You’ve done it! You’ve made it through 5 sections, 150 questions, one essay, and over two and a half hours of SSAT testing. You may feel ready to go home and take a well-deserved nap (or run around after sitting for so long), but before you breathe a deep sigh of relief, there’s one final section to complete.
The Experimental Section is the shortest section of the SSAT–only 15 minutes long with 16 questions total. Unlike the other SSAT sections, this one includes a mix of question types: six verbal, five reading, and five quantitative. While you should still answer every question and try your best, don’t let this section stress you out: it is not scored and will not be sent to schools.
So, if it’s not scored, why does the Experimental Section exist? Writing a test like the SSAT is complex, and test writers use this final section to try out new questions. The developers evaluate the results to determine whether each question is appropriate, fair, and reliable enough to appear on future versions of the test.
Once you finish these last 15 minutes, you can feel proud of both conquering a long and challenging exam and also contributing to the future of the SSAT.
Whether you’re an eager student or an anxious parent, we know just how intimidating applying to independent and private schools can be. Our Director of Placement, Laurie Geromini, sat down with two students who recently completed the process to learn more about their experiences, as well as the lessons and...
It’s easy to get anxious before a big test. Even when you’ve studied, practiced, and done everything you can to prepare, you might still feel nervous when you sit down to take it. That’s normal. Your nerves mean this test is important to you.
At Test Innovators, a big part of...
The Elementary Level SSAT has two levels: Elementary Grade 3 for current 3rd graders applying to 4th grade, and Elementary Grade 4 for current 4th graders applying to 5th grade. Both levels consist of the same sections: Quantitative (math), Reading, Verbal, Writing Sample, and Experimental. The Experimental Section, which is...
Start at least 6 months before your test date Not only are there a lot of words to learn, but giving yourself time to practice and use the SSAT vocabulary words you are learning will help their definitions stay with you.
The SSAT may seem daunting, but try not to worry too much. As long as you are prepared, you will be able to put your best foot forward on test day. No matter where you are in the process, our test prep tips are here to help!
The Middle Level SSAT is taken by students applying to grades 6-8. It consists of six sections: Writing Sample, Quantitative 1, Reading, Verbal, Quantitative 2, and Experimental. The Experimental Section is not scored; rather, it is used to test new questions for future SSAT forms.
Just as with any game or sport, knowing the rules of a standardized test is a cornerstone of success. Students who go into a test without any kind of preparation are at a significant disadvantage: they'll be figuring out those rules as the clock ticks. That's why Eastside Catholic School...
Students are required to learn mathematics, starting in first grade and continuing through most of high school. While we may not all enjoy math, there is no denying the beauty present in it. The Fibonacci sequence embodies this beauty.
We are excited to introduce Emillina, one of our 2020 scholars. Emillina’s hard work and self discipline allowed her to score in the 99th percentile overall.
