Time management is one of the keys to success on the ISEE/SSAT. Attempting timed sections can be less daunting with our simple time management strategy:
Answer Easy Questions First
The first time you go through a section, answer the easy questions: all the questions that you feel confident about answering. Skip difficult questions, flagging or making a note of them. In general, if a question takes longer than a minute to answer, consider skipping it.
Make Educated Guesses
After you have answered the easy questions, go back through the section and guess on the more difficult questions. Even if you are not sure of an answer, see if you can eliminate answers to improve your chance of guessing correctly. As you fill in these answers, double-check your answer sheet to make sure you are marking your answers correctly.
Use All Your Time
If you finish early, spend the rest of your time on that section checking your answers. On the other hand, if you are running short on time, focus on answering the questions that are easiest. It can take a few practice tests to figure out your time management balance!
Remember that improving and adjusting your time management comes through practice. You can learn to slow down or speed up as needed. Each practice test or timed section will get you closer to your goal!
The beauty of a multiple-choice test like the SSAT is that you can be sure the correct answer is there! On every question, even if you aren’t sure how to find the correct answer, see if there are answer choices you know are wrong. Eliminate these and then make an...
Everyone feels a little anxious from time to time. When you're preparing for an important exam, dealing with test anxiety can be a major challenge. Try out one of the exercises we've outlined to help keep you cool, calm, and collected before your next big test!
This year, some K-12 independent schools have made test scores an optional part of their applications. However, new at-home testing options for two of the most widely-used admissions exams, the ISEE and SSAT, have made testing feasible once again.
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.
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...
One of the most common mistakes on the SSAT is misreading a question, usually due to reading too quickly. Be sure to take a few extra seconds on every question to avoid careless errors.
Underline important information
Underline words and numbers indicating the quantities, relationships, and calculations (less than, twice, product, etc.)...
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more tests were moving to a computerized format, and now, at-home testing has become a feasible alternative. Some tests, such as the ISEE and SSAT, are available at home, but what is the alternative for the benchmark mock testing that is commonly administered...
As a general rule, we recommend starting your SSAT prep six to four months before your test date.
So if you are planning to take the test in November, then you should take a diagnostic practice test sometime between May and July.
The first thing to know for the Middle or Upper level SSAT is when to guess. You need to understand each question well enough to be able to cross off at least one answer choice. Otherwise, omit the question as there is a ¼ point guessing penalty.
