What kind of questions are on the SSAT?
What’s on the SSAT? Quantitative (Math): Composed of math computation. Verbal: Vocabulary and analogy questions. Reading: Reading passages. Writing Sample: The writing sample is not scored, but schools use it to assess writing skills. Experimental: Mixed content questions (verbal, reading, and math).
How many students take the SSAT each year?
70,000+ students take the SSAT each year. The SSAT is written and reviewed by independent school educators and content and testing experts. Every question goes through a rigorous standardized process of validation.
What time does the SSAT test start?
Testing usually begins at 9:00 AM, and applicants are required to be there at least 30 minutes before testing begins. There is also an SSAT Flex Test, which allows an applicant to take the test on a date other than one of the eight scheduled tests.
How many sections are there on the SSAT?
1) Your total SSAT score is comprised of 3 scored sections. So, on an Upper-Level SSAT score report, students will technically receive four sets of scaled scores: There are 2 additional unscored sections: a Writing Sample and Experimental section. The Writing Sample is the first section of the SSAT, while the Experimental section is the last.
Is a 2100 on SSAT good?
Q: What is considered a high SSAT score? A: The median total score for the Upper Level SSAT has been reported at approximately 1980 (out of 2400). A score of 2100 is in the top quartile of all test-takers, while scores of 2180 and 2240 are in the top 10% and top 5%, respectively.
What is a perfect score on the SSAT?
For the Upper Level SSAT, you can score similar to the older SAT standard: 2400 (for the entire exam). For each section, the highest possible score is an 800. The lowest number on the scale is 500. So, in essence, you can score 1500 through 2400 on the test which is designed for kids from 8th through 11th grades.
Is 1800 a good SSAT score?
The score range of the SSAT sections and the total sum scores differs depending on whether you've taken the elementary, middle, or upper level SSAT....How Does SSAT Scoring Work?LevelSection Score RangeSum Score RangeElementary300-600900-1800Middle440-7701320-2310Upper500-8001500-2400Apr 3, 2017
How many questions are on the upper level SSAT?
The Upper Level SSAT is taken by students applying to grades 9-12. The Upper Level SSAT is administered both on the computer and on paper. It consists of six sections: Writing, Quantitative 1, Reading, Verbal, Quantitative 2, and Experimental....What is on the Upper Level SSAT?SectionQuestionsTimeExperimental16 questions15 minutes7 more rows•Dec 11, 2020
Is 2400 a good SSAT score?
This allows us to assign each score a percentile — a figure that represents where a score sits on a distribution curve. For example, obtaining a perfect score on the old SAT (2400) puts you in the 99th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 99% of all other test takers.
What is a good SSAT score for a 9th grader?
Median Scores (SSAT 50th Percentile)Middle Level7614Upper Level86479668106863 more rows
Does the SSAT have an essay?
The SSAT requires an essay, but it's not graded. So why do you need to write it? Well, the essay is a great way for schools to see how well you express yourself.
Is the SSAT test hard?
While the test is designed to be of "middle difficulty," this is a very competitive group of students against which you're being scored—these are the select students applying to the finest independent schools.
Can you use a calculator on the SSAT?
Students are NOT allowed to use a calculator on the SSAT math. The SSAT tests a student's skills in three mathematical areas: computations, geometry/algebra, and mathematical concepts.
Is the SSAT harder than the PSAT?
The SAT is slightly more difficult than the PSAT overall; however, CollegeBoard makes the PSAT to help prepare students for the SAT, so the content, structure, and style of questions on the two exams are very similar.
How long should I prepare for SSAT?
We encourage students to allocate at least three months for effective SSAT prep. In many cases, students begin their SSAT prep at least a year prior to an official test date.
Should I skip questions on SSAT?
You earn 1 point for every correct answer, you lose ¼ of a point for every wrong answer, and no points are gained or lost for questions you don't answer. Despite this wrong answer penalty, there is no mathematical benefit to skipping questions — you should feel free to guess on any question that you get to.
How many questions are there in the SSAT?
Your SSAT Quantitative score is the result of your performance on two separate Quantitative sections of 25 questions each. These sections are scored together for a total Quantitative Score comprising 50 questions.
How many sets of scaled scores are there on the SSAT?
So, on an Upper-Level SSAT score report, students will technically receive four sets of scaled scores:
What is scaled score on SSAT?
Scaled scores aren’t the only scores that appear on a typical SSAT score report. Students will also earn a percentile ranking for their performance on SSAT Verbal, SSAT Math, and SSAT Reading. They’ll also get a percentile ranking for their total SSAT score.
Why is the SSAT not compared to other standardized tests?
The SSAT has admitted this in the past: “The same scaled score on the SSAT may have a different percentile rank from year to year or even from test to test, and the SSAT percentile ranks should not be compared to those of other standardized tests because each test is taken by a different group of students. ”.
What is the norm group on the SSAT?
This percentile indicates the percentage of first-time test-takers of the same grade/gender who have taken an SSAT on a standard test date in the U.S. /Canada in the past three years (not including this year). This group of test-takers is called the “norm group,” and this norm sample is unique for every SSAT the test-makers score.
What is the key to understanding the SSAT score?
The key to understanding SSAT scoring lies in differentiating between the essential and nonessential information contained in the report.
How many questions did Gabby and Sam answer?
They both took a Reading section and answered 25 out of 40 questions correctly. Gabby guessed on any questions she was unsure of, whereas Sam skipped them. Sadly for Gabby, it was not her lucky day, and all the questions she guessed were incorrect.
How many pages are there in the SSAT answer booklet?
In most cases you will receive an answer booklet preprinted with your information. SSAT answer booklets have four pages. The first page will include information about you. The second and third inside pages are for the writing sample. The fourth page is where you mark your answers.
What happens after the final section of the test?
After the final section ends, you will wait quietly and patiently while the proctor collects and confirms all test materials.
What happens when you take a test at the Proctor's office?
Once all test takers are admitted, the proctor will explain the rules of testing and then pass out test books. In most cases you will receive a test book preprinted with your information.
How long do you have to take a break after writing a sample?
After the writing sample ends you will receive a 5-minute break. You can visit the restroom or access your snacks during this time, but you CANNOT access prohibited items. When the break ends you will take your seat, test books will be distributed, and the multiple-choice sections of the test will be administered.
What to do if you skip a question on the test?
If you do skip a question, be sure to skip that space on your answer booklet. You may write in the test book to help you figure during each of the multiple-choice sections. For each section, you will have a specific amount of time.
What to do when you need to use the restroom during a test?
During testing, raise your hand if you need to use the restroom.
How long is the warning for the elementary test?
The time varies from section to section, but you will always receive a five-minute warning. You may not move ahead if you finish a section early. Tests cannot be scored if any entire section is left blank. When taking the Elementary level test, be sure to answer each question, even if you aren’t sure what the answer is.
How many points are given for each correct answer on the SSAT?
Elementary SSAT test-takers are given 1 point for each correct answer, and zero points for any incorrect or incomplete answer. There is no “passing” score on the SSAT; scores are forwarded to the school for which the student is applying, and their administrators will use their own criteria to evaluate the results.
When is the SSAT test?
There are a total of eight standard Middle and Upper Level SSAT test dates during the testing year (August 1 - July 31), beginning in October and occurring one Saturday per month until June. Elementary Level testing has two fewer dates, beginning in December.
Why is the SSAT important?
SSAT scores provide administrators with an unbiased way of assessing applicants’ candidacy for a position at a private or independent school, regardless of experience or background. Performance on the SSAT is an important factor in a candidate’s application for admission to a private or independent school.
What is the purpose of the SSAT 2021?
Free SSAT Practice Tests [2021 Updated] The Secondary School Admissions Test ( SSAT) is a standardized test used by administrators of private or independent schools for the purposes of measuring basic math, reading, and verbal skills. SSAT scores provide administrators with an unbiased way of assessing applicants’ candidacy for a position ...
What is a scaled score on the SSAT?
SSAT Scaled Scores are given for each section of the test (verbal, quantitative, reading). The sum of each section’s scaled score is also shown as one total scaled score.
What level is the SSAT?
Students entering grades 4 or 5 will take the Elementary Level SSAT. Students entering grades 6-8 will take the Middle Level SSAT. Students grades 9-12 will take the Upper Level SSAT. Be sure you are using the appropriate SSAT practice tests for your particular level. Each test is split up into four sections:
What are the levels of the secondary school admission test?
The Secondary School Admissions Test consists of three levels of testing: the Elementary Level, the Middle Level, and the Upper Level. These are based on the level of schooling the student has achieved upon applying to a private or independent school. Students entering grades 4 or 5 will take the Elementary Level SSAT.
How much does each wrong answer subtract from your SSAT score?
For a Middle/Upper Level SSAT, though, there is a slight penalty for wrong answers– while you still get a full point for each correct answer, each wrong answer subtracts a quarter of a point from your score. Here’s the formula:
What happens if you guess randomly on the SSAT?
If you guess randomly, the points you lose for incorrect answers will likely cancel out the points you get for correct answers.
How to cancel SSAT scores?
If you feel that you have not tested well after you leave the test, you have the option of canceling your score. To do so, you must send your request to SSAT by mail, fax, or email. This request must be received no later than the Tuesday after Test Day. If you cancel them, your canceled scores will not be sent to any of your designated score recipients.
How to get better at SSAT?
Keep moving. Timing is extremely tight on the SSAT, so it’s critical that you spend your time working on questions that you know you can solve without too much difficulty. Give yourself a time limit for each question, and move on once you reach that limit, even if you haven’t answered the question. Be flexible.
When is the SSAT 2019?
September 14, 2019 / in SSAT / by admin. The first thing you might notice with respect to grades is that students from other class years are taking the same test as you. Not to worry! You are graded according to your age. In other words, if you’re in 9th grade, you aren’t expected to get as many questions right as someone in 11th grade, ...
Can you deduct points for questions left blank?
For questions left blank, no points are deducted.
Is there a total scaled score for math?
In addition to scaled scores for Verbal, Math, and Reading, there is a total scaled score.
How many sections are there on the SSAT?
As a reminder, there are three scored sections on the SSAT: Verbal, Reading, and Quantitative. There are two unscored sections: the SSAT writing sample and an experimental section.
Why is the SSAT not compared to other standardized tests?
The SSAT actually admits this: “The same scaled score on the SSAT may have a different percentile rank from year to year or even from test to test, and the SSAT percentile ranks should not be compared to those of other standardized tests because each test is taken by a different group of students.”. Here’s an example.
How is the SSAT score calculated?
First, keep in mind that the test-makers calculate each SSAT score based off of a unique norm sample. This sample includes data from the last three years of SSAT administration (not including this year’s). Because this norm sample is always unique, the distribution of scores will always be different.
What does it mean to start your SSAT prep journey?
If you’re at the beginning of your SSAT test prep journey, this means first establishing a target SSAT score.
What is a good starting place for SSAT test-takers?
A good starting place for SSAT test-takers is to surpass the median SSAT score for each individual section.
How to get a good SSAT score?
The best way to do this is by taking a practice SSAT. A diagnostic exam can give you a set of “benchmark” scores (raw & scaled scores and percentiles) and a sense of how far you need to go to reach your dream score. It’s wise to take your first practice SSAT as soon as possible–we suggest allocating at least three months to consistent SSAT prep for substantial score increases.
What percentage of SSAT score is better than median?
If you score in the 50th percentile on any SSAT section, you will achieve the “median” SSAT score for that test. And if you score higher than the 50th percentile, you perform better than the median.
SSAT Scores by Section
Your SSAT Score Report
- Student scores become available on the SSAT website between three days and two weeks of the test date, depending on the type of SSAT you’ve taken. Log in to the student version of your SSAT account to view your scores. When you do so, you will first see a score overview page that looks like this: Source: SSAT.org You may be wondering what the “T Scaled/V Scaled/Q Scaled/R Scale…
Frequently Asked Questions
- We already discussed that students should focus more on percentiles, as opposed to scaled scores. Here are some further questions that might come up: What matters more, SSAT section percentiles or total percentiles? Schools tend to consider the percentiles of each section. However, we encourage families to check with schools of interest to verify, as preferences diffe…
Download Prepmaven’S Complete Guide to Scoring on The SSAT
- What else should you know about scoring on the SSAT? In our Complete Guide to Scoring on the SSAT, you’ll get access to: 1. A recap of everything discussed in this post 2. Our thoughts on what a “good” SSAT score looks like 3. Details about SSAT score release dates 4. Information on score reporting services and sending scores to schools