Elementary Level SSAT
Online & Printed Practice
SSAT testing for students currently in grades 3 and 4.
SSAT testing for students currently in grades 3 and 4.
The Elementary Level SSAT is the top elementary school admission test for students currently in grades 3–4; however, students may test up or down at any point.
The SSAT is only available as a paper test at the Elementary Level. Use the Test Center Search to find a suitable test date and location; you may also choose the Flex test option given by schools requiring the SSAT as part of their admission criteria.
Accommodations are available for students with disabilities. Families may also inquire with schools that accept the SSAT about receiving an SSAT Fee Waiver.
Select the items below to learn more about the content in each section of the Elementary Level SSAT. Please note that the allotted time for each section may vary for students with approved testing accommodations.
The quantitative section consists of thirty items that are a mixture of basic mathematical concepts familiar to students and a few that may be a challenge. Questions on number sense, properties and operations, algebra and functions, geometry and spatial sense, measurement, and probability are included.
These questions assume an understanding of:
The verbal section consists of two parts for vocabulary and analogies. It tests the understanding of language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings by relating them to words with similar but not identical meanings (synonyms).
Synonyms are words with the same or similar meanings. For example, large and big are synonyms, as are beautiful and pretty. The Elementary SSAT focuses on vocabulary appropriate to all third- and fourth-grade study areas, including science, technology, and social studies.
Analogies are comparisons between two things with similarities. These comparisons play an important role in problem-solving and decision-making skills, perception and memory, communication and reasoning, reading, and vocabulary building. Analogies help students process information actively, make important decisions, and improve understanding and long-term memory. These questions require students to demonstrate an understanding of nuances in both word meanings and relationships.
Categories of analogies include:
Students are allotted a 15-minute break.
The reading section consists of seven short passages with four multiple-choice questions in each. These passages may include prose, poetry, fiction, and non-fiction from diverse cultures. Questions ask students to locate information and find meaning by skimming and close reading. They are also asked to demonstrate literal, inferential, and evaluative comprehension.
The reader must demonstrate an understanding of key ideas and details to determine the text's main idea. Additionally, the reader must determine the meaning of words and phrases, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.
The writing sample gives students a chance to express themselves by writing a response to a picture prompt. The student is asked to tell a story about an image that includes a beginning, middle, and end. The writing sample is not graded, but schools receive a copy with the student’s score report.
The experimental section quality tests future SSAT questions to ensure they are reliable, secure, and acceptable. A mixture of verbal, reading, and math, this section isn't scored.
Prepare with The Official SSAT Study Guide for elementary grades three and four. Available for free via the buttons below, the guides include section overviews, study tips, and practice test questions.
You must have your child's printed SSAT admission ticket to check in at the test site. Parents are encouraged to stay in the waiting area and aren't permitted in the test room.
During the SSAT, the proctor will:
What to bring:
Prohibited items:
EMA typically releases Elementary Level SSAT scores within two weeks of the test date; scores are released to schools a day before they are available to families. Scores are available for free in the portal; however, parents may receive scores via mail or FedEx for an additional fee. You can also order score alerts via text or email in your SSAT account.
Please note: Parents must log in and submit a Testing Experience Statement after the test for scores to get released.
The score report contains: