The SSAT is a very competitive test, and having a preparation plan is key to achieving the best scores that you are capable of. Here’s our favorite strategy:
1. Start by taking a full-length practice test in one sitting.
2. View your results to see your strengths and weaknesses.
3. Review questions and master concepts you missed with additional practice questions.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 until test success is achieved.
We highly recommend this iterative process – you’ll be surprised at how much of a difference it can make in the efficiency of your preparation!
We are pleased to introduce Ryan, one of our 2020 scholars. Ryan’s perseverance and dedication allowed him to increase his SSAT score by 51 percentile points, scoring in the 81st percentile overall.
Scott Duddy is the Director of Admissions & Enrollment Management at Dexter Southfield School in Brookline, Massachusetts, and brings with him 14 years of professional experience in the world of independent schools.
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.)...
The SSAT may seem daunting, but try not to worry too much. As long as you are prepared, you will be able to put your best foot forward on test day. No matter where you are in the process, our test prep tips are here to help!
We are pleased to introduce Esther, one of our 2024 scholars. Through hard work and dedication, Esther increased her ISEE score by over 26 percentile points!
For the first section of the SSAT, you will have 25 minutes to produce a sample of your best writing. For the writing sample, you will choose from two prompts: one is a creative prompt in the form of a partial sentence.
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.
