What is the SSAT, and who takes it?

The SSAT is an admissions test for independent schools, set at three levels by grade: Elementary (grades 3–4), Middle (grades 5–7) and Upper (grades 8–11).

How long is the SSAT?

At Middle and Upper Level, 3 hours 10 minutes including two 10-minute breaks: a 25-minute writing sample, two 30-minute Quantitative sections, a 40-minute Reading section, a 30-minute Verbal section and a 15-minute experimental section.

How is the SSAT scored?

Section scores run 500–800 at Upper Level, 440–710 at Middle Level and 300–600 at Elementary Level. Percentiles from 1 to 99 compare a student with others in the same grade.

Is there a penalty for guessing?

At Middle and Upper Level, yes: +1 for a right answer, −¼ for a wrong one and 0 for a blank, so a guess only breaks even at a one-in-five chance of being right. The Elementary Level has no penalty.

Is the writing sample scored?

No, but it is sent to the schools, so it is worth taking seriously.

How should a younger student prepare?

Gently and over a longer period. Vocabulary and timing are usually the unfamiliar parts at this age, and short regular sessions suit them better than intensive cramming.

School campus buildings, for SSAT preparation

Independent School Admissions

SSAT prep: one-to-one tutoring, live online

One-to-one SSAT prep and tutoring, live online: the Quantitative, Reading and Verbal sections and the writing sample, at the level your child will sit.

Live online: one-to-one lessons of 90 minutes. One-to-one tutoring from $95 a lesson in the 20-lesson package.

Request a free intro call See SSAT prices

SSAT preparation at TestPrep USA, in short

What TestPrep USA offers for the SSAT

Live online one-to-one tutoring in 90-minute lessons. Everything is taught online, so you can join from anywhere.

All SSAT prices

How much does SSAT tutoring cost?

A single 90-minute one-to-one lesson is $100. Packages bring the rate down to $95 a lesson in the 20-lesson package ($1,900).

How do you start?

Request a free intro call: it is a conversation about your goals and timeline, not a lesson or a test. On the free intro call we look at your current SSAT level and your goals — a recent score report or a piece of marked work helps — and the study plan is built from there, before you pay for anything. The intro call is a conversation, not a lesson or a test.

Request a free SSAT intro call

One-to-one or a group course?

There is no open SSAT group course. Bring 3 or more students together and we open a private group course for you. The SSAT private group is $570 per student (about 39 hours · 60-minute lessons).

Who teaches?

10 tutors teach SSAT here. Tutors are matched to the exam you are preparing for on the free intro call.

Arsalan Farajnezhad — Head of Mathematics / Senior International Examinations Instructor & Lead Question Bank Author, teaching since 2014
Defne Yalçın — Senior SAT, ACT & SSAT Mathematics Instructor, teaching since 2016
Ece Yıldırım — Senior SAT, ACT & SSAT Mathematics Instructor, teaching since 2014
Ezgi Tunç — Senior SSAT Verbal & Reading Instructor / TestPrep QBank Author, teaching since 2016

See all 10 SSAT tutors

Results

TestPrep USA has not published results of its own yet. The TestPrep Group's individual records are on the results page, labeled as the group's. No score is guaranteed.

See the results page

Refunds and cancellations

Not satisfied after your first private lesson? Full (100%) refund. We do not offer free trial lessons. Payment is required before your first lesson. A private lesson can be cancelled or rescheduled up to 3 hours before it starts. A lesson cancelled later than that counts as taught and is not refunded, and a lesson whose fee is still unpaid 3 hours before it starts is cancelled automatically. Full terms.

The current SSAT format

The SSAT is an admissions test for independent schools, set at Elementary (grades 3–4), Middle (grades 5–7) and Upper (grades 8–11) levels. The Middle and Upper tests have scored Quantitative, Reading and Verbal sections plus an unscored writing sample and an unscored experimental section — 3 hours 10 minutes with breaks. Percentiles compare you with students in the same grade.

Length: 3 hours 10 minutes at Middle and Upper level, including two 10-minute breaks
Scoring: Section scores: Upper 500–800, Middle 440–710, Elementary 300–600. Percentiles 1–99 against students in the same grade. Middle and Upper: +1 right, −¼ wrong, 0 blank; Elementary has no penalty.
How it is taken: The Elementary Level test is taken on paper.
Set by: The Enrollment Management Association (admission.org)

SSAT sections
Section	Questions	Time
Writing sample25 minutesUnscored; sent to schools	—	25 minutes
Quantitative25 questions × 2 · 30 minutes each	25 questions × 2	30 minutes each
Reading40 questions · 40 minutes	40 questions	40 minutes
Verbal60 questions (30 synonyms, 30 analogies) · 30 minutes	60 questions (30 synonyms, 30 analogies)	30 minutes
Experimental16 questions · 15 minutesUnscored	16 questions	15 minutes

Who this preparation is for

The SSAT is an admissions test for independent schools, set at Elementary, Middle and Upper levels by grade. Percentiles compare each student with others in the same grade.

Students applying to independent middle schools
Students applying to independent high schools, including boarding schools
International students applying to US independent schools
Families who want to understand levels and percentiles before test day

What SSAT tutoring covers

Preparation at the level your child will sit: Elementary, Middle or Upper
Verbal: synonyms and analogies
Reading comprehension and pacing
Quantitative: math concepts, and when to skip
The writing sample

Lessons are one-to-one, 90 minutes, live online, and planned around your test date.

How SSAT scores work

Section scores run 500–800 at Upper Level, 440–710 at Middle Level and 300–600 at Elementary Level.
Percentiles from 1 to 99 compare a student with others in the same grade.
Middle and Upper Level: +1 for a right answer, −¼ for a wrong one, 0 for a blank. A guess breaks even at a one-in-five chance of being right. The Elementary Level has no penalty.
The writing sample and the experimental section are not scored; the writing sample is sent to schools.

Mistakes that cost marks

Guessing on every question at Middle or Upper Level, where a wrong answer costs a quarter point.
Cramming vocabulary in the final week. Vocabulary responds to spaced practice over months.
Practicing at the wrong level. The SSAT is set by grade, and the wrong level gives a misleading picture.
Treating the writing sample as optional because it is not scored. Schools receive it.

What SSAT prep typically looks like

A typical shape, not a template. On the free intro call we look at your current level and your goals, and the plan is built from there.

1
Months 1–2
Vocabulary and reading built gradually, in short regular sessions.
2
Month 3
Quantitative technique and timing, and practice at deciding when to skip.
3
Month 4
Full timed practice tests at the correct level, with light review.
4
Final week
Rest and routine.

Current SSAT prices

One-to-one lessons are 90 minutes, live online. The per-lesson figure is the package price divided by its lessons.

SSAT one-to-one tutoring packages
Package	Price	Per 90-minute lesson	Buy
Single lesson	$100	Per lesson: $100	Buy a lesson
10 lessons	$970	Per lesson: $97	Buy package
20 lessonsLowest rate	$1,900	Per lesson: $95	Buy package

Every SSAT price and product Ask which package fits

SSAT questions, answered

What is the SSAT, and who takes it?: The SSAT is an admissions test for independent schools, set at three levels by grade: Elementary (grades 3–4), Middle (grades 5–7) and Upper (grades 8–11).
How long is the SSAT?: At Middle and Upper Level, 3 hours 10 minutes including two 10-minute breaks: a 25-minute writing sample, two 30-minute Quantitative sections, a 40-minute Reading section, a 30-minute Verbal section and a 15-minute experimental section.
How is the SSAT scored?: Section scores run 500–800 at Upper Level, 440–710 at Middle Level and 300–600 at Elementary Level. Percentiles from 1 to 99 compare a student with others in the same grade.
Is there a penalty for guessing?: At Middle and Upper Level, yes: +1 for a right answer, −¼ for a wrong one and 0 for a blank, so a guess only breaks even at a one-in-five chance of being right. The Elementary Level has no penalty.
Is the writing sample scored?: No, but it is sent to the schools, so it is worth taking seriously.
How should a younger student prepare?: Gently and over a longer period. Vocabulary and timing are usually the unfamiliar parts at this age, and short regular sessions suit them better than intensive cramming.
How much does SSAT tutoring cost?: A single 90-minute one-to-one lesson is $100. Packages lower the rate: 10 lessons for $970 ($97 a lesson) and 20 lessons for $1,900 ($95 a lesson). All teaching is live online.
How does SSAT preparation start?: Start with a free intro call to go through your goals, your timeline and the options. It is not a lesson and not a test. On the free intro call we look at your current SSAT level and your goals — a recent score report or a piece of marked work helps — and the study plan is built from there, before you pay for anything. The intro call is a conversation, not a lesson or a test.

Test dates, fees and registration for the SSAT are published by The Enrollment Management Association (admission.org). Score requirements are set by each institution you apply to.

Talk to us about your SSAT preparation

Book a free intro call to go through your goals, your timeline and the options. It is not a lesson and not a test. Tell us your test date and the score you need.