SSAT

Unscored Sections

In addition to its scored sections, the SSAT exam typically includes an unscored writing sample and experimental section. Schools may use the writing sample to assess students' writing level. The experimental section is used to test potential future SSAT questions.

Availability by Grade Level

Some SSAT formats are not available at certain levels.

Availability by Location

Most SSAT formats are available internationally, with some exceptions.

Exam Limits

Students may only take a certain number of exams in each SSAT format per testing year. A testing year starts August 1st and ends July 20th.

Overview

The quantitative section covers familiar basic math concepts with a few challenging ones mixed in.

Question Concepts

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  Number sense

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  Properties/operations

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  Algebra/functions

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  Geometry & spatial sense

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  Measurement

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  Probability

Expected Knowledge

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  Basic addition/subtraction/multiplication/division

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  Place value

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  Number ordering (greater or less than)

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  Fractions

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  Basic geometry (shapes & their attributes)

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  Basic measurement

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  Graph interpretation

Overview

The verbal section covers vocabulary and analogies. The Elementary SSAT focuses on vocabulary from a variety of grade-appropriate subjects including science, technology, and social studies.

Tested Knowledge

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  Language comprehension

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  Word relationships

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  Nuance in word meanings (including synonyms)

Categories of Analogies

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  Opposites (antonyms)

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  Different words with similar or identical meanings (synonyms)

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  Characteristics

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  Part-to-whole

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  Uses & users

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  Categories

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  Product-to-producer

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  Degrees

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  Similar sounding words with different meanings (homonyms)

Overview

The reading section includes seven short passages, with four multiple-choice questions following each. Passages may include prose, poetry, fiction, and non-fiction from a variety of sources and cultures.

Tested Skills

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  Locating information & meaning (via skimming and close reading)

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  Demonstrating literal, inferential, and evaluative comprehension

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  Understanding of key ideas and details

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  Determining main idea

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  Evaluating word and phrase meaning

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  Distinguishing literal and non-literal language

Overview

The writing sample consists of one prompt and is not scored. It provides students with an opportunity to express themselves by responding to a picture prompt. Students are asked to tell a story about the prompt image, including a beginning, middle, and end.

Overview

The experimental section is used to test the quality of potential future SSAT questions and is not scored. The content of this section includes mixed verbal, reading, and math prompts.

Overview

The writing sample requires students to write an essay, but is not scored. Results of the writing sample are sent to schools to help them evaluate students' writing abilities. They may choose to write based on either a creative story starter or personal question prompt.

Overview

There are two quantitative sections included in the exam. Each section lasts 30 minutes and features 25 questions. No calculator is allowed.

Tested Skills

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  Arithmetic problem solving

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  Elementary algebra

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  Geometry

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  Other concepts

Overview

The reading comprehension section requires students to answer questions based on a series of passages. Passages range from 250 to 350 words in length, and may either be narrative or argumentative.

Narrative passages are taken from novels, poems, short stories, or essays. Argumentative passages present a definite point of view about a subject. Questions are generally based on content or the author's style.

Passage Content

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  Literary fiction

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  Humanities (biography, art, poetry)

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  Science (anthropology, astronomy, medicine)

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  Social studies (history, sociology, economics)

Tested Skills

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  Recognizing main idea

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  Locating details

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  Making inferences

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  Deriving word and phrase meaning in context

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  Determining authorial purpose, attitude, and tone

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  Understanding & evaluating opinions/arguments

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  Making predictions based on information

Overview

The verbal section requires students to identify synonyms and interpret analogies. It consists of 30 synonym questions and 30 analogy questions. Synonym questions are intended to test vocabulary strength, while analogy questions emphasize logical reasoning.

Tested Skills

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  Identifying word similarities and relationships

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  Understanding synonyms and analogies

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  Vocabulary

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  Verbal reasoning

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  Logical relation of ideas

Overview

The experimental section is used to test the quality of potential future SSAT questions and is not scored.

There are a total of 16 questions in the experimental section, including 6 verbal, 5 reading, and 5 quantitative questions.

Overview

Students may choose between a personal or general question prompt. Writing samples are not scored, but are provided to schools to help them assess students' writing abilities.

Overview

There are two quantitative sections included in the exam. Each section lasts 30 minutes and features 25 questions. No calculator is allowed.

Tested Skills

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  Algebra

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  Geometry

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  Other quantitative concepts

Overview

The reading comprehension section requires students to answer questions based on a series of passages. Passages range from 250 to 350 words in length, and may either be narrative or argumentative.

Narrative passages are taken from novels, poems, short stories, or essays. Argumentative passages present a definite point of view about a subject. Questions are generally based on content or the author's style.

Passage Content

• ○

  Literary fiction

• ○

  Humanities (biography, art, poetry)

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  Science (anthropology, astronomy, medicine)

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  Social studies (history, sociology, economics)

Tested Skills

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  Recognizing main idea

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  Locating details

• ○

  Making inferences

• ○

  Deriving word and phrase meaning in context

• ○

  Determining authorial purpose, attitude, and tone

• ○

  Understanding & evaluating opinions/arguments

• ○

  Making predictions based on information

Overview

The verbal section requires students to identify synonyms and interpret analogies. It consists of 30 synonym questions and 30 analogy questions. Synonym questions are intended to test vocabulary strength, while analogy questions emphasize logical reasoning.

Tested Skills

• ○

  Identifying word similarities and relationships

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  Understanding synonyms and analogies

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  Vocabulary

• ○

  Verbal reasoning

• ○

  Logical relation of ideas

Overview

The experimental section is used to test the quality of potential future SSAT questions and is not scored.

There are a total of 16 questions in the experimental section, including 6 verbal, 5 reading, and 5 quantitative questions.