SSAT/ISEE Preparation
The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) is a comprehensive assessment designed for students in grades 3–11 evaluating their verbal, math, and reading skills along with a non-scored writing sample to assess writing ability. Here’s a breakdown of what the SSAT entails and the various testing options available:
Upper Level: Grades 8-11
Middle Level: Grades 5-7
Elementary Level: Grades 3-4
What’s on the SSAT?
The SSAT is a virtually unspeeded assessment allowing students ample time to consider each question. It includes sections on verbal, math, and reading skills along with a non-scored writing sample. Additionally, an experimental section may be included to validate future questions.
Testing Options
Regardless of the format chosen, SSAT testing sections, question amounts, and time allotted for each section remain consistent.
Paper SSAT
Preferred by many students for its resemblance to a classroom testing experience. Offered in two formats: Standard SSAT (on six designated dates) and Flex testing (special testing dates). Retake opportunities are available with data showing improved performance upon retaking. Scores typically released within two to three weeks.
Prometric SSAT Testing
Provides a controlled environment for a computer-based test, increasing access globally. Not available in select countries. Testing accommodations available for qualified students. Scores released shortly after the testing period ends.
SSAT at Home
Online test option available in the US and Canada. Designated test dates from August through mid-July. Requires a suitable testing environment with technical setup checks beforehand. Equity tech kits provided for those in need. Online proctors monitor testing. Testing accommodations available for qualified students. Scores typically released within a week.
SSAT Pricing
Pricing varies based on the testing method and level, with fee waivers available for qualified test takers. All prices are in USD.
Elementary Level (grades 3-4):
Standard or school Flex: $109
Flex with an educational consultant: $169
Middle Level/Upper Level (grades 5-11):
Standard or school Flex: $169
Prometric SSAT: $239
Flex with an educational consultant: $269
SSAT at Home: $255
International Testing:
Elementary Level: $229
Middle Level/Upper Level: $329
Additional fees may apply for late or rush registrations as well as credit card surcharges. Whether opting for the traditional paper-based test, computer-based Prometric testing, or the convenient SSAT at Home option, the SSAT provides a comprehensive assessment to aid in the admission process for secondary schools.
Upper and Middle Level SSAT
The Upper Level SSAT is a crucial assessment for students seeking admission to private high schools. Available globally in both paper and Prometric formats, as well as the convenient SSAT at Home option in the United States and Canada, it offers flexibility and accessibility to a wide range of students.
Test Duration: 3 Hours 10 Minutes
What’s Included:
Quantitative (Math): Assessing math computation skills and problem-solving abilities in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and other concepts.
Verbal: Evaluating vocabulary strength and verbal reasoning through synonyms and analogies.
Reading: Testing reading comprehension skills through passages from various genres like literary fiction, humanities, science, and social studies.
Writing Sample: Students have 25 minutes to write an essay choosing between a personal or general question prompt. While not scored, the writing sample assists schools in assessing writing abilities.
Experimental: A section featuring future SSAT questions for quality testing purposes.
Sections:
Writing Sample (Part 1):
Duration: 25 minutes
Students have 25 minutes to craft an essay based on a personal or general question prompt. While not scored, this sample is sent to schools along with the score report aiding in the assessment of writing skills.
Quantitative (Math) (Part 3 & 7):
Number of questions: 50
Duration: 60 minutes
This section consists of 50 questions across two 30-minute segments evaluating arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and other quantitative concepts.
Reading Comprehension (Part 4):
Number of questions: 40
Duration: 40 minutes
This section assesses reading ability and comprehension through passages from literary fiction, humanities, science, and social studies.
Verbal (Part 6):
Number of questions: 60 (30 synonyms and 30 analogies)
Duration: 30 minutes
Focusing on vocabulary, verbal reasoning, and logical idea association through synonyms and analogies.
Experimental (Part 8):
Number of questions: 16
Duration: 15 minutes
Although unscored, this section ensures future test questions’ reliability, security, and appropriateness comprising verbal, reading, and quantitative questions.
Breaks (Part 2 & 5): Two ten-minute breaks are provided to ensure students remain fresh and focused throughout the testing duration.
Scoring:
Each scored section contributes to the overall SSAT score, providing schools with a comprehensive evaluation of a student’s abilities. Accommodations and fee waivers are available to ensure access to all students. By assessing a broad range of skills and knowledge areas, the Upper Level SSAT equips schools with valuable insights into prospective students’ academic aptitude and potential for success.
Elementary Level SSAT
The Elementary Level SSAT is the premier private elementary school admission test designed for students currently in grades 3–4, offering flexibility for students to test up or down. It comprises sections on math, verbal, reading, and a writing sample, providing a comprehensive assessment of a student’s abilities.
Sections and Duration:
Quantitative (Math):
Duration: 30 minutes
Content: 30 questions covering various math concepts such as number sense, operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and probability. No Calculator: Students must rely on their understanding of fundamental math principles without the aid of calculators.
Verbal:
Duration: 20 minutes
Content: 30 questions focused on vocabulary and analogies, assessing language comprehension, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
Reading:
Duration: 30 minutes
Content: 28 questions based on seven short passages from diverse literary genres, testing literal, inferential, and evaluative comprehension skills.
Writing Sample:
Duration: 15 minutes
Content: Students respond to a picture prompt by crafting a story with a beginning, middle, and end. While not scored, schools receive the writing sample as part of the score report.
Experimental:
Duration: 15 minutes
Content: 15–17 questions spanning verbal, reading, and math, designed to evaluate potential future SSAT questions. This section is not scored.
SSAT FAQs
The SSAT, or the Secondary School Admission Test, is a standardized test designed to test quantitative, verbal, and reading comprehension skills in students wishing to attend independent schools. The test is offered in three different levels: the Elementary Level for students in grades 3-4, the Middle Level for students in grades 5-7, and the Upper Level for students in grades 8-11. The length of the test is 110 minutes for the elementary level, and 3 hours and 5 minutes for the Middle and Upper Levels.
The SSAT contains four different content areas: Verbal, Quantitative, Reading and Writing.
- The Verbal section is 30 minutes long and contains 60 questions.
- The Quantitative portion contains two 30-minute sections of 25 questions each.
- The Reading Comprehension section is 40 minutes long and contains 40 questions.
- The Essay is 25 minutes long.
The SSAT is administered multiple times throughout the year, typically on Saturdays at designated test centers.
Yes, you can take the SSAT multiple times. There are no restrictions on the number of times you can take the SSAT, allowing students the opportunity to improve scores with additional attempts. Students may take the test on any or all of the eight nationally-scheduled SSAT administrations. Administrations typically occur in October, November, December, February, March, April and June.
The SSAT, or Secondary School Admission Test, is scored based on the number of correct answers a student provides on the exam. The scoring process involves several steps:
- Raw Score Calculation: Each section of the SSAT—Verbal, Math, Reading, and Writing—is scored separately. Test takers receive one point for each correct answer on the multiple-choice sections (Verbal, Math, and Reading). There is no penalty for incorrect or unanswered questions. For the Writing Sample, students are scored on a scale of 1 to 6 by two readers, with a score of 1 representing the lowest performance and a score of 6 representing the highest.
- Scaled Score Conversion: After calculating the raw scores for each section, the SSAT Board converts these scores to a scaled score for each section. The scaled scores range from 500 to 800 for the Verbal, Math, and Reading sections, and from 4 to 24 for the Writing Sample.
- Percentile Rank: In addition to scaled scores, students receive a percentile rank for each section, which indicates how their performance compares to that of other test takers. For example, a percentile rank of 70 means that the student scored as well as or better than 70% of other test takers in that section
Lower Level tests are scored from 440-710. Upper Level tests are scored from 500- 800. Similarly to the SAT, the SSAT is scored by calculating a raw score which is determined by adding one point for every correct answer and subtracting ¼ of a point for every incorrect answer. This raw score is converted to a scaled score using a curve unique to the test.
The average SSAT score can vary depending on the level of the test (Elementary, Middle, or Upper) and the specific section of the exam. However, the SSAT is scored on a scale from 500 to 800 for the Verbal, Math, and Reading sections, and from 4 to 24 for the Writing Sample. The average score for each section typically falls around the midpoint of the scoring range.
While there is no universally defined “average” SSAT score, a score around 50th percentile can be considered average. This means that approximately half of all test takers scored higher than the student, and half scored lower. For example, a scaled score of around 550 to 600 for each section and a Writing Sample score around 12 to 15 would be considered average.
Schools use average SSAT scores as a benchmark for evaluating applicants’ academic abilities and potential for success in their academic programs. While average scores may not stand out as exceptional, they indicate solid academic performance and competency in the tested subjects. Admissions committees consider these scores, along with other components of the application, when making admissions decisions.
The SSAT, or Secondary School Admission Test, consists of multiple-choice questions and a writing sample. The test is divided into several sections, each assessing different skills and abilities.
- Verbal Section: The Verbal section assesses a student’s vocabulary and verbal reasoning skills. Test takers encounter various question types, including synonym and analogy questions, which require them to identify relationships between words.
- Quantitative (Math) Section: The Quantitative section measures a student’s mathematical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. Questions cover topics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation.
- Reading Section: The Reading section evaluates a student’s reading comprehension skills. Test takers read passages on various topics and answer questions that assess their ability to understand main ideas, infer meanings, and analyze the author’s argument or perspective.
- Writing Sample: The SSAT includes an unscored writing sample, where students are given a prompt that presents a decision or argument. They must write a persuasive essay defending a position or proposing a course of action. While the writing sample is not scored, it is sent to schools along with the SSAT score as part of the admissions process.
Registering for the SSAT, or Secondary School Admission Test, is a simple process that can be completed online here: SSAT Board.
The standard test fee covers the cost of registering for the SSAT and includes one score report sent to the schools of your choice. The standard test fee varies depending on the test level (Elementary, Middle, or Upper). It typically ranges from $100 to $150 (USD). Fee waivers are available for students who qualify. Request one by contacting the schools where you are applying.
ISEE FAQs
The ISEE, or Independent School Entrance Examination, is a standardized test used for admission to independent or private schools in the United States.
The exam is designed to test the quantitative and verbal abilities in students wishing to attend independent schools. The test is offered in three different levels (the Lower Level for students in grades 4-5, the Middle Level for students in grades 6-7, and the Upper Level for students in grades 8-11) and ranges from 2 hours and 20 minutes for the lower level to 2 hours and 40 minutes for middle and upper levels.
The ISEE contains five different content areas: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and an Essay.
Verbal Reasoning:
- Lower Level—34 multiple choice questions in 20 minutes
- Middle Level/Upper Level—40 questions in 20 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning:
- Lower Level—38 multiple choice questions in 35 minutes
- Middle Level/Upper Level—37 multiple choice questions in 35 minutes
The Reading Comprehension:
- Lower Level—25 multiple choice questions in 25 minutes
- Middle Level/Upper Level—36 multiple choice questions in 35 minutes
Mathematics Achievement
- Lower Level—30 questions in 30 minutes
- Middle Level/Upper Level—47 questions in 40 minutes
Essay
- All levels—1 prompt in 30 minutes
The ISEE plays a significant role in the admissions process for many independent or private schools. It provides schools with valuable information about a student’s academic abilities and potential for success in a rigorous academic environment. ISEE scores help admissions committees evaluate your academic readiness and fit for their school’s academic program. They provide a standardized measure of your verbal, quantitative (math), reading comprehension, and writing skills. Admissions committees use ISEE scores, along with other factors such as transcripts, recommendations, and interviews, to make informed decisions about student admissions.
Yes, you can take the ISEE multiple times. There are no restrictions on the number of times you can take the ISEE, allowing students the opportunity to improve their scores with additional attempts.
Schools vary in their policies regarding multiple ISEE scores. Some schools consider only the highest ISEE score, while others may consider an average of all scores or take the highest score into account while considering the others. It’s essential for applicants to research the policies of their target schools regarding multiple ISEE scores to understand how they may impact admissions decisions.
The ISEE, or Independent School Entrance Examination, is scored based on the number of correct answers a student provides on the exam. The scoring process involves several steps:
- Raw Score Calculation: Each section of the ISEE—Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and the Essay—is scored separately. Test takers receive one point for each correct answer on the multiple-choice sections (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension). There is no penalty for incorrect answers.
- Scaled Score Conversion: After calculating the raw scores for each section, the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) converts these scores to a scaled score for each section. The scaled scores range from 760 to 940 for each section of the ISEE.
- Percentile Rank: In addition to scaled scores, students receive a percentile rank for each section, which indicates how their performance compares to that of other test takers. For example, a percentile rank of 70 means that the student scored as well as or better than 70% of other test takers in that section.
Essay Scoring: The Essay section of the ISEE is scored on a scale of 1 to 6 by two independent scorers. Each scorer assigns a score based on the overall quality of the essay, including organization, development of ideas, and language use. The two scores are then averaged to determine the final Essay score.
The ISEE is divided into four main sections, each assessing different skills and abilities:
- Verbal Reasoning: This section evaluates a student’s vocabulary and ability to understand and analyze relationships between words.
- Quantitative Reasoning: The Quantitative Reasoning section measures a student’s mathematical reasoning and problem-solving abilities, covering concepts such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
- Reading Comprehension: The Reading Comprehension section assesses a student’s ability to understand and analyze written passages, including identifying main ideas, making inferences, and understanding the author’s purpose and tone.
- Writing Sample: The ISEE includes an unscored writing sample, where students are given a prompt and must write an essay expressing their thoughts and opinions on the topic. While the writing sample is not scored, it is sent to schools along with the ISEE score as part of the admissions process.
Schools interpret ISEE scores in the context of your overall application. While strong ISEE scores can enhance your application and demonstrate academic proficiency, they are typically one of several factors considered in the admissions process. Admissions committees evaluate applicants holistically, taking into account factors such as academic performance, extracurricular involvement, recommendations, interviews, and other criteria.
The ISEE, or Independent School Entrance Examination, consists of multiple-choice questions and an essay prompt. The test is divided into several sections, each assessing different skills and abilities. Here are the main types of questions you will encounter on the ISEE:
- Verbal Reasoning: The Verbal Reasoning section evaluates a student’s vocabulary and ability to understand and analyze relationships between words. Test takers encounter various question types, including synonym questions, where they must identify words with similar meanings, and analogy questions, where they must identify relationships between pairs of words.
- Quantitative Reasoning: The Quantitative Reasoning section measures a student’s mathematical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. Questions cover topics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. Test takers may encounter questions that require mathematical calculations, as well as questions that assess their ability to interpret and analyze quantitative information.
- Reading Comprehension: The Reading Comprehension section assesses a student’s ability to understand and analyze written passages. Test takers read passages on various topics and answer questions that test their ability to identify main ideas, make inferences, and understand the author’s purpose and tone. Questions may also ask students to analyze the organization and structure of the passages.
- Essay Writing: The ISEE includes an unscored essay writing section, where students are given a prompt and must write an essay expressing their thoughts and opinions on the topic. While the essay is not scored, it is sent to schools along with the ISEE score as part of the admissions process.
Registering for the ISEE, or Independent School Entrance Examination, is a straightforward process that can be completed online through the official website of the Educational Records Bureau (ERB). Registration by phone incurs an additional fee of $30. Call (800) 446-0320.
The standard test fee covers the cost of registering for the ISEE and includes one score report sent to the schools of your choice. The standard test fee varies depending on the test level (Lower, Middle, or Upper), typically ranging from $100 to $180.
Fee waivers may be available for eligible students who demonstrate financial need. The ERB offers fee waivers that cover the cost of the standard test fee, as well as additional fees for score reports and optional services. Eligibility criteria and the application process for fee waivers are determined by the ERB and are based on financial need.