How Long Are My SSAT Scores Valid?

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 year’s admissions application?

Short answer: Your SSAT scores will only remain valid through the current testing year.
That means that you can’t use this year’s test scores for next year’s applications. Specifically, the testing year begins on August 1st and ends on July 31st, which is the date range that schools are going to want you to take the test in. For example, if you apply to schools in January 2022, your test scores from June 2020 will no longer be valid.

Long answer: You wouldn’t want to use your old scores anyway!
Even if we don’t take into account the fact that you might be applying for a middle school this year and a high school next year, you really do learn a lot after a full school year. That means that your scores from last year aren’t actually representative of what you know now. If you did well on the test last year, you will be more than capable of getting the same or better scores this year. And if your scores last year weren’t quite what you wanted, then you’ve learned a lot and can probably do a lot better this year!

When thinking about scheduling the test, make sure you’re taking the test in the same testing year as you’re applying. But if you’re ever unsure about whether or not you can use the scores you have, it’s best to check in with the admissions office at whichever schools you’re applying to.

Originally published on October 31, 2018. Updated on December 28, 2021.