Meet Yuhao
Meet Yuhao
We are pleased to introduce you to Yuhao, one of our fantastic 2024 scholars! By remaining focused, Yuhao increased his score on the SSAT by 44 percentile points!
Yuhao has a special appreciation for subjects relating to science and history. He particularly enjoys learning about biology and environmental science, and he is equally passionate about world studies. “I know they’re not really related, but they’re like my favorite classes,” he said enthusiastically.
Outside of academics, Yuhao has a variety of creative and athletic interests. “I like to play sports, and I also like to make music by myself,” he said. He plays both guitar and piano and enjoys remixing music to create his own unique sound. In addition to his musical pursuits, Yuhao plays both tennis and basketball and plans to continue these sports at his new school.
Preparation
Preparing for the SSAT was a unique challenge for Yuhao because it was his first time taking a standardized test. His first testing experience was particularly challenging, as he flew from Iceland to Portugal to take the exam while on winter break. Because of these factors, “the first test didn’t go as well,” he said.
By the second test, Yuhao felt significantly more relaxed and prepared. He said that the resources available on the Test Innovators platform, specifically the practice tests, were helpful with growing his confidence before test day. He also noted that taking the computer-based test provided him with “enough time to review all [his] answers” before the end of each section.
If he were to prepare for the SSAT again, Yuhao said he’d try to give himself longer than one month to prepare. Balancing both his schoolwork and SSAT practice proved to be a challenge, especially within such limited time. “I feel like if I had more time to study for the SSAT, my results would have been better,” he concluded.
Advice for Students and Parents
Yuhao’s main piece of advice for future SSAT test-takers is to stay calm and focus on self-care leading up to the test. “Your score is…how it is. It won’t get better if you stress more about it,” he advised. Yuhao also encourages students to get plenty of quality sleep during the week leading up to their test.
Meichun, Yuhao’s mom, had advice for other parents as well. For families who may not be native English speakers and are unfamiliar with standardized tests like the SSAT, it’s important to find outside organizations like Test Innovators to assist with preparation. Meichun also stressed the importance of focusing on vocabulary, especially if your student’s first language isn’t English.
New School
Yuhao is now attending Detroit Country Day School in Detroit, Michigan as a 9th grader. He’s especially looking forward to exploring all of the available clubs, activities, and electives on campus!
Yuhao has worked hard to get where he is today, and we are incredibly proud of his accomplishments. We wish him the best of luck at Detroit Country Day School this year!
Test Innovators is Here to Help
Test Innovators is committed to helping students gain admission to their top-choice schools. We prepare students for the ISEE, SSAT, and HSPT, equipping them with the skills they need to perform their best on test day. Our practice platform offers a personalized experience, allowing students to focus on areas of improvement and achieve their target scores.
In addition to test preparation, Test Innovators supports students and families throughout the entire admissions process to independent and private schools. Our Admissions Assist courses provide step-by-step guidance, from researching schools to navigating waitlists, and everything in between.
