All About The Character Skills Snapshot

Applying for a school that requires the Character Skills Snapshot for admissions? We have the 5 W’s (and the H) of the Character Skills Snapshot.

The Who

The Character Skills Snapshot (CSS) is a tool developed by The Enrollment Management Association, the same company that creates the SSAT. Students in grades 6 through 12 take the CSS for admission to participating independent schools. Check with your prospective schools to see if they require the CSS.

The What

The Character Skills Snapshot was developed from cognitive labs, user experience tests, focus groups, and thousands of pilot tests. The CSS assesses 7 different character skills through a series of 19 forced choice questions, and 10 situational judgement questions. Based on answer choices, the Snapshot will measure Intellectual Engagement, Open-mindedness, Initiative, Resilience, Self-control, Social Awareness, and Teamwork. 

Snapshot reports indicate to what degree a student is exhibiting each of the seven character skills, categorized as Emerging (starting to show signs of this skill), Developing (skill is present, but still developing), or Demonstrating (clear understanding and use of the skill). These levels are assigned according to how students’ answers compare to those of other students in their norm group. The four norm groups split students according to age (whether they are applying to grades 6-8 or grades 9-12) and gender.

The When

Students can take the Character Skills Snapshot one time per testing year. Results are released approximately twice a month and can be sent to an unlimited number of schools.

The Where

The Character Skills Snapshot is a fully online assessment, to be completed unproctored and in one sitting by students in the comfort of their homes or location of choice. Though it is untimed, it usually takes between 20 – 30 minutes to complete. Students registered to take the SSAT can complete the Snapshot for free, and students not registered for the SSAT pay $25. Results are accessible through the student’s SSAT account online at ssat.org.

The Why

Admissions tests like the SSAT and ISEE measure a student’s cognitive abilities. The Character Skills Snapshot seeks to give parents and school admissions departments a richer and more holistic view of a student. Measuring non-cognitive abilities is a new realm of assessment, but just as the EMA says, ‘character matters.’ Non-cognitive abilities are becoming increasingly important for schools, both to look for in the admissions process, and to nurture throughout students’ educations. These abilities are linked to academic success as well as work-life success. The EMA created the snapshot (aptly named to acknowledge the ebb and flow of character skills over time) in order to give schools a standardized tool to better understand students.

The How (to prepare)

Now that you have the information, how do you prepare? As you think about preparation, remember that the Snapshot is just one piece of your child’s application, and schools will be using it in conjunction with everything else they learn through interviews, exams, application essays, letters of recommendation, and so on.

So, what now?

Prepare for the Character Skills Snapshot by learning what to expect when your student logs in and signs the honesty statement.

Schedule a time for your student to sit down comfortably to complete the Snapshot. Remember that this is in no way a definitive measure of every bit of what defines a person. It is a representation of your student at a moment in time – a snapshot if you will. Though schools recognize this, you can still try to do it on a good day! Make sure you are relaxed, smiling, and have a positive outlook on the world. Bad score on a test in school? Can’t find your cat? Somehow manage to get a bag of oreos without ANY filling? Maybe take it on another day!

Be honest! You want the schools to know your student, so there is no sense in trying to pretend to be something else.

Breathe! It doesn’t need to be scary – look at it as an opportunity for your student to share a bit of themselves with the schools they are applying to, which is a rarity!

You can find the official information for the Character Skills Snapshot as defined by The Enrollment Management Association here.

Check out our webinar on the Character Skills Snapshot: