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| What is the SSAT? The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) consists of two parts: a brief essay, and a multiple-choice aptitude test which measures your ability to solve mathematics problems, to use language, and to comprehend what you read. The test is administered on two levels: • Lower (for students currently in grades 5-7) • Upper (for students currently in grades 8-11) Many editions of the test exist to ensure that no student takes the same SSAT twice. All tests are printed in English. Test Format The test is timed and divided into five sections. You will be given 25 minutes for the writing sample, 40 minutes for the reading section, and 30 minutes each for the remaining multiple-choice sections. • Writing Sample Includes one topic statement which you will be asked to support or argue, using specific examples from personal experience, current events, history or literature. This portion is not scored by SSAT and a copy of the writing sample is not included with the report sent to students. • Quantitative (Math) Consists of two sections of 25 questions each. You will be required to do math computation similar to what you do in school or what is useful in everyday life. • Verbal Consists of 30 synonym and 30 analogy questions. • Reading Comprehension Includes 40 questions based on about 7 reading passages. These questions measure your ability to read quickly and comprehend what you read. All questions on the SSAT are equal in value, and scores are based on the number of questions you answer correctly minus one-quarter point for each question you answer incorrectly. You may only give one response to each question. Although no points are awarded or deducted for questions left unanswered, you will be penalized for questions answered incorrectly or with more than one response. |
