ssat essay upper level

• SSAT&ISEE Books

SSAT Writing: Essay Prompts and Samples

Home > SSAT Test > SSAT Writing >

The SSAT Essay

The SSAT essay is the first part of the SSAT exam. You will be given a choice of two topics, one creative writing topic, and one topic that asks for your opinion about an issue. You have 25 minutes to read the topics, choose the topic you wish to write about, organize your essay, and write.

Six Steps For Essay Writing: Getting It Right

1. Read the question to find out exactly what it asks you to do.

2. Choose a point of view or decide how to answer the question.

3. Outline your essay. For creative writing topics, use the topic given as the first sentence of your essay. Then write a descriptive story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. For all other essays, you will probably want four paragraphs: an introduction, two paragraphs for two supporting ideas or illustrations, and a conclusion.

4. Write the essay.

5. Proofread. Correct errors in punctuation, spelling, grammar, and word choice.

6. If needed, make phrasing changes as neatly as possible.

Now let's try these steps on a couple of sample topics:

Topic: Every student should be required to complete 60 hours of community service during his or her high school years. Do you agree or disagree?

1. This question is asking you to choose sides, then support your position.

2. You must now decide whether you want to write in favor or in opposition. Choose the side that you will find easier to defend with strong examples; which side you choose does not matter. The question is not really seeking your opinion. For this exercise, let's disagree.

3. Introduction: Community service should not be compulsory.

Point 1: Involuntary activities are never performed well.

A. Beneficiaries suffer from half-hearted service.

B. Student is resentful and gains no satisfaction.

Point 2: Teenagers must learn to arrange priorities and manage their time for their own benefit.

A. Some poor students cannot afford to give up so much study time.

B. Many beneficial extracurricular activities compete for precious time.

C. Some students must hold part-time jobs to help their families.

Conclusion: Community service should be encouraged, not be compulsory.

5. Proofread. Ask yourself these questions:

- Does each paragraph have a topic sentence? Is the topic sentence well developed within the paragraph?

- Is my language colorful and descriptive? Have I varied my sentence

- Do I make a convincing argument for my position?

- How is my spelling? Is my punctuation correct? What about my grammar?

6. Refine the essay if necessary. Remember: Neatness counts.

Tips for Writing Excellent Essays for the SSAT and ISEE exams

SSAT Essay Samples

• What Is the SSAT Writing Sample?
• SSAT Essay Writing Sample 1
• SSAT Essay Writing Sample 2
• A Well-written SSAT Essay Example
• SSAT Writing: Example of A Well-written Essay

SSAT Essay Prompts

• SSAT Essay Prompt 1
• SSAT Essay Prompt 2
• SSAT Essay Prompt 3
• Test Structure
• SSAT Verbal
• SSAT Synonyms
• SSAT Analogies
• SSAT Reading
• SSAT Writing
• Essay Samples
• Essay Prompts
• ISEE Verbal
• ISEE Synonyms
• ISEE Sentence Completion
• ISEE Reading
• ISEE Quantitative Comparisons
• ISEE Mathematics Achievement
• ISEE Word Problems
• ISEE Writing
• SSAT&ISEE Downloads

* SSAT/ISEE is a registered trademark, which is not affiliated with this website or its practice material.

All content of site and practice tests copyright © 2016 Max. sitemap

home privacy copyright

contact link to us

SSAT Upper Level Practice Test

Prepare for your test with realistic questions.

The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) is a multiple-choice standardized exam used by many private, independent, and charter schools to screen their applicants. Students in grades 8-11 applying for high school admission will take the SSAT Upper Level test.

Click “Start Test” above to take a free SSAT Upper Level practice test, and check out our premium-quality SSAT test prep resources by clicking the links below!

SSAT Upper Level Practice Tests by Subject

If you need some extra practice in a specific subject, click one of the subjects below to get started on a subject-specific SSAT Upper Level practice test.

SSAT Upper Level Quantitative Practice Test SSAT Upper Level Verbal Practice Test

SSAT Upper Level Reading Practice Test

SSAT Upper Level Test Outline

The SSAT Upper Level test contains 166 questions and one essay, and you will be given 3 hours and 10 minutes (including breaks).

The test covers four main subjects and is split into eight parts.

1. Writing Sample

In this part, you will be given 25 minutes to write a short essay based on either a personal question or a creative story starter.

This essay will not be scored, but it will be used to help evaluate your writing abilities.

2. Break (10 minutes)

3. quantitative (math).

In this part, you will be given 30 minutes to answer 25 math-related questions, and you will not be able to use a calculator at any time.

The questions in this part assess your knowledge of arithmetic, elementary algebra, geometry, and other concepts.

4. Reading Comprehension

In this part, which is timed at 40 minutes, you will be given multiple reading passages that are 250-350 words each. You will then be asked to answer questions about each passage. These questions assess your ability to make inferences, locate details, make predictions, determine the author’s purpose and point of view, and recognize the main idea.

5. Break (10 minutes) 6. Verbal

In this part, you will have 30 minutes to identify synonyms and interpret analogies. There are 30 synonyms to identify and 30 analogies to interpret.

These questions assess your ability to logically relate ideas to each other and your vocabulary strength.

7. Quantitative (Math)

This part is a continuation of part 3. You will have 30 minutes to answer 25 more questions related to math, and you will not have access to a calculator.

8. Experimental

In this part, you will be given 15 minutes to answer 16 experimental questions, which will not count toward your score. These are questions that are being tested to see if they are good enough to use as scored questions on future versions of the test.

The questions are split into the following subjects:

• Verbal: 6 questions
• Reading: 5 questions
• Quantitative: 5 questions

SSAT Upper Level Study Guide

Get practice questions, video tutorials, and detailed study lessons

SSAT Upper Level Registration

To register for the test, you will need to make an account online via the SSAT website. From there, you can select which testing method works best for you and pay the applicable testing fee.

There are three main testing methods to choose from:

Paper-and-pencil

This traditional version of the test is available to take in two different ways: standard and Flex.

A computer-based version of the test is available to take at Prometric testing centers across the US and Canada. Prometric testing requirements will apply, including what you are allowed to bring to the testing center.

An online version of the test is available if testing at home is best for you. It is important to note that there are many strict guidelines that apply to at-home testing, so you should ensure you can meet those guidelines before committing to this version of the test.

How the SSAT Upper Level Test is Scored

On the Upper Level SSAT, you earn one point for every question you answer correctly, and only one-quarter of a point is deducted for each question you answer incorrectly. There is no penalty for skipping questions.

The total scaled score range is 1500 to 2400. On your score report, you will see your final overall score, your percentile, and your individual scores for each subject on the test.

Retaking the SSAT Upper Level Test

You are welcome to take the test as many times as you wish. You will need to pay the testing fee for each retake.

SSAT Upper Level Test Prep Course

If you want to be fully prepared, we also offer an online SSAT Upper Level Prep Course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The SSAT Course includes:

• Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
• 750+ SSAT Practice Questions
• Over 150 Video Tutorials
• More than 200 Electronic Flashcards
• Money-back Guarantee
• Free Mobile Access

SSAT Upper Level Flashcards

Get complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts

How many questions are on the SSAT Upper Level test?

There are 166 questions and one essay on the test.

How long is the SSAT Upper Level test?

The time limit for the test is 3 hours and 10 minutes, which includes all scheduled breaks.

What is the passing score for the SSAT Upper Level test?

Any score higher than 1840 is considered to be a good score.

How much does the SSAT Upper Level test cost?

The testing fee varies depending on your testing method of choice.

By Peter Rench

Peter Rench joined Mometrix in 2009 and serves as Vice President of Product Development, responsible for overseeing all new product development and quality improvements. Mr. Rench, a National Merit Scholar, graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in mathematics from Texas A&M University.

SSAT Test – Home

by Mometrix Test Preparation | Last Updated: August 9, 2024

On this page:

• What is the ISEE?
• The Week Before the ISEE
• The ISEE vs. the SSAT
• The ISEE: Reading Comprehension
• The ISEE: Quantitative Comparisons
• The ISEE: Sentence Completions
• ISEE Reading Comprehension Practice Questions
• ISEE Quantitative Comparison Practice Questions
• ISEE Sentence Completion Practice Questions
• ISEE Prep Courses

The SSAT Essay: What to Expect

Introduction to the ssat essay.

• You’ll need to organize your thoughts quickly (you’ll have 25 minutes to write a complete essay).
• Your essay is limited to two pages.
• Essay topics will be easy to grasp.
• What you say is more important than using perfect grammar.
• Your essay will not be graded.

The Golden Rule of essay writing is to stick to the topic . All you need to do is stay on course and write clearly, giving examples to support your points. Whether a question is academic or creative, there should always be a beginning or introduction, a middle (body paragraphs), and a conclusion.

The Kaplan 4-Step Method for Writing

Step 1: brainstorm.

When you start to brainstorm for ideas, first think about the topic. With the sample topic, your thinking might go like this: I believe that people are rewarded for good deeds, not punished. Okay, what examples can I use to support this point of view? It’s important that you’re clear in your head about what your stance is before you start to organize your essay. Once you start to put your examples together, you don’t want to have to go back and figure out what you’re trying to show.

Step 2: Make an outline

Once you’ve decided on your topic or opinion, the next step is to write an outline. Come up with three examples to support your points or opinion. Next, decide the best order in which to present your examples. Is there a logical order to lay out your ideas? How do you want to start your essay? How do you want to end it? Make some notes on your scratch paper so when you start to write, you can glance at them to keep you on track and writing quickly. Even if you’re feeling rushed, don’t skip the Outlining step. Planning your essay will make the entire writing process easier and faster, and it will ensure that your writing is well organized. Remember, wear a watch on Test Day so you can keep a handle on your pacing.

Step 3: Write your essay

Now you have to write the essay. Follow your outline carefully, but be flexible. Maybe you’ll think of another great idea midway through your writing. Should you ignore it, or should you substitute it for the third example you had planned to include? If you think it’s better than what you originally came up with, go ahead and write about it instead. Just make sure that any deviation you make from your outline is in fact an improvement over the original idea.

Step 4: Proofread

Wrap up your writing five minutes before the end of your allotted time. Give your essay a good read-through, making sure you haven’t made any spelling mistakes, written any run-on sentences, or forgotten to capitalize a proper name. You won’t be able to make any huge changes at this point—after all, you only have a few minutes left—but you do want to make sure that you haven’t made any egregious errors.

Show, Not Tell

You might also like.

Call 1-800-KAP-TEST or email [email protected]

Prep for an Exam

MCAT Test Prep

LSAT Test Prep

GRE Test Prep

GMAT Test Prep

SAT Test Prep

ACT Test Prep

DAT Test Prep

NCLEX Test Prep

USMLE Test Prep

Courses by Location

NCLEX Locations

GRE Locations

SAT Locations

LSAT Locations

MCAT Locations

GMAT Locations

Useful Links

Kaplan Test Prep Contact Us Partner Solutions Work for Kaplan Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy CA Privacy Policy Trademark Directory

• Try it Free
• How It Works
• Testimonials
• Elementary Level
• Middle Level
• Upper Level
• Pricing for Schools
• Admissions Assist
• 1-on-1 Tutoring
• Admissions Coaching
• Admissions Classes
• Free Webinars

Upper Level Strategies

Techniques and tricks for mastering the ssat, #1 fend off discouragement.

The SSAT is not similar to a test you take in school. On an in-class exam, you are expected to know most or all of the information on the test because it has been taught. The SSAT is different. It is not a test of taught information in the same way. The Upper Level SSAT is made for students in grades 8 – 11 applying to private schools. So, if you are a 8th, 9th or 10th grader taking this test, understand it is made to also challenge students older than you. So please adjust your expectations. Do not think of the SSAT as similar to a test in school where you can work to get an ‘A.’ On the SSAT, you can get many questions wrong and still do well; you are compared to other students at your grade level. So tip #2 is: do not get discouraged because the SSAT is “too hard.” It is “too hard” for all students! Learn the strategies, apply them as well as you can, practice, practice, practice, and relax on test day knowing you have done what you can to succeed.

#2 THINK of the answer before READING answer choices.

On the verbal sections of the SSAT, when possible, it is important that you do not read answer choices before coming up with your own answer to each question. There are certainly exceptions; for example, there are questions in Reading Comprehension that say, “Which of the following…,” which require you to read answer choices first. But whenever possible, predict the answer before reading choices A, B, C, D, or E. There is more advice under each section type for how best to do this for synonyms, analogies, etc. Note: many wrong answer choices on the SSAT represent common mistakes and misconceptions, so many wrong answer choices may look tempting. Even if you misunderstand a question, you may find the answer choice you are thinking of among the answer choices. This is an important reason to avoid reading answer choices until absolutely necessary; they can mislead you!

#3 Learn SSAT strategies!

Whether it is with a tutor, with a family member, or with fellow students, learn SSAT strategies. Whether from this website or an SSAT prep book, learn the tips for how best to do each section of this test.

#4 Learn when to guess.

There is a penalty for wrong answers on the Upper (and Middle) Level SSAT. You earn 1 point for every correct answer, you lose ¼ of a point for every wrong answer, and no points are gained or lost for questions you don’t answer. Despite this wrong answer penalty, there is no mathematical benefit to skipping questions — you should feel free to guess on any question that you get to. But, if you’re running out of time and haven’t gotten to questions at that end of the section, there is no reason to hurry up and bubble answers for those unreached questions. If you’d like to see the full logic behind this, check out our article about the SSAT’s wrong answer penalty.

#5 Practice!

In addition to learning test-taking strategies, the best thing you can do is PRACTICE by completing timed practice test sections that reflect the structure and content of the official exam you will take. In addition to the practice tests we provide, we recommend purchasing the guide, Preparing and Applying, sold by the SSAT board. This guide has 2 Middle Level and 2 Upper Level exams. These practice tests are your most accurate representations of the real SSAT.

#6 Don’t cram!

Make sure you sleep well; not only the night before the exam but the night before that as well (so if the SSAT is on Saturday, go to bed early both Thursday and Friday nights).

Eat a good breakfast that includes some protein.

Do not drink caffeine the day of the test (unless you usually practiced for the SSAT on caffeine). We do not recommend that young people drink caffeine at all; however, the point is that you don’t want to be in a different state of mind on test day than you were while you were preparing for the SSAT. So don’t over-stimulate yourself with caffeine, sugar, or anything else to be alert on test day.

Do not practice for the SSAT the day before the exam. The SSAT is a long test and requires a lot of stamina! Do not overwork your mind the day before the test so that you are as fresh and energetic as possible. Don’t do too much homework that day; consider doing a reasonable (but not exhausting) amount of exercise or just relaxing.

Synonym Section Strategy:

There will be words you know well, words you sort of know, and words you don’t know at all. Your strategy is to first answer questions with words you know (and as you come across them, guess an answer for questions with words you don’t know at all). Then come back to the words you sort of know. Even if you find there are no words you know well, and you focus your time on making best guesses for words you sort of know, make sure you are able to spend the last few minutes of the section entering an answer for every question.

Note: you will also complete the Analogies within the Verbal section time.

Synonym Question Strategy:

Cover the answer choices and read the capitalized word. Can you think of a synonym (a word that means the same thing) for that word? If you can, then compare the word you came up with to the answer choices. Eliminate worst matches and pick the answer that best matches your synonym.

If you are not able to come up with specific word or synonym for the capitalized word, can you come up with a feeling or phrase to describe it? Is it positive or negative? Are any of its roots familiar to you? Can you think of a context in which you have heard the word? You will use anything you can come up with to help you pick the best answer choice.

For most analogy questions with two words such as, “puppy is to dog as,” you will make a sentence describing the relationship between the two main words, such as, “a puppy is a baby dog.” You then want to find this same relationship between two words in the answer choices, such as, “kitten is to cat;” “a kitten is a baby cat.”

Note: Order is important here. If an answer choice for “puppy is to dog as” were “pig is to piglet,” you should cross it off because the word order is wrong. Apply your relationship sentence: “a pig is a baby piglet.” That is false. Be careful of word order!

Some analogy questions have three main words, for example, “Broccoli is to vegetable as banana is to.” Here you again make a sentence expressing the relationship between the first two words: Broccoli is a kind of vegetable. So, banana is a kind of what? Find “fruit” in the answer choices!

The other type of analogy question to know about use relationships between sounds, spelling, or the rhyming of words (rather than the meaning of the words). Here are some examples written by Test Innovators:

1. Sound is to round (A) circle is to square (B) hat is to sombrero (C) pound is to kilogram (D) noise is to poise (E) pen is to pencil

2. Board is to bored as (A) coarse is to course (B) ocean is to sea (C) melt is to malt (D) disk is to desk (E) wand is to wound

3. Snooze is to ooze as (A) bold is to mold (B) stork is to bird (C) own is to clone (D) dark is to arc (E) smirk is to irk

Look at the correct answers to these questions (in bold). In question 1, in both the question and correct answer, the words are spelled the same except for one letter difference (and both sets rhyme, though not with each other). In question 2, board and bored are spelled differently but pronounced the same, just as coarse and course are spelled differently but pronounced the same. In question 3, snooze is spelled like the word ooze but with 2 more letters on the front, just as smirk is spelled like irk but with 2 extra letters on the front. You can see and practice easier versions of this type of analogy on our Upper Level practice tests.

The Upper-Level Reading Comprehension section comprises forty questions. This may be more than many students will have time to complete. While you do not want to spend too much time on any one passage or question, you also do not want to move too quickly. While a tutor or parent may be the best person to help you determine your best pace, keep in mind that you don’t want to hurry so quickly that you make lots of careless errors. While some students may need to quicken their pace, many students will actually perform better by spending more time on fewer questions. And remember, if you can eliminate at least one incorrect answer choice but are stumped by the others, it’s best to guess an answer and move on.

Questions Strategy:

Read each question; whenever possible, predict what you think the answer will be BEFORE reading answer choices. Then compare your guess to the answer choices; eliminate worst answers.

When you are asked what a word means in the context of the passage, go back to that place in the passage, reread, cover the word if necessary, and decide what it means in context. Use direction words and context clues to guide you.

When a question asks you to “infer,” it is asking you to make a guess or conclusion about something that may not have been stated clearly. If questions include the capitalized word EXCEPT, solve by determining whether each answer choice is true or false. Four choices should be T; the one F is your correct answer.

Calculators are not allowed; students may (and should!) write in the test booklet or on scratch paper.

Know that there may be math on this exam that you have not yet learned in school (after all, the Upper Level SSAT is taken by 8th through 11th graders). If you do not understand a question and can’t eliminate any answer options, skip the question and move on. If you sort of understand a question, don’t get stuck; make a note and come back to it if you have time. Otherwise, in the last few minutes of the section, make a guess for all questions for which you’ve eliminated at least one choice.

Word Problems Strategy:

Read the question and paraphrase to yourself what it is you need to find: what is the question asking? Underline the information most relevant (and/or cross out irrelevant information). Ask yourself, “can I solve this problem with estimation?” Very often in this section, you will not need to actually calculate and can eliminate wrong answers with good estimations. Make your best estimation of the correct answer, see if it is one of the answer choices, and cross off unreasonable answer choices. 

The above strategy is for quantitative word problems that you can understand. There may be many questions you do not understand well. For these, remember, DO NOT get stuck and waste too much time on questions you do not understand.

Beware: as in other sections of the SSAT, many wrong answer choices represent common mistakes. Be sure to read each question carefully, more than once. Even if you make a mistake in reading the question, know that you may find the (wrong) answer that you miscalculated among the answer choices.

Upper Level SSAT test-takers are given 25 minutes to respond to one of two prompts: a personal prompt or a general prompt.

Your official SSAT writing sample will not be graded but is sent to the admissions offices of the schools to which you apply.

Read each prompt carefully and decide which you prefer and think will be easier to answer. You can then organize what you plan to say before you begin writing.

Paper for outlining your writing sample will be provided at the official exam.

We recommend that you decide your main point (your thesis) and then outline your essay (we have provided some lines under “Notes.”) Your essay should have an introduction with your main point, 2-3 body paragraphs of evidence supporting your main point, and a summarizing conclusion. Decide what your supporting evidence paragraphs will be before you begin writing.

Remember to make sure your penmanship is readable. Stay within the margins of the answer sheets. If you wish to change something you have written, you may neatly strike through the words you want to “delete.” You are given two lined pages; however, you do not need to fill both pages.

If you have time, we recommend that you read over what you have written. Often when students write quickly, they make careless mistakes. Here are some helpful Test Innovators reminders:

• Check to make sure you have not left out any words.
• Look over your spelling. Are there any words that don’t look right to you?
• Have you capitalized words in odd places or forgot to capitalize proper nouns?
• Does your comma use look okay?
• Have you used complete sentences? Remember not to connect two full sentences with a comma.
• If you include dialogue, have you used quotation marks properly?
• Did you use the correct spelling of homophones such as there/their/they’re, your/you’re, and two/to/too?

Be your own editor, and good luck!

Looking for additional help on your essay? Receive guidance on your essay from an SSAT writing expert!

Choose Your Test

• Search Blogs By Category
• College Admissions
• AP and IB Exams
• GPA and Coursework

Where to Find Free SSAT Practice Tests: Complete Collection

Early Achievers (7th/8th Grade)

If you (or your child) are applying to a private or independent elementary, middle, or high school, you may have heard of the SSAT. Often used as an entrance exam, the SSAT is a series of standardized tests that can be administered to students in grades 3-11.

The SSAT , or Secondary School Admissions Test, is a standardized exam often given to students hoping to enter a private or independent elementary, middle, or high school. If you want to boost your chances of getting into one of these schools, working on SSAT practice tests is a great way to do it. Here, I’ll discuss where you can find these practice tests (both official and unofficial), and how you should use them. I’ll wrap up with important SSAT test-taking tips.

What’s on the SSAT?

There are three different levels of SSAT tests. The number and type of questions on the test will depend on students’ grade level:

• Elementary Level - For students applying to grades 4-5
• Middle Level - For students applying to grades 6-8
• High School Level - For students applying to grades 9-12

Although the content will vary based on level, you’ll find these sections on each of the tests:

• An unscored writing sample
• A quantitative/mathematics section
• A reading comprehension section
• A verbal section

Official SSAT Practice Tests

When it comes to preparing for any standardized test, official practice tests or sample questions are the gold standard for study material. Using real SSAT questions will help you better understand exactly what you should expect on test day.

Unfortunately, there aren’t a ton of official practice materials out there - not as many students prep for the SSAT as for other standardized tests (like the SAT or ACT). Here’s where you can find these official materials:

Sample Questions

The SSAT publishes official sample questions for each level of the exam. These are free, but the amount of material available is extremely limited:

• Elementary-level sample questions
• Middle-level sample questions
• Upper-level sample questions

The SSAT Official Guides

The makers of the SSAT publish official test prep guides that include sample questions and full-length practice tests. These are the best available sources for practice materials, as the other official resources don’t give students many problems to work with.  

To get your hands on the most recent Middle and Upper-Level Official Guides (2015-2016), you’ll have to purchase them through the SSAT website . These guides include two full-length practice tests, scoring instructions and explanations, descriptions of question types, and information about registering for the SSAT. Both the Upper and Middle-Level guides cost $37 through the site.

The most recent Elementary-Level Guides (2015-2016) are free to download through the SSAT site, although they include less information and less practice material than the guides available for purchase. They each include one half-length practice test, info on test format and question types, sample testing schedule, test day info, and preparation advice. There are separate guides available for students in Grade 3 and Grade 4.

How to Use Official SSAT Practice Tests and Questions

Because official practice problems are hard to come by, you’ll want to be careful with how you use them . Like I mentioned, using official SSAT tests is really important when it comes to getting a feel for different question types and overall test format.

I encourage you to save any full-length tests for mimicking real testing conditions. This means following through with all test policies and timing instructions in a controlled setting - it’s best if you can sit through an entire practice test all at once. This will give you the best idea of what your performance will be like on the actual exam.

As for the sampling of official SSAT questions provided on the website? These are great for question analysis. As part of your study plan, spend some time looking closely at these questions and thinking about what they’re asking and how they’re written (spend extra time on questions you get wrong). Official SSAT questions have their own style and logic (unofficial sources usually aren’t great at imitating these sorts of questions). If you notice you’re having difficulty with a certain question type, these sample questions will serve as great practice and review.

You don’t need to replicate exact testing conditions, but you’ll get the best practice experience if you treat full-length tests like the real thing.

Unofficial SSAT Practice Tests

Since there isn’t that much practice material for the SSAT, you may end up turning to unofficial sources for practice tests.

Ivy Global has free questions organized by level and section. They may be helpful for reviewing test content, but they shouldn’t be used to get a feel for actual SSAT questions and format - the style in which the questions are presented are pretty different from the actual test.  

The materials available for download are best used if you print them out and work on them by hand since the actual SSAT is done on paper, not on the computer.

Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors offers free Upper-level and Middle-level practice, with questions organized by skill type. These might serve well as supplemental material, but don’t expect them to look like official SSAT practice problems.

The questions on 4test.com aren’t particularly similar to what you’d see on the SSAT. You can only see one question at a time, and you can only work on them online.

Key SSAT Test Taking Tips

Now that you have access to all of this prep material, you may be wondering what to do with it. Follow these tips and strategies to get the most out of your SSAT prep .

Start With a Real Baseline

Start with a full SSAT test to get a baseline score. It’s important to use an official test for this, as unofficial diagnostic tests won’t give you a good sense of what the SSAT is like or what your strengths and weaknesses are.

You can’t get a valid baseline score without using one of those official SSAT practice tests.

Practice Skills and Review Content With Unofficial Materials Supplements

Once you have your baseline, analyze your mistakes and errors (link out) and focus on your weaknesses. Most serious weaknesses will be in content comprehension - use study materials like textbooks and notes to raise your scores.

Use Official SSATs as Full Practice Tests

After you’ve spent some time improving on your weaknesses, use official practice tests to test your knowledge and gain familiarity with test formatting. Take these exams under real testing conditions - time them properly and work in a quiet room with no distractions.

What’s Next?

The SSATs aren’t the only standardized tests out there for younger students. Read more about ACT Aspire and get your hands on official practice tests .  

Thinking about the future? Read about whether you should start prepping for the SAT/ACT in 7th or 8th grade.

Trending Now

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

ACT vs. SAT: Which Test Should You Take?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Get Your Free

Find Your Target SAT Score

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing

How to Improve Your Low SAT Score

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading and Writing

Find Your Target ACT Score

Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests

How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer

Get a 36 on ACT English

Get a 36 on ACT Math

Get a 36 on ACT Reading

Get a 36 on ACT Science

How to Improve Your Low ACT Score

Get a 24 on ACT English

Get a 24 on ACT Math

Get a 24 on ACT Reading

Get a 24 on ACT Science

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Francesca graduated magna cum laude from Harvard and scored in the 99th percentile on the SATs. She's worked with many students on SAT prep and college counseling, and loves helping students capitalize on their strengths.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

SSAT Upper Level Practice Test

If you need help studying for the SSAT Upper Level test or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place.

Click below to take a free SSAT Upper Level practice test!

Subject-Specific Practice Tests

If you need some extra practice in a specific subject, click one of the subjects below to get started on a subject-specific SSAT Upper Level practice test.

What’s on the SSAT Upper Level Test?

  The SSAT Upper Level test contains 136 questions and one essay. The good news is that the essay will not count toward your score! It’s just used to get an idea of your general writing abilities.

Let’s take a closer look at the two sections of the SSAT Upper Level test.

As mentioned earlier, the essay is unscored.

You’ll be tested on your ability to make inferences, determine tone and purpose, make predictions, recognize the main idea, and determine the meaning of words and phrases using context.

The synonym questions are very simple; all you have to do is identify synonyms of given words. For the analogy questions, you’ll be tested on your ability to make accurate comparisons between two things that are alike.

Here’s the breakdown of the topics covered in this section:

• Verbal: 6 questions
• Reading: 5 questions
• Quantitative: 5 questions

How to Register

To get started with the registration process, you’ll need to visit the SSAT website and make an account. Through your account, you can select which method of testing is best for you.

The testing fee will differ depending on which testing method you choose during registration:

SSAT Upper Level Study Guide and Flashcards

Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.

Test Scores

SSAT Upper Level scores range from 1500 to 2400, and the average score hovers around 2000. If you score above that, you’re doing better than average!

Usually, you’ll be able to see your SSAT scores two weeks after you’ve taken the test.

Retaking the Test

If you didn’t get the score you wanted on your first try, that’s okay! You can retake the test during the next available testing period.

Keep in mind that you will have to pay the full testing fee every time you retake the test.

Online SSAT Upper Level Prep Course

If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online SSAT Upper Level prep course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The SSAT Upper Level course includes:

• Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
• 750+ SSAT Upper Level Practice Questions
• More than 200 Digital Flashcards
• Over 150 Instructional Videos
• Money-back Guarantee
• Free Mobile Access

The SSAT Upper Level prep course is designed to help any learner get everything they need to prepare for their SSAT Upper Level exam. Click below to check it out!

How long is the SSAT Upper Level test?

The time limit for the test is 3 hours and 10 minutes (including the two breaks).

What is a good Upper Level SSAT score?

The average SSAT Upper Level score is about 2000.

How many questions are on the SSAT Upper Level test?

The test contains 166 questions and one essay.

How much does the SSAT Upper Level test cost?

The cost of the test depends on which testing method you choose.

Self-Assessment Modules

One of the most important parts of preparing for a test is determining which topics you need to brush up on as you study.

To get started with a self-assessment of your knowledge, click on one of the modules below!

• Intermediate Math
• Advanced Math
• Basic Algebra
• Intermediate Algebra
• Advanced Algebra
• Averages and Rounding
• Estimation and Sequences
• Fractions and Square Roots
• Comparison Math Questions
• Measurement
• Percents and Ratios
• Basic Grammar
• Intermediate Grammar
• Advanced Grammar
• Author’s Purpose
• Basic Reading Comprehension
• Intermediate Reading Comprehension
• Advanced Reading Comprehension
• Reading for the Main Idea
• Sentence Correction
• Sentence Flow
• Word Usage 1
• Word Usage 2
• Word Usage 3

• Group Class Schedule

The Ultimate Guide to Upper Level SSAT

What is the Upper Level SSAT? Who should take the SSAT?

If you are looking to elevate your education by applying to private/boarding high schools, and eventually, an elite university, you will first need to understand the SSAT.

The SSAT (Secondary School Admissions Test) is required for admissions into many private and boarding middle/high schools.

Why would you take the SSAT?

For schools that require the SSAT, your SSAT score demonstrates:

1. Your current academic level and performance compared to all other applicants from your region and grade. 2. If you can handle the rigor of the schools’ classes.

Generally, schools do not publicize their minimum SSAT scores required for admissions. However, the Tokyo Academics team knows that your SSAT score must be above the 90th percentile for admission into top private and boarding schools.

Set up a Free Consultation with one of our Admissions Consultants at Tokyo Academics and we will be happy to help address any questions or concerns you may have. 

How Tokyo Academics can prepare you for the SSAT

Ssat timeline.

A consistent schedule for studying is especially important for students studying at private/international schools abroad, as schools may not adequately prepare students for the SSAT.

A recommended schedule for a 7th-grade student looking to apply to private/boarding school for high school may look like:

We are more than happy to work with you to create a personalized study schedule. Please contact us to learn more about how we can support you.

Setting Goals

At Tokyo Academics, we will work with you to establish clear, achievable goals. While overarching goals, such as achieving a specific score on the SSAT are also important, setting smaller milestones is just as necessary.

Examples of smaller milestone goals may include:

• Scoring above 85% on the Quantitative (Math) section
• Getting through all of the reading passages in the Reading Comprehension section
• Getting all of the synonym questions correct in the Verbal section

We recommend starting your SSAT preparation 1 to 2 years in advance. Planning is better than cramming, so the earlier you start studying, the better your test-taking experience will be.

The best thing to do is to take a Mock Test to evaluate your current level.

Planning Backward from 8th grade

Common Pitfalls for Parents

We have compiled several pitfalls that we have seen students and parents fall into. 

          1. Parents don’t understand the timeline and students start studying for the SSAT too late.

Students who are looking to apply for private and/or boarding schools should begin studying for the SSAT two years in advance. If students start studying two years ahead of the admissions deadline, they are well on track to succeed. If they start studying 1 year in advance, it is already too late. 

For students hoping to enter a private/boarding high school for 9th grade, we recommend taking an SSAT summer intensive course during the summer between 7th and 8th grade to kickstart test preparation.

          2. Parents overwhelm students with too much and students start falling behind in school.

Another reason starting your test preparation earlier is so important is that students who learn test-taking strategies and good study habits earlier will do better in school. Simultaneously focusing on school grades and preparing for the SSAT is very difficult, especially without guidance. 

          3. Parents forget the importance of test preparation and students are not prepared.

Simply studying in school will not adequately prepare students for the SSAT. To excel on the SSAT, additional test preparation is necessary.

We recommend that students take Group Classes during the summer between 6th and 7th grade to ensure that their English and Math fundamental skills are on track.

If you are unsure of your current skill level, please contact us to schedule a Mock Test.

          4. Parents and students don’t understand how competitive the application process is . 

Applying to private and boarding schools is an incredibly competitive process. The top schools are extremely selective, and the number of applicants increases each year, while the number of students admitted often does not change . At Tokyo Academics, we understand the competition and will help you prepare for it.

          5. Parents are forcing students to apply to private/boarding schools. 

Students who end up applying to schools that they are not necessarily interested in will struggle during the application process, especially with their admissions essays. It is important that student and parental expectations are aligned, and that students have their own reasons as to why they wish to apply to private/boarding schools. 

SSAT Test-taking Strategies:

General strategy.

On the Upper Level SSAT, it’s better to aim to get answers right, rather than answering all the questions. This is because for each incorrect answer, there is a -0.25 point deduction. Make sure you have the right answers rather than all the answers. To find out more about other test-taking strategies, enroll in one of our SSAT courses.

At Tokyo Academics, we pride ourselves on our test-taking strategies. The effectiveness of our strategies is proven by our results.

SSAT Reading Comprehension Strategy:

Main idea question.

     Each year more than 100,000 high school graduates, with proven ability, do not enter college because they cannot afford it. And if we cannot educate today’s youth, what will we do in 1970 when elementary school enrollment will be 5 million greater than in 1960? 

     In many places, classrooms are overcrowded and curricula are outdated. Most of our qualified teachers are underpaid, and many of our paid teachers are unqualified. So we must give every child a place to sit and a teacher to learn from. Poverty must not be a bar to learning, and learning must offer an escape from poverty. 

     But more classrooms and more teachers are not enough. We must seek an educational system which grows in excellence as it grows in size. This means better training for our teachers. It means preparing youth to enjoy their hours of leisure as well as their hours of labor. It means exploring new techniques of teaching, to find new ways to stimulate the love of learning and the capacity for creation.

Question: What is the main idea of this passage?

          A) We must replace poor teachers with better ones.           B) Poverty is a serious problem in today’s society.           C) We must improve the educational system.           D) There are too many children in the educational system.           E) Teaching is a very difficult career. 

Step 1: Underline keywords/phrases 

Step 2: Use process of elimination to rule out incorrect answers, asking yourself why each is incorrect

Step 3: if you can’t rule out four, use keywords in the remaining answers to find evidence in the passage

Step 4: Rule out remaining answer(s).

          A. We must replace poor teachers with better ones.           This is wrong because replacing teachers is only one solution.

          B. Poverty is a serious problem in today’s society.           This is wrong because the main idea is about schools and education.

          C. We must improve the educational system.           This is a possible answer.

          D. There are too many children in the educational system.           This is an opinion and not reflected in the passage.

          E. Teaching is a very difficult career.            This is wrong because the main idea is about education in general, not teaching.

Correct Answer: C

Sentence in the passage that proves C is correct: Paragraph 3, Sentence 2

“We must seek an educational system which grows in excellence as it grows in size. This means better training for our teachers.” 

Example SSAT Verbal Strategy:

Determine the relationship between words.

Step 1: Block out the answer choices, either mentally or with your hand.  Step 2: Come up with one or two sentences that describe the relationship in question.

Ravioli is to dumpling as …           A) Taco is to shell           B) Rice is to soup           C) Chocolate is to cake           D) Mint is to lollipop           E) Spaghetti is to noodle

Solution In this case:           1. A ravioli is a type of dumpling           2. One type of dumpling is a ravioli

Repeat with the answer choices:

          A) Taco is a type of shell           B) Rice is a type of soup           C) A cake is a type of chocolate           D) Mint is a type of lollipop           E) Spaghetti is a type of noodle 

Correct Answer: E

Example SSAT Math Strategy:

The 3gs for word problems.

The 3Gs are the given , goal , the game .      The given: what numbers are provided in the question      The goal: what we are trying to solve      The game: the math we need to use

Example Question:

A truck is carrying 2400 bags of beans. There are three types of beans: pinto beans, navy beans, and black beans in a ratio of 7:3:2. Find the number of bags for each type of bean.

Solution      The given: 2400 bags of beans, 3 types of beans, ratio 7:3:2      The goal: the number of bags for each type of bean      The game: this is a ratio question

By breaking down the question into three parts, we have now streamlined our way to the solution of the question. We know our starting point, our path, and our end goal.

SSAT Essay Strategy:

The goal of your essay should be to appeal to the schools you are applying to..

First and foremost, your essay must:

• Address the prompt and take a stance 
• Be interesting .

Schools read plenty of essays and applications each year, so your essay must be able to stand out from the crowd. 

Your essay should showcase who you are as a person and how unique you are ‘through a story,’ using the prompt as a guideline. 

Although the SSAT essay is important, your admissions essay is a major component of your application. One of our experienced Admissions Essay Counselors would love to work with you to perfect your admissions essay.         

Learn more about these strategies and how to master them by enrolling in one of our classes/working with one of our esteemed/experienced/elite tutors at Tokyo Academics . 

Click here for more information about SSAT tutoring . 

Click here for more information about Essay Counseling at Tokyo Academics.

Set up a Free Consultation with one of our Admis sions Consultants at Tokyo Academics and we will be happy to help address any questions or concerns you may have. 

The Upper Level SSAT Test Format

SSAT Scoring

On your Score Report, you will see three types of scoring: your raw score, your scaled score, and your percentile score.

Scaled Score Range Your raw score is converted into a scaled score to account for the differences in difficulty between tests.

Percentile Score

According to the SSAT official website, SSAT percentiles range from 1-99. This means your scaled score was equal to or higher than the percentage of other test takers.

For example, if you score in the 50th percentile, it means that your score was equal to or higher than 50% of the other test takers in your grade.

Taking the SSAT

Tokyo Academics has successfully helped students earn acceptance to their dream schools. Click here for a list of some of our admissions outcomes.  Here’s how you can get started:

          1 – Meet with our team           Complete our contact form , and our team of advisors will review your inquiry and schedule a phone call or follow up via email to learn more about your needs and determine the perfect plan for you.

          2 – Attend your first free lesson           We’ll pair you with the perfect tutor based on your goals and what you’d like to accomplish. 

          3 – Enroll in our Group Classes and Private Lessons            After experiencing our tutoring firsthand, we’ll provide a comprehensive course of action to help you succeed.

          4 – Track your score and plan backward from admissions deadlines           Lastly, we’ll work with your schedule to provide flexible and convenient tutoring with our expert tutors. Whether it’s private instruction, group classes, or even English language support, we’ll create a schedule that maximizes your learning potential.

          5 – Work with a Tokyo Academics Admissions Consultant            You may first sign up for a free consultation to discuss your questions and/or concerns about the SSAT and application process. 

          6 – Work with a Tokyo Academics Admissions Essay Counselor           You may first sign up for a free 1-hour consultation to get an understanding of our services. 

We have seen students struggle during their application process due to a number of reasons. At Tokyo Academics, we work to ensure that our students are prepared to tackle their school grades, their applications, and their SSAT test preparation. 

Still have questions about the SSAT and/or the application process?

We look forward to supporting you on your journey to becoming admitted into your dream school!

2024 FALL CLASSES are now open! These classes offer guided test preparation and grade reinforcement. With expert tutors leading focused sessions, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of key concepts, improve your test-taking skills, and maintain a steady academic trajectory.

Enroll today and transform your academic journey! 

Upper Level SSAT Practice Tests

Free in-person & online upper level ssat practice tests.

Every student’s first Upper Level SSAT is free of charge. Use coupon code FreeSSAT during checkout. You are also welcome to call us at 203.352.3500 to register for a free test.

The SSAT is a standardized test requirement used by many private and boarding schools for admission. For many students, this is their first experience with standardized testing. Click here to learn more about the SSAT format .

Students often begin their test prep process by taking a free practice test. All practice SSATs include our comprehensive score report, which allows for highly-targeted analysis of a student’s strengths and weaknesses. After receiving a score report, families have the opportunity for a free consultation with one of our academic advisors.

We offer in-person practice SSATs in a classroom environment that simulates the actual test day. If you prefer more flexibility, we provide video-proctored, online practice tests.

IMPORTANT – Practice Test Policies and Procedures: 

• For more information about test day safety, please see our In-Person Safety Protocols
• Registration closes on Thursdays at 1pm.
• Please see our Practice Test Cancellation/Credit Policy .
• Participants are not permitted to bring their own test booklet to in-person practice tests.
• Students working with a Carnegie Prep SSAT tutor have access to our complete library of practice tests. These students may request an alternate test during the online checkout process and will receive discounted rates after their first free practice test.

Practice Tests

Date & time, standard time:, extended time:.

$ 50: For students working with a Carnegie Prep SAT/ACT tutor

$ 150: For students not working with a Carnegie Prep SAT/ACT tutor

Add New Student

Add A Student

Best of gold coast.

We are honored and proud to have won Best of Gold Coast again this year. This is our 16th award. Thank you to everyone who has voted for us throughout the years. We rely on word of mouth, so your support means everything to us!

Stay Updated

Join our newsletter.

• Course Locations
• Join Our Team
• Privacy Policy

Working with a Carnegie Prep SSAT Tutor?

Don’t forget to log into your Carnegie Prep account to access your exclusive practice test pricing! Log in here

Don't Show Again

Contact Us Today at (781) 248-4558

Ssat essay: here’s everything you need to know.

Posted on December 7th, 2022 by Allison . Posted in SAT Test Prep , SAT tutoring - 0 Comments

Although the  Upper Level SSAT essay is not scored, it is still important to do your very best, as it will be sent to the schools to which you are applying. Practicing ahead of time with some essay prompts is a good idea. The SSAT includes a 25-minute Writing Sample of one to two pages in length. Upper Level SSAT students will be asked to choose between writing a story and writing an essay in response to a question. The essay topics tend to be broad and varied. In some cases, you will be asked to take a side on an issue (in other words, you will be asked to write a persuasive essay). In some cases, you will be asked to offer a description or show cause and effect (in other words, you will be asked to write an informative essay).

Although the Writing Sample will not affect your SSAT score, admissions officers consider your Writing Sample an important component of your application. They will look for a strong writing style free from spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes. They will also try to get a sense of who you are as a person. With this in mind, choose subjects you would be comfortable talking about during an interview with a principal or admissions officer. Avoid overly dark, violent, or inappropriate subject matter.

The Upper Level SSAT Essay requires students to write either a short story or an essay in twenty-five minutes. The essay topics tend to be broad and varied. In some cases, you will be asked to take a side on an issue (in other words, you will be asked to write a persuasive essay). In some cases, you will be asked to offer a description or show cause and effect (in other words, you will be asked to write an expository essay). Two sentences will be provided, and students are asked to select the sentence they find most interesting and use it as the basis for an essay or a story.

SSAT Essay General Tips:

Make sure your writing appropriately responds to the topic. Does the essay topic require you to take a position on an issue (persuasive essay)? Does it ask you to show cause and effect (expository essay)? Does the topic ask you describe or characterize some subject or topic (expository essay)? Are you being asked to tell a story (creative writing)? If you are writing an essay, make sure you have a clear introductory paragraph, two or three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. If you are writing a story, make sure your short story has a clear beginning, middle, and end. Budget your time! Make sure to save time at the end to edit for spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Persuasive Essay Tips:

Persuasive writing requires you to argue for or against an idea; to take a side on an issue; to urge the reader to behave a certain way; or to urge the reader to agree to a certain position on an issue. Take a side. Don’t sit on the fence. Use concrete examples from history, literature, current events, or personal experience to support your position. Right before you conclude your essay, consider writing a counterargument: – In a counterargument, you present an opposing view and then show why it is not as strong as the view you have been presenting. – Imagine an intelligent skeptic reading your essay.

Creative Writing Tips:

Decide what point of view you will use and stick to it! Sometimes the point of view is established by the sentence provided: – First person uses “I”: “I couldn’t believe my eyes.” – Third person uses “he”, “she”, “it”, “they”: “He couldn’t believe his eyes.” Decide what tense you will use for your story and stick to it! Sometimes the tense is established by the sentence provided: – Past tense: I saw, I went, I did. – Present tense (rarer and more difficult to maintain): I see, I go, I do. Establish the setting of your story using vivid description involving sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound. In your first paragraph, establish the conflict. – Conflict is the problem, difficulty, or challenge facing the main character. Every story should have a clear beginning, middle, and end (in other words, rising action, climax, falling action, and conclusion).

Expository Writing:

If you are asked to define something, provide your definition or explanation and then support your definition or explanation with details or examples from history, literature, current events, or personal experience. If you are asked to offer a description, think of two or three important qualities that you would like to discuss. – Make sure you choose a subject about which you are familiar. – Be as detailed as possible. When writing to establish cause and effect, establish the cause, define the effects, and offer solutions or explanations for why this is so.

Essay Prompts

You have twenty-five minutes to complete each writing sample. Here’s a list of essay prompts with which to practice:

Schools would like to get to know you better through an essay or story using one of the two topics below. Please select a topic you find most interesting and fill in the circle next to the topic you choose.

Short Essay Topics: Topic: He would have to try again. Topic: It was the biggest challenge she would have to face.

Expository Essay Topics Topic: What three qualities define a good student? Topic: What is the most important issue facing the world today and what would you do to contribute to solving this issue?

Persuasive Essay Topics: Topic: Is it more important to learn from mistakes or successes? Topic: Which are more important, arts and music or sports and athletics?

Allison Green Boston Tutoring Services

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

• School Entrance Exams

SSAT Practice Test

• SSAT Writing

SSAT Writing Practice & Info

The SSAT Writing section is one of the four sections on the SSAT. Each student is required to write one essay, which is not scored. Continue reading to learn more about the SSAT Writing section.

View All SSAT Levels Here

About the SSAT Writing

Ssat writing prompts, elementary level, middle level, upper level, ssat writing tips.

The SSAT Writing section is not scored. On the SSAT Elementary Level, students are provided with one picture prompt and 15 minutes to complete the essay. The SSAT Middle* and Upper** Levels provides students with a choice of two written prompts and 25 minutes to write the essay.  *SSAT Middle Level is provided with a choice of two creative writing prompts **SSAT Upper Level is provided with a choice of one creative writing prompt and one essay prompt The SSAT Writing section provides students with the opportunity to express themselves. Though it is not graded, the SSAT essay is submitted to the admissions departments of the schools to which the students have applied. This allows admissions department to assess students’ writing skills. The essay is not included in the score report, unless it is purchased to be included in the student’s online score report (except for the Elementary SSAT essay, which cannot be purchased).

The SSAT essay prompts are written in a way that allows students to tell admissions departments more about themselves and their way of thinking. Students are provided with two pages to write their essays on.

Elementary SSAT Test takers are provided a prompt in the form of a picture. Students must write an essay based on the picture prompt and make sure that their writing sample is complete, with a beginning, middle, and end.

Both of the two Middle Level SSAT Writing prompts are creative. The response to the prompts must also be creative and make use of animated explanations. Students are expected to use grammar and vocabulary which conform to Standard English.

The Upper Level SSAT Writing section provides students a creative prompt and an essay prompt to choose from. If a student decides to respond to the creative prompt, the response must also be creative and make use of animated explanations. The creative prompt might be ambiguous and require the student for building the entire essay almost by himself or herself. If he or she responds to the essay prompt, the response must be supported by strong examples from the text. Back to top

Though the SSAT essay is not scored, it is still recommended that students write their essays as well as possible, as a copy of each students’ essay will be submitted to the schools selected during the SSAT registration process. Here are some helpful SSAT Writing tips to help your child produce the best work possible:

• Begin the essay with a sentence either similar or identical to the one provided in the prompt
• Write neatly in the space provided
• Use proper grammar and vocabulary, conforming to the rules of Standard English. Pay careful attention to the rules of capitalization and punctuation
• Stay on topic
• Be creative, when suitable
• Provide supportive information (statements, examples, etc.)
• Maintain a standard essay structure, with an introduction, a minimum of two paragraphs in the main body, and a clear conclusion. Make sure your conclusion is tied back to the prompt and that you did not deviate from it too much
• Stick to the expected word count of 350
• Some people find making a list or a draft with their ideas before writing the actual essay useful – try to see whether it facilitates your writing
• If you have enough time left, it is warmly recommended to go over your essay after you have finished writing and read it again to make sure the structure is logical and that you can easily understand the story
• Keep your mind clear and writing-focused. Simple steps that might help are organizing your work environment and eating a healthy snack before you start writing

Click here to find out more about the other sections of the SSAT Test!

Admission to gifted and talented programs as well as independent schools has become increasingly competitive. Even with a high score on the SSAT, acceptance is not guaranteed. The SSAT essay section can give your child an opportunity to stand out against other candidates who may have the same score, and in that sense, be equally qualified. Help your child succeed by making sure he or she is properly prepared for all sections of the test, including this one. TestPrep-Online currently offers a collection of Upper Level SSAT Practice Packs, and will soon release two following packs for the Middle and Lower Levels. All our packs are designed to provide your child with the opportunity to improve and progress. Our goal is the same as yours: To get your child the score s/he deserves.

The SSAT and other trademarks are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of the trademark holders are affiliated with TestPrep-Online or this website.

Back to top

Related Links

• SAT BootCamp
• SAT MasterClass
• SAT Private Tutoring
• SAT Proctored Practice Test
• ACT Private Tutoring
• Academic Subjects
• College Essay Workshop
• Academic Writing Workshop
• AP English FRQ BootCamp
• 1:1 College Essay Help
• Online Instruction
• Free Resources

Your Complete Guide to the SSAT for 2024

Bonus Material: PrepMaven’s FREE SSAT Guide

The Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT) is an important part of secondary school applications. If you’re applying to private school in the U.S., you’ll likely submit SSAT scores when doing so.

The SSAT is a challenging standardized test for many reasons. That’s why we created this post — so that you can have confidence at every step of the SSAT test-taking journey, from wrapping your head around what the test is all about to actually taking it.

In this guide to the SSAT, you’ll learn the basics about the test, how to prepare, and what to expect on Test Day.

We also give readers access to PrepMaven’s SSAT Guidebook, which includes all of the information in this post and much more. It’s absolutely free and you can grab it below!

Bonus Material: PrepMaven’s SSAT Guidebook

• Details about SSAT scoring, content, testing options, and more
• An introduction to PrepMaven’s SSAT strategies
• Information about SSAT prep resources
• Application essentials for the top U.S. private high schools

Click here to download a copy of our digital guide!

Here’s what we cover:

What is the SSAT and Who Needs to Take It?

• The Sections of the SSAT
• SSAT Scoring  
• When To Start SSAT Test Prep

SSAT Prep Resources

• Your SSAT Study Plan
• When to Take the Test

The Character Skills Snapshot

• SSAT Testing Accommodations
• Next Steps: The Ultimate SSAT Guide

1) SSAT Basics

The SSAT is one component of most secondary school applications. It is a standardized test focused on the following skills:

The Enrollment Management Association (EMA) administers the SSAT at three levels:*

• Elementary Level for students in grades 3 and 4
• Middle Level for students in grades 5-8 
• Upper Level for students in grades 8-11 

*Students take the test that corresponds to the grade they are currently in , not the grade they are entering. The three different SSAT levels are designed to test material appropriate for each student’s respective grade level.  

According to the EMA, “the SSAT is not an achievement test or a measurement of personal characteristics. It is one component of a complete application.” It is written and reviewed by independent school educators and content and testing experts.

Most students applying to U.S. private schools must submit SSAT scores as part of their application. However, schools are likely to place different emphases on SSAT scores in the admissions process .

• What’s on the SSAT?

No matter which level SSAT test you take, the sections are always the same: a Writing Sample section and Quantitative, Reading, and Verbal multiple-choice sections. 

Here is a birds-eye view of the Upper-Level SSAT’s structure and timing:

You can find a detailed breakdown of each section of the SSAT in our What’s on the SSAT? post . For now, here are the highlights for each!

SSAT Writing Sample

This section is unscored but sent to admission departments for review. It helps give admission officers a sense of a student’s writing abilities. Upper-Level SSAT test-takers will have the choice of writing a persuasive essay or creative story in 25 minutes based off of two prompts.

Here are two sample persuasive prompts typical of an Upper Level SSAT writing sample:

• What does it mean to be a “well-rounded” student?
• What is, in your opinion, the most pressing social issue today? How would you resolve it?

Here are two sample creative prompts:

• She could not believe her eyes.
• They knew it was time to turn back.

You can learn more about the SSAT Writing Sample–and get access to free SSAT Writing Sample prompts–in this post here .

SSAT Quantitative 1 & 2

The SSAT features multiple-choice questions that span a range of math topics. Questions are designed to be solved without a calculator (students are not allowed to use one).

In its official online practice portal, the SSAT provides a list of topic categories for practice. These are a good indication of the topics that will surface on the actual test.

Upper-Level: 

• Computation
• Number Sense
• Pre-Algebra
• Statistics and Probability

Middle-Level: 

• Algebra 
• Data Analysis
• Measurement
• Number Concepts
• Number Conversion
• Statistics & Probability 

Want more information about SSAT Quantitative? Check out our detailed post on SSAT Math and what to expect.

SSAT Reading

There are approximately 8 SSAT reading passages. Each is about 250-350 words in length, and there are generally 4-6 questions per passage. About half of the passages are narrative and half are argument-based. 

Passage genres include: 

• Literary fiction 
• Humanities (biography, art, poetry) 
• Science (anthropology, astronomy, medicine) 
• Social studies (history, sociology, economics)

SSAT Reading questions test your reading comprehension on both a general and specific level . Question types include:

• Words in context
• Author’s purpose
• Author’s tone and attitude
• Evaluation of author’s attitude and opinions
• Evidence-based predictions

We discuss more in our Introduction to SSAT Reading and SSAT Reading Strategies from the Experts .

SSAT Verbal

The SSAT Verbal section contains 60 multiple-choice questions, divided into Synonyms and Analogies sections of 30 questions each.

In the Synonyms section, students must choose the answer that has the closest meaning to the capitalized word. Here is an example Synonyms question:

An analogy is a comparison of two things. On an SSAT Analogies question, these two things will have a very specific relationship. Students must determine what this relationship is, and select the answer choice that most closely features that same relationship. 

Here is a sample Analogies question:

Dive deeper into this section in our SSAT Verbal Introduction and SSAT Verbal Strategies from the Experts .

Experimental Section

This section is not scored and features questions from the different multiple-choice sections. It is intended to test the reliability of future SSAT questions.

Scoring on the SSAT

We demystify SSAT scoring in a separate post . For now, here are a few essential takeaways for students and parents new to the test.

1) Your SSAT score consists of 3 scored sections.

These include:

• Quantitative

There are 2 additional unscored sections: a Writing Sample and Experimental section. The Writing Sample is the first section of the SSAT, while the Experimental section is the last.

2) There is a wrong answer penalty on the SSAT.

On the SSAT, test-takers receive 1 point for every correct answer. If you leave a question entirely blank, you neither lose nor gain points. However, if you answer a question incorrectly, you lose a 1/4 point.

3) Students earn a percentile ranking for each SSAT section.

Your raw score is the number of questions you get right on a section minus 1/4 point for each incorrect answer. This raw score is converted to a scaled score between 500 and 800. Then this scaled score becomes a percentile ranging from 1 to 99. 

This percentile compares performance to that of first-time test-takers of the same grade/gender who have taken an SSAT on a standard test date in the U.S. / Canada in the past three years (not including this year). This group of test-takers is called the “norm group,” and this norm sample is unique for every SSAT the test-makers score.

Most schools have an average SSAT percentile that they consider in the admissions process. Many look at your percentile score when reviewing your application.

We want to point out that a 50th percentile score on an SSAT section isn’t a big red F for failure: it’s right in the middle of the pack! In technical terms, it is the median score within the designated norm group.

Here’s an example of percentiles in action:

If you scored in the 50th percentile overall, you performed better than 50% of the test-takers in the “norm group.” The same goes for the individual sections: if you ranked in the 70th percentile on the Verbal section, you performed better than 70% of students in the norm group on the Verbal section. 

Remember that scaled scores and percentiles are calculated based on data from a unique norm group. Because every test’s norm group is different, it is difficult to precisely pinpoint what raw/scaled score you need to get a certain percentile ranking! EMA actually admits this on SSAT.org:

“The same scaled score on the SSAT may have a different percentile rank from year to year or even from test to test, and the SSAT percentile ranks should not be compared to those of other standardized tests because each test is taken by a different group of students.”

Here’s an example. Let’s say that Darla is a rising 9th grader who has taken the SSAT twice to date. Here are her raw and scaled scores and percentile rankings for the SSAT Math section.

On the second test, Darla got twice as many questions incorrect as she got wrong on the first test. Yet this only translated to losing four percentile points. From another perspective, however, getting only two more questions right meant Darla broke the 90th percentile range on her first test.

Our conclusion?

Because percentile rankings are essentially out of a student’s control, the best bet is to focus on maximizing the raw score of each section . Doing so is the safest means of increasing a student’s likelihood of earning a higher percentile on each section. We also strongly encourage SSAT students to take the official SSAT several times, given that test difficulty is likely to fluctuate from exam to exam.

Your SSAT Score Report

Student scores become available on the SSAT website within two weeks of the test date. Log in to the student version of your SSAT account to view your scores.

When you do so, you will first see a score overview page that looks like this:

You may be wondering what the “T Scaled/V Scaled/Q Scaled/R Scaled” columns mean. These refer to a student’s scaled total SSAT score (T), Verbal score (V), Quantitative score (Q), and Reading score (R). Don’t worry about these too much, as scaled scores are mainly intermediaries to get to that percentile score, which schools are most focused on. 

There is a little more information we can get out of the SSAT score report.

Simply expand the menu and click “View Score Report.” This gives students their scaled scores, percentiles (“SSAT Reference Information”), and a listing of right, wrong, and unanswered questions in each section. 

This report also includes a brief breakdown of question types for each section (i.e., “Main Idea” vs “Higher Order” for Reading). 

What’s a “Good” SSAT Score?

If you score in the 50th percentile on any SSAT section, you will achieve the “median” SSAT score for that test. And if you score higher than the 50th percentile, you perform better than the median.

A good starting place for SSAT test-takers is to surpass the median SSAT score for each individual section.

But what counts as a “good” SSAT score? 

Our answer: it depends.

Each student’s talents, interests, and goals are entirely unique. What’s more, a “good” SSAT score is likely to fluctuate depending on the institution a student is applying to.

We can still make some general conclusions, however, to guide students in their SSAT test prep journey. Find our thoughts on a “good” SSAT score here .

Additional Resources

• PrepMaven’s SSAT Guide
• SSAT Score Release Dates and Services
• Scoring on the SSAT: Your Complete Guide for 2021
• What is a Good SSAT Score for 2021?
• How Important Are SSAT Scores to Private Schools?

2) Preparing for the SSAT

One of the most difficult things to figure out is how to actually prepare for the SSAT! In many cases, it’s the first standardized test students take in the context of school admissions.

The good news, however, is that the SSAT is a standardized test . This means that the content is predictable, even if it is unfamiliar and highly strategy-based. It also means that students can and should take the time to learn the test so they can walk into that Testing Center with confidence.

Effective SSAT prep boils down to the three following components:

These three things all help students master the three aspects of the SSAT that set it apart from other tests: duration, content, and strategy.

When Should I Start Preparing for the SSAT?

We encourage students to start preparing for the SSAT as soon as possible, yet in general, we suggest allocating at least three months prior to an official test date for adequate preparation. 

Yet a percentage of our students choose to start preparing 1+ years beforehand . Doing so can enable students to more effectively build vocabulary, prepare for tested material not covered in school, and develop skills specific to standardized testing.

While many students take the test only once, most of the students we work with will sit for the SSAT at least twice to maximize the potential for score increases. Some private schools also “superscore,” meaning that they review a student’s highest scores across multiple test dates.

Great resources for your SSAT prep can be difficult to find, especially as EMA has released a very limited supply of official practice materials.

We’ve compiled a full list of reputable SSAT prep resources we recommend our students utilize when preparing for this test. Here are the highlights:

1) Official SSAT Practice Online*

The Enrollment Management Association doesn’t release a ton of materials, but their Official SSAT Online Practice is ideal for students preparing for the Middle and/or Upper-Level SSAT. An SSAT Practice Online account includes 3 full-length practice tests, 15 section tests, quizzes, on-demand content, and more.

2) Official SSAT Guide Books*

If you’d rather work from a physical book, we recommend that students purchase an Official SSAT Guide Book (Middle or Upper Level). Each book includes 3 full-length practice tests with answers and explanations, which are exactly the same as those offered online through the SSAT Practice Online package.

3) Tutorverse Upper-Level SSAT Practice Questions

Tutorverse is a third-party test prep company, but that being said, we do find the practice questions in this text to be more reflective of SSAT questions than other materials. This book comes with more practice questions than 10 official SSAT tests, spanning all content areas on the SSAT (Verbal, Reading, Quantitative, and Writing).

4) Success on the Upper-Level SSAT Course Book

Students seeking a supplementary text to official SSAT or Tutorverse content should consider this text by Test Prep Works. It includes content instruction, suggested strategies, drills, practice questions, and one full-length practice test.

5) PrepMaven’s SSAT Prep Resources

We’ve compiled a wide variety of SSAT prep resources for our students and families, including valuable strategies, practice questions, and more.

• SSAT Verbal Strategies from the Experts
• SSAT Reading Strategies
• SSAT Writing Sample Strategies and Sample Prompts
• Tips for Mastering SSAT Vocabulary

Creating an SSAT Study Plan

As we’ve already mentioned, we encourage students to allocate at least three months for effective SSAT prep. How should you fill those three months? Create an SSAT study plan that aligns with your goals and timeline.

1) Identify Your Testing Date & Type

Begin by identifying the first official SSAT testing date and type. EMA now offers multiple testing options and dates, which can you learn more about in our post on SSAT Testing Options .

2) Take a Diagnostic Exam & Establish a Target Score

Taking a diagnostic SSAT effectively introduces students to those components that make this standardized test so different from standard exams: duration, content, and strategy.

It also establishes a baseline score for all sections, giving students a clearer sense of what stands between them and their target score. Diagnostic score reports can additionally highlight content areas for further work, essential strategies, and timing issues.

3) Determine Your Resources & Study Tools

Effective SSAT studying requires effective resources. Take the time prior to jumping into your prep to assemble the study tools guaranteed to give you success! We’ve already outlined SSAT prep resources available to students. Tutors or test prep experts can also be helpful, specifically to aid in strategy development.

4) Set Aside Weekly Time

Effective SSAT prep requires consistent time and effort. Treat your prep as you would any high school class, and devote weekly time to homework and practice. 

5) Take Regular SSAT Practice Tests

Regular practice tests give students the surest means of enforcing the strategies they’ve been developing on their own. It can also build physical and mental stamina – not to be underestimated on Test Day! We recommend taking a practice test every 3-4 weeks prior to your official test date.

6) Establish Consistent Goals

Your SSAT study plan should include realistic, specific, and actionable goals. Begin by setting a goal SSAT score after you’ve taken your first diagnostic exam. Then set smaller, individual goals throughout your practice to help you reach this goal score.

Here are some examples:

• Scoring 80% accuracy on all geometry questions on Quantitative 1 & 2
• Getting Synonym questions 1-10 100% correct
• Working through 80% of the Reading passages with high accuracy
• Creating an effective outline for an SSAT Writing Sample prompt
• SSAT Prep Resources: Your Guide
• Creating an Effective SSAT Study Plan
• SSAT Testing Options 2020-2021

3) Taking the SSAT

When Should I take the SSAT for the First Time?

Many SSAT test-takers will take the SSAT for the first time in September, several months before they submit applications to secondary schools. The September administration is the first in the academic year testing cycle.

However, students who wish to have more opportunities to take the SSAT may take their first official exam in June. 

While the vast majority of students take the test only once, most of the students we work with will sit for the SSAT at least twice to maximize the potential for score increases. Some private schools also “superscore,” meaning that they review a student’s highest scores across multiple test dates.

Historically, the standard SSAT has been offered eight times at testing centers per academic year (August 1 – July 31) in the following months:

Yet as of August 2020, there are three current SSAT testing options, which have dramatically increased the available SSAT testing dates:

• Computer-Based SSAT at Home
• Computer-Based SSAT at a Prometric Testing Center
• Paper-Based SSAT 

SSAT Flex Tests are also an option. Flex Tests occur on any date that is not a standard SSAT administration date. They can occur at member schools or special testing locations, called “educational consultants.”

There are a few reasons why a student may wish to take a Flex Test. They may:

• have testing accommodations that require a special testing situation
• prefer a non-traditional testing environment (i.e., small group or individual)
• be unable to sit for any of the standard SSAT test administration dates

Member schools are those secondary schools that provide on-site SSAT Flex Testing. Your schools of choice may or may not provide Flex Tests on their premises–we recommend calling to see if they do!

If your school(s) of choice do(es) not offer on-site SSAT Flex Testing, you can work with an educational consultant to register for a Flex Test at their approved SSAT Flex Test center. Educational consultants are approved professionals who provide on-site SSAT Flex Testing and, in many other cases, other admissions services.

Here’s what Learning Associates , an educational consultant that offers SSAT Flex Testing in Morristown, New Jersey, says about Flex Tests:

Learning Associates is an approved SSAT Flex Test center. This means we can administer the SSAT in our office on dates we establish, outside the prescribed test dates. Some clients prefer the Flex Test because of the very small setting and greater scheduling flexibility. If your child has accommodations approved by the SSATB, those will be incorporated in our testing. Appointments can be made through our office.

Students can only take one SSAT Flex Test per calendar year. Any other SSATs they sit for must be standard administration.

It can also be pretty confusing navigating the registration process for SSAT Flex Tests. We walk you through the ins and outs of this process in our detailed post on SSAT Flex Testing .

There’s more to the SSAT than just the test itself. Students have the option of taking the SSAT Character Skills Snapshot, an additional online assessment that is meant to give schools a “richer holistic view” of an applicant.

Here’s what SSAT.org says about the Snapshot on its website:

It measures your student’s view of his/her character skill development and is meant to complement more traditional cognitive assessments such as the SSAT. The Character Skills Snapshot gives admission teams additional information and illuminates areas where their schools can help your student grow, thrive, and shine. 

Also, according to SSAT.org, the SSAT Character Skills Snapshot tests a wide range of character traits, including (but not limited to) the following:

• Social Awareness
• Self-Control
• Openmindedness
• Intellectual engagement

This online assessment takes approximately twenty minutes to complete, and can be completed in one sitting at home. Students who are in grades 5 through 11 applying to grades 6-12 are eligible to take the Snapshot.

SSAT.org admits that the Snapshot may not be representative of the full scope of a student’s character:

The Snapshot is meant to provide a snapshot in time of your student’s view of his/her character skills – it is not a fixed, absolute measure.

While we agree that it’s pretty challenging to assess a person’s full character in twenty minutes, the Snapshot can provide potentially valuable information not otherwise able to be gleaned from other parts of an application.

You can check out the Character Skills Card for more details here , or read through our post on what to expect with the SSAT Character Skills Snapshot .

SSAT testing accommodations are designed to give every student a fair shot at demonstrating their academic potential on the test. According to the SSAT.org , testing accommodations are

“necessary practices and/or procedures which are intended to provide equitable access to the test for students with disabilities by limiting or eliminating the effects of a student’s disabilities on their performance.”

Students must fulfill two criteria for SSAT testing accommodations. They must:

• Have an “identified disabling condition or impairment”
• Be substantially limited by this condition or impairment in performing “major life activities”

We’ve written a lengthy pos t that walks families through the types of SSAT testing accommodations, how to request them, and other frequently asked questions.

• SSAT Character Skills Snapshot
• SSAT Flex Tests
• SSAT at Home

Navigating the SSAT can be challenging, especially for first-time test-takers. That’s why we created our free SSAT Guidebook for 2021, an excellent resource for families starting the secondary school admission process.

Work with an expert SSAT tutor in 202 4

In this SSAT Guide, we’ve walked you through the ins and outs of the SSAT, from what the test actually is to how to prepare for it. Now you have a great foundation for beginning your SSAT prep!

To accelerate that prep, we encourage students to turn to the ultimate guide: a PrepMaven SSAT tutor.

The SSAT is a very specific test that is unlike any middle school exam out there. Success on the SSAT often boils down to gaining a deep understanding of the test itself and following through with a methodical preparation plan, which requires time and expert guidance.

Working one-on-one with an SSAT tutor is the fastest and most effective way of preparing for the SSAT–and getting that much closer to a competitive score.

At PrepMaven, we’re here to match students with the very best tutors in the industry, many of whom are Ivy League graduates. Learn more about SSAT private tutoring with PrepMaven today!

Greg & Kevin

Greg and Kevin, Princeton graduates (and brothers) with over 20 years of education experience, are co-founders of PrepMaven and Princeton Tutoring. They apply research-backed problem-solving skills to the test prep and college preparation process. They also place a heavy emphasis on personal development, character, and service for successful college preparation.

Privacy Preference Center

Privacy preferences.

SSAT Tips and Advice

Which SSAT testing mode is the best fit for your child? What can you do now to help them do their best? Is it a good idea to guess? Our SSAT advice will help your family prepare, and visit Admission.org for more articles filled with private school application tips.

How to Get Your Best Score on the SSAT

The Importance of the SSAT Writing Sample

9 Essential SSAT Test-Taking Tips

Which SSAT Testing Method Should Your Child Take?

Guessing on the SSAT: Good or Bad?

6 Stress-Reducing Tips for Feeling Good About the SSAT

Understanding the SSAT: Test Options and Preparation Strategy

Practice for the SSAT.

The Official SSAT Practice Materials from the assessment team that creates the SSAT include Online Practice and Guide Books . Both have four full-length practice tests mirroring the SSAT experience. Get started with the free online Mini-Practice Test to identify where to focus studying.

Questions about SSAT test options, scores, and more?