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What Is The SSAT?
By
Cece Gilmore
Cece Gilmore is a Content Writer at Scholarships360. Cece earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. While at ASU, she was the education editor as well as a published staff reporter at Downtown Devil. Cece was also the co-host of her own radio show on Blaze Radio ASU.
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Cari Schultz is an Educational Review Board Advisor at Scholarships360, where she reviews content featured on the site. For over 20 years, Cari has worked in college admissions (Baldwin Wallace University, The Ohio State University, University of Kentucky) and as a college counselor (Columbus School for Girls).
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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
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TThe SSAT is the Secondary Schools Admissions Test that is used for entrance into private middle and high schools. It is just one piece of the private school application process. Therefore, be sure that you or your student have strong grades and extracurriculars in addition to strong test scores. With this in mind, read more about what the SSAT is in our guide below!Â
Related: How to reduce test taking anxiety
What exactly is the SSAT?Â
The SSAT is a test that aims to measure the math, verbal, and reading skills of students looking to attend private middle or high schools. It is designed for students in grades 3 to 11 in order to be considered for entry to private middle or high schools. The SSAT has three levels of tests that can be taken depending on the grade level of school the test taker is currently in.Â
Also see: Top middle school scholarships
What are the different grade levels that can take the SSAT?Â
The SSAT has three levels for students to take dependent on their current year in school:Â
- Elementary level – for students currently in grades 3 through 4Â
- Middle level – for students currently in grades 5 through 7Â
- Upper level – for students currently in grades 8 through 11Â
The SSAT has similar question types for all three levels with the upper levels containing higher-level concepts and vocabulary.Â
Don’t miss: Private vs. public K-12: What to consider
Sections of the test
The SSAT is broken down into three sections no matter which level of the test is taken. This includes quantitative math, verbal, and reading comprehension. In addition, there is an unscored essay question and an unscored experimental question section that is used to help create future SSAT tests. Although the unscored essay question is unscored, teachers can still view these essays.Â
Elementary level SSAT format
The elementary level SSAT students will have to take the exam in a duration of 2 hours and 5 minutes.Â
| Section | Number of Questions | Time permitted |
| Quantitative math | 30 | 30 minutes |
| Verbal | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Reading | 28 | 30 minutes |
| Writing essay question | 1 prompt | 15 minutes |
| Experimental questions | 15-17 | 15 minutes |
About each elementary level SSAT sectionÂ
Quantitative math section
- Basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
- Fractions
- Ordering of numbers
- Basic concepts of measurement
- Interpretation of graphs
Verbal section
- Synonyms
- Analogies
- Part to whole
- Category
- Homonyms
- Uses
Reading section
- Consists of 7 short passages each with 4 multiple-choice questions
- Passages can be fiction, poetry, or nonfiction
Writing essay question
- Student is asked to look at a picture and tell a story about what happened
- The story must contain a beginning, a middle, and an end
Experimental questions section
- Mixed content questions
- Can contain verbal, reading and math questions
Don’t miss: What is the Standard Application Online (SAO)?
Middle/Upper level SSAT format
The middle to upper level students will have to take the SSAT in a duration of 3 hours and 10 minutes.
| Section | Number of Questions | Time permitted |
| Writing essay question | 1 prompt | 25 minutes |
| Quantitative math | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Reading | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Verbal | 60 | 30 minutes |
| Quantitative math | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Experimental questions | 16 | 15 minutes |
About each middle and upper level SSAT sectionÂ
Quantitative math section
- Number concepts and operations
- Algebra
- Geometry/measurement
- Data analysis/probability
Verbal section
- Synonyms
- Analogies
- Relationship between two words
Reading section
- Passages of 250-350 words with questions
- Passages can be fiction, humanities, science, and social studies
- Questions can ask about main ideas, details, author’s purpose, attitude, and tone
Writing essay question
- Choose from 1 of 2 creative prompts
- Based on 1 of 2 story startersÂ
Don’t miss: How to find scholarships for private K-12 schools
How is the SSAT scored?Â
The SSAT score report reveals how well the tester did on each scored verbal, quantitative math, and reading section. In addition, it shows the total score which is the sum of the section scores.
Each level (elementary, middle, or upper) is scored on a different scale.Â
| Level | Minimum score by section | Maximum score by section | Total minimum score (3 sections added together) | Total maximum score (3 sections added together)Â |
| Elementary | 300 | 600 | 900 | 1800 |
| Middle | 440 | 710 | 1320 | 2130 |
| Upper | 500 | 800 | 1500 | 2400 |
At all levels testers receive:Â
- 1 point for every correct answer
- 0 points for every skipped answer
- A deduction of ¼ point for wrong answers
Signing up for the exam
The SSAT offers three ways to take the test including:Â
- Paper-based testing on standard or flex dates
- Computer-based testing at a prometric test center
- Computer-based exam at home (US and Canada only)Â
You can visit the SSAT website to learn more about signing up for the exam.
Cost of the test
In the United States, the test is priced by the exam level the student is taking as well as the way the student chooses for the exam to be administered.
Elementary level
- Standard or school flex – $109
- Flex with an educational consultant – $169
Middle/Upper level
- Standard or school Flex – $169
- Prometric SSAT – $239
- Flex with an educational consultant – $269
- SSAT at Home – $255
The SSAT is very accommodating if the test taker is eligible to waive the fee. To request a SSAT test fee waiver, visit the school being applied to for a waiver.Â
The SSAT fee waiver will waive the fee for digital or paper-based exams. It will not cover late or service fees.Â
Additional resources
The process of applying to private school involves a lot of moving pieces, but we can help put it together for you. Check out our guides to country day schools, Montessori schools, charter schools, parochial schools, and microschools. We can also give you an idea of the price of boarding school and tell you all about KIPP and the ISEE. Good luck! Make sure that you apply for all the scholarships you qualify for at every stage of your educational journey!
Frequently asked questions about the SSAT
Which part of SSAT is the hardest?
Can I take a free SSAT practice test?
Is it better to skip questions on the SSAT or guess?
