Get resources: full-length SSAT practice tests, level-appropriate vocabulary lists, a watch for test day (and practice sections!), a quiet place to complete timed sections
Help students eat well, sleep well, and exercise often
Mentally:
Organize with your child: Connect students with a tutor or class (or you!) to:
When will they test?
How many new words can they commit to learning per week?
Will you help them study or quiz them?
When will they take diagnostic practice tests?
Emotionally:
Build confidence. Celebrate successes and assure them that with practice they can do their best.
Know that their happiness and success in life is actually NOT dependent on SSAT results. (If YOU are overly concerned they may become overly stressed which will NOT help them.)
Offer an “after-test-day” award as motivation; a treat not dependent on scores. This “Woohooo, you did it!”-award can be material or a celebratory activity you’ll do together.
While every student is different, the number one cause of test anxiety is not knowing what to expect. High-stakes exams like the ISEE, SSAT, SAT, and ACT are significantly different than in-school assessment tests that students regularly take, so the strategies for taking these tests are different too. This might...
One of the most common mistakes that students make on the SSAT and ISEE is not reading the directions and questions carefully. While the sentence instructions may seem self-explanatory, they actually provide important information about how to approach the questions in that section. At the beginning of every section of...
Performance anxiety in the office, in the classroom, or on stage isn’t any different than performance anxiety is for an athlete or an executive presenting to their clients. The setting may be different, but the loss of memory, potential to choke, or the failure to implement the strategies or techniques...
Yesterday Test Innovators' Director of Education Brenna O'Neill revealed the strategies and secrets she and her team of highly experienced tutors have developed over years of preparing students for the SSAT. You can view the recording below:
One of the most notable differences between the SAT and ACT is the length of the reading passages. On the SAT Reading and Writing section, each question has its own short passage, typically between 25 and 150 words. On the ACT Reading Test, students...
With an important exam on the horizon, it is completely normal to feel some test anxiety. However, we have some great tips on how to reduce test anxiety and study effectively while you prepare to take the exam. Creating a focused study plan, practicing consistently, and building healthy habits will...
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:
Summer break offers a unique opportunity for students to get ahead on ISEE and SSAT prep without the pressure of a busy school schedule. With more time and flexibility, students can build confidence, strengthen core skills, and reduce stress ahead of admissions season.
The SSAT score report is one component of the application process to independent schools. It is important to know how to send your score report to prospective schools so that you can make sure your scores arrive before the application deadline. There are a few different opportunities for you...
We are excited to introduce Iyad, one of our 2021 scholars. Through hard work and determination, Iyad increased his SSAT score by 66 percentile points!
