As you can see, 2017 was a year of student perseverance and pushing boundaries. 25,315 students from over 100 different countries answered over three million practice questions. Impressively, they spent 118,029 hours taking practice tests, studying vocabulary, watching instructional videos, and working through question banks. To prepare for the written component of the test, students crafted personal essays, with most commonly used words including “people”, “learn”, “world” and “help”.
For the first time, Test Innovators started to measure grit and provide students with a grit score. This metric indicates student tenacity in goal pursuit, an attribute that schools are increasingly looking for in their admissions evaluations.
Most importantly, the effort expended by students throughout their practice resulted in measurably improved SSAT and ISEE scores.
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.
Across our platform, students exhibit statistically significant increases in test percentile after every practice test. We see that our students don’t just improve by using our platform, but they improve consistently over time, further reinforcing that practice makes perfect. Students who use the Test Innovators platform see a 20% increase...
With an important exam on the horizon, it is completely normal to feel some test anxiety. However, we have some great tips on how to reduce test anxiety and study effectively while you prepare to take the exam. Creating a focused study plan, practicing consistently, and building healthy habits will...
The experimental section is the shortest section of the test: only 15 minutes and 16 questions total. Unlike the other SSAT sections, the experimental section has a mix of question types: six verbal, five reading, and five quantitative. While you want to answer every question and try your hardest, don’t...
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!
In May 2025, Texas passed a new education bill launching school vouchers in 2026 through Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). Families may receive $10,000 per child to use toward private school tuition, tutoring, educational therapy, and more. With broad eligibility and limited spots, now is the time to explore school options,...
Reading Comprehension (RC) is about understanding what you are reading. You do not need outside information to do well on this section. You also do not need to be experienced in the topic of any given passage. Creativity may harm more than help. What you need to do is cover...
Most students can tell you all about their favorite subject in school. Some kids love reading and writing stories, while others are enthralled by a perfectly puzzling math question.
These individual preferences can often correlate with a child’s success on certain ISEE sections, but it’s essential to thoroughly assess a student’s...
If you took the SSAT really early in the year, you'll want to make sure you can use those scores to apply to schools this year. Or you may decide for any number of reasons not to apply this year at all. Can you use this year’s scores for next...
