About SSAT
Test Structure | Test Dates & Locations | Percentiles & Scoring | FAQ
Test Structure
The SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) is a standardized test administered to students in from 3rd to 11th grade to help determine placement into certain private and independent schools. Many secondary schools worldwide use the SSAT as an integral part of their admissions process. The SSAT is owned, published, and developed by the Secondary School Admission Test Board which can be reached on the web at http://www.ssat.org or by phone at (609) 683-4440.
There are three levels depending on your grade level:
- The Elementary Level exam (new in 2012) is for students currently in 3rd or 4th grade.
- The Middle Level exam (formerly Lower Level) is for students currently in 5th -7th grade.
- The Upper Level exam is for students currently in 8th-11th grade.
All levels have the same basic format but vary in difficulty and length. The Elementary Level is shorter than the Middle and Upper Levels.
Test Format
The SSAT consists of three main sections (Verbal, Math, and Reading), plus a writing sample that either takes the form of a creative writing assignment or an essay. The format of the test differs based on the level of the exam:
Elementary Level |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Section | Questions | Length | Topics Covered |
| Math | 30 questions | 30 minutes | arithmetic, geometry, word problems |
| Verbal | 30 questions | 20 minutes | vocabulary: synonyms and analogies |
15-minute break | |||
| Reading | 28 questions | 30 minutes | short passages: fiction, non-fiction, poetry |
| Writing | one prompt | 15 minutes | creative writing assignment (not scored) |
Total testing time: 1 hour, 50 minutes | |||
Middle and Upper Levels |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Section | Questions | Length | Topics Covered |
| Writing | one prompt | 25 minutes | creative writing assignment (not scored) |
5-minute break | |||
| Math I | 25 questions | 30 minutes | arithmetic, algebra, geometry, word problems |
| Reading | 40 questions | 40 minutes | short passages: fiction, non-fiction, poetry |
10-minute break | |||
| Verbal | 60 questions | 30 minutes | vocabulary: synonyms and analogies |
| Math II | 25 questions | 30 minutes | arithmetic, algebra, geometry, word problems |
| Experimental section | 16 questions | 15 minutes | varies: this section is testing out questions for upcoming years and is not scored |
Total testing time: 3 hours, 5 minutes | |||
Except for the writing sample, all questions are multiple choice (A) to (E). You are not allowed to use calculators, rulers, dictionaries, or other aids during the exam.