7 Prep Tips for the SSAT

If you’re taking the SSAT this year, you might just be starting your research on how to prepare for the test, or you might have already started preparing for it. No matter where you are in the process, our test prep tips are here to help!

1. Plan to take the test more than once.

We recommend planning to take the test at least two times. That way, if your first test doesn’t go quite as you’d hoped, you have another opportunity to test.

Elementary level students can take the SSAT up to two times. Middle and Upper level students can take the test up to three times on the computer and up to eight times on paper, including six Standard tests and two Flex tests.

If you haven’t signed up for the test yet, it’s not too late! Head to the EMA’s website to register.

2. Simulate test day with practice tests.

Taking full-length practice tests is the best way to prepare for the SSAT. Practice tests help you gain familiarity with the test’s content, style, and format, so there won’t be any surprises on test day. Additionally, because the SSAT is a long test, taking full-length practice tests will help you build stamina for test day.

The best way to take a practice test is to take a mock test. Simulating the testing environment with a live proctor will give you a chance to prepare for exactly what it will be like on test day.

3. Study in shorter, more frequent sessions.

Practicing for smaller amounts of time more frequently is much more effective than a few long practice sessions. Studying for 30 to 60 minutes per day, three to five days a week is better than cramming your practice into a large block of time just once a week. Practicing more frequently will help you retain content knowledge and strengthen your test-taking skills.

Depending on how close your test date is, one possible study schedule is to take one practice test every week or two and then complete additional practice in between.

4. Learn test-taking strategies.

Test-taking is a skill that can be learned and improved. The key is consistent, targeted practice. We offer SSAT prep classes to help students learn important strategies for every section of the test. Students will learn how to quickly and effectively eliminate wrong answer choices, what to do when encountering difficult questions, and more.

We also have a video course with over 60 instructional videos that teach test-taking strategies and skills. The videos cover overall test-taking strategies, as well as specific strategies for every section of the test.

5. Learn new vocabulary.

Studying vocabulary words is particularly beneficial for the Verbal section, but it will also help you on the Reading section and with your essay. You will want to learn as many new words as possible, as it is likely that you will encounter new words on the SSAT.

Just 15 minutes of practice each day can really help you improve. There are many different ways to study vocab, including flash cards, writing sentences with the vocabulary words, drawing pictures to illustrate the word, and using the vocab words in everyday conversation. Make sure to also study roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Knowing the parts of a word can help you figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.

6. Read, read, read.

The more you read, the better prepared you will be for all sections of the SSAT, especially the Reading and Verbal sections. Reading a variety of texts, such as newspaper articles, poetry, and other challenging materials, will help you improve your reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills.

7. Don’t worry too much about unfamiliar questions.

You may encounter questions on the SSAT that you are unfamiliar with, and that’s okay. It’s important to keep in mind that students from several different grade levels take the same test. For example, students applying to 9th grade take the same test as students applying to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade.

However, the test is scored based on your grade level, so you will only be compared to other people applying to the same grade as you.