Upper Level SSAT
Online & Printed Practice
SSAT testing for students currently in grades 8–11.
SSAT testing for students currently in grades 8–11.
The Upper Level SSAT is the premier high school admission test intended for students currently in grades 8–11; however, students may test up or down at any point.
The traditional paper SSAT and computer-based Prometric testing are available for the Upper Level assessment worldwide. The SSAT at Home is another option for students in the United States and Canada.
Accommodations are available for students with disabilities. Families may also inquire with schools that accept the SSAT about receiving an SSAT Fee Waiver.
The first step in the SSAT process is to select the right testing mode for the student. In the basic details below, please note that the testing year defining the maximum number of SSAT tests students can take runs from August 1 through July 31.
Please click on the items below to learn more about the content in each section of the Upper Level SSAT. Please note that the allotted time for each section may vary for students with approved testing accommodations.
Students have 25 minutes to write an essay, choosing between a personal or general question prompt. Writing samples aren't scored, but they are provided to the schools that you opt to receive the SSAT score report, helping them assess the student's writing abilities. Parents may obtain a copy of the writing sample as a separate purchase.
Students are allotted two ten-minute breaks.
Many but not all quantitative questions are structured in mathematical terms that directly state the operation needed to perform. Carefully consider the wording of questions to determine the proper operations.
Students aren't permitted to use calculators in this section.
After reading each passage, students are asked about its content or the author's style, intent, or point of view. The SSAT uses two types of writing: narrative, which includes excerpts from novels, poems, short stories, or essays; and argument, which presents a definite point of view about a subject.
Reading passages come from:
Questions related to the passage ask students to:
The verbal section asks students to identify synonyms and interpret analogies. Synonym questions test a student's vocabulary strength, while analogy questions measure the ability to logically relate ideas to each other.
Synonyms are words with the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. For example, fortunate is a synonym for lucky, tidy is a synonym for neat, and difficult is a synonym for hard. Synonym questions ask students to choose the answer word with a meaning similar to the prompt word.
Analogies are comparisons between two things with similarities. These comparisons play an important role in improving problem-solving and decision-making skills, perception and memory, communication and reasoning skills, and reading and vocabulary. Analogies help students process information actively, make important decisions, and improve understanding and long-term memory. Considering these relationships stimulates critical and creative thinking.
The experimental section quality tests future SSAT questions to ensure they are reliable, secure, and acceptable.
Official SSAT Practice Materials help your student get ready for the SSAT with both online and books available. Try the free mini-test or get an online subscription to practice for a year. You can also order the books. All practice upgrades include 4 full length tests. Online practice includes quizzes and other practice materials.
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