30 analogies)	Vocabulary, Verbal Reasoning, Ability to Relate Ideas Logically	30 minutes
Quantitative (Math)	25 multiple-choice	Number Concepts and Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, Data Analysis, Probability	30 minutes
Experimental	16 multiple-choice	Verbal, Reading, and Quantitative-style questions	15 minutes
Total	167 Questions		3 hours, 5 minutes

Usually, tests start at 9:00 am and end by 12:30–1:00 pm. Make sure you have reached the exam centre around 30 minutes early.

Registration Details of SSAT Exams

The cost of the middle/upper-level SSAT exam is $127 ($45 for lateness and $35 for a change). $247 is the international fee (outside the US, Canada, Am. Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and USVI). If you are unable to pay the charge, you might be qualified for a waiver, but these are extremely rare and only granted in exceptional circumstances. If you have any additional queries about test fees or waivers, contact your admissions office.

Know What is a Good SSAT Exam Score

The value of each question on the SSAT is the same across all sections, including verbal, mathematics, and writing. The number of questions that are correctly answered is divided by the number of questions that are mistakenly answered, and the result is the raw score

The SSAT score report contains several sets of scores and percentiles, including,

Scaled Scores

The scaled score for each section of the test that are (Verbal, Quantitative, Reading, and Total)

Grades 5-7 (Middle Level): 440-710 (V/Q/R), 1320-2130 (Total)
Grades 8-11 (Upper Level): 500-800 (V/Q/R), 1500-2400 (Total)

SSAT Percentile Ranks for each category (1-99%)

Your SSAT scores will be compared to those of other students who took the test within the past three years, using percentile ranks. Keep yourself informed that while the essay portion is not graded, a copy of the same will be forwarded to the school or consultant.

How Can CrunchGrade Help?

At CrunchGrade, we help you get ready for your SSAT exams by finding the best SSAT tutor. We provide study and SSAT test prep materials for students who want to take the SSAT test prep classes and also assist you to understand SSAT exam eligibility. This includes a comprehensive study and test paper for SSAT exam prep. At CrunchGrade, our SSAT tutors and guides are fully qualified and experienced to offer your child lessons that can prepare them perfectly for the test.

Our tutors and guides are well-versed in the SSAT and can provide your child with lessons that will help them achieve their best score. Each of our high-quality SSAT exam preparation study packages comes with a study guide that is designed to help you understand each question and answer it correctly, as well as hundreds of questions that are tailored to help you understand the material and improve your score. Moreover, you and your child can practice online whenever and wherever you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I study for the SSAT?

A: Here is what you can do:

Prepare yourself to take the test more than once
Try to take mock tests
Study in smaller and regular sessions
Learn tips and tricks to perform well on the test
Increase your stock of vocabulary
Read as much as you can.
Do not get worried when you see unknown questions

Q: How long should I study for the SSAT?

A: Usually, it takes six to four months to prepare for the SSAT thoroughly. However, depending on your adeptness and skill level, you may take a lesser or longer time.

Q: Is the SSAT test hard?

A: The SSAT is harder than a school exam. Many sincere students get upset if they fail to get 90% or more of the SSAT questions correct, which is quite common. Usually, all students come across several problems on the SSAT test that are too tough for them.

Q: What is the guessing strategy for SSAT?

A: There will be questions you are familiar with and very confident of answering, and then some questions you may know but not very sure of knowing completely, and some questions you do not know at all. Your strategy should be to first answer questions that you are confident you know, and then guess answers for questions you do not. And finally, answer the questions you know but are not very confident of knowing completely.

Q: When should I start studying for the SSAT?

A: We recommend, you start your SSAT test preparation six to four months ahead of the test date. It will take you some time to prepare yourself thoroughly.

Q: How can I study for SSAT in a week?

A: Here is what you can do to prepare for the SSAT exam in just one week

Take a complete practice test
Expose yourself to the maximum number of parts of the test possible.
Reevaluate common test-taking strategies
Touch all the sections equally
Do not get stressed or uneasy
Relax, eat and sleep well

Q: What grade levels are SSAT?

A: The Elementary Level SSAT is for students who are currently in 3-4 grades, the Middle Level is for students in 5-7 grades, and the Upper Level is for students in 8-11 grades.