Can I Retake the SSAT?
Even the most prepared test takers can have an off day. Whether you slept poorly, ran out of your favorite cereal, or kept breaking your pencil, sometimes we’re unavoidably thrown off our game. It can be tough to walk out of an exam knowing that, after months of practice, you could have done better.
If you’ve experienced this, you’re not alone. But the good news is you can take the SSAT more than once!
The SSAT is offered on six Saturdays during the testing season (October through March), and students can take the test on any or all of those dates.
In addition to each of these set dates, students can take one flex test. Flex tests are offered on a day other than one of the six official testing Saturdays and are usually hosted by a school or consultant.
Students can also take up to two computer-based tests per testing season, either at home or at a Prometric testing center.
This amounts to a total of nine opportunities to take the SSAT!
Before registering for an SSAT test date, you’ll want to double check the application deadlines of the schools you’re applying to. While you can take the SSAT in June, most application deadlines are much earlier.
For many students, simply knowing there will be an opportunity to retake the test can alleviate some test anxiety and lead to better performance. With this in mind, many people will register for the test early in the testing season (September or October), secure in the knowledge they can retake in December or January with time to spare before application deadlines. Remember, you can always add your score recipients after receiving your test scores and choose which scores you want to send.
Before your next test, it’s important to spend some time honing your skills so that you can improve your score. Create a test prep study plan to stay on track toward your score goals. Even if your test date is right around the corner, taking a practice test and reviewing your weakest areas can have a big impact.
The day before your test can be stressful, so remember to prepare yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally. Check out our 5 Tips for a Perfect Exam Day to ensure your test day goes smoothly. Remember to go to bed early the night before, make time for a healthy breakfast to keep your energy up, avoid last minute cramming, and, of course, believe in yourself!
Achieve your SSAT score goals by getting started with your personalized SSAT prep plan today!
Originally published on January 2, 2019. Updated on January 15, 2025.
