Top 10 Tips for Test Day
What you need to know in preparation for taking the SSAT at Home.
Learn about the SSAT score release schedule, sending scores to schools, and how schools interpret the scores with the links below.
What you need to know in preparation for taking the SSAT at Home.
Learn about our three safe and convenient ways to take the SSAT.
Beginning in mid-July, SSAT at Home signup will be available through the test registration process. When a parent or guardian logs into their account, they will be able to register for the SSAT at Home, then they will be directed to schedule their student's test date. Detailed information and guidelines will be provided when SSAT at Home registration opens.
Families who have already registered for a 2020 test date but have yet to take the exam due to COVID-19 cancellations will receive priority SSAT at Home scheduling. More spaces will be opening soon.
The SSAT at Home is currently only available in U.S. and Canada for Middle and Upper Level Students.
For all students, a parent or guardian is required to submit a Testing Experience Statement as soon as possible after the test is completed. This statement enables the parent or guardian to indicate if any irregularities (problems that may have occurred during the test administration) interfered with the student’s ability to complete the test. This applies to all modes of testing—on paper, at Prometric, and SSAT at Home.
Scores for each test will not be released to the family or to listed Schools or Educational Consultants if the statement is not completed.
To complete the statement:
For any test impacted by an irregularity, EMA will work with the family and test center, if applicable, to understand the nature of the irregularity and EMA will determine whether the test scores are valid. If test scores are deemed to be invalid, scores will not be released and the student will be provided a free retest at no charge.
SSAT at Home scores are typically released to schools the Wednesday following your SSAT at Home test date. Scores to families are released the next day.* Please note that score release may occur at different times of the day.
SSAT scores from Prometric testing are released weekly. For tests taken from each Monday through the following Sunday, scores are released to schools the Wednesday following the Sunday ending the scoring period. Scores are released to families on the day after they are released to schools.* Please note that score release may occur at different times of the day.
Most paper-based scores are typically released to schools and families within two weeks of the test date. Scores are released to families on the day after they are released to schools.* Please note that score release may occur at different times of the day.
* Note: While the typical score release is indicated above, The Association will report scores to you and all score recipients that you designated within three weeks of the test administration.
If you choose not to list any schools or educational consultants to receive scores and instead review your scores first, know the moment you add a school or educational consultant they will have access to those scores.
Scores are released to schools and educational consultants through secure electronic means. These recipients can access scores either through an account, similar to parent/guardian accounts, or may have an automatic data connection into their systems.
Scores are not mailed or emailed. Score reports to schools and educational consultants always include both the scores and a copy of the writing sample.
You can confirm if scores have been released to a School or Educational Consultant by reviewing your account. Follow the instructions under “Access Scores” below and after clicking the “+” sign to expand a test. You’ll see a release date for each recipient if scores are released:
Scores are released to families for free through their online account. Scores are listed and a PDF score report can be downloaded. Scores can also be reported by mail or FedEx for an additional cost. Score alerts by text or email are also available for an additional cost.
To access your SSAT score report:
If you purchased your SSAT writing sample, a link to the writing sample will allow you to download a PDF of the writing sample.
Score alerts are available via email or text for an additional fee (see fees below). Note: This is not a rush scoring service; scores will still be released on the common release date. Order score alerts via the parent/guardian SSAT account.
There are a variety of options for students and families to access SSAT scores. These services may be viewed and ordered directly through the parent SSAT account.
Use the parent SSAT account to send scores to schools, including adding and/or cancelling scores (cancellations must be requested prior to score release).
Allow additional time for delivery; scores are mailed to your home address only - they cannot be mailed to schools.
Allow additional time for delivery; scores will be sent to your home address only - they cannot be FedEx delivered to schools
Notification via text or email when scores are released. With this alert, you will receive a text or email that includes basic score information the moment it is available! For the full score report, access your account online. This is not a rush scoring service; scores will still be released on the common release date.
A student's SSAT writing sample is released only to schools to which the score report is sent. For an additional $25 fee, the student's writing sample will also be made available to the student/family online via the parent SSAT account.
NOTE: Not available for the Elementary Level SSAT.
If you are concerned about the accuracy of the computerized scoring or the possibility of student mis-bubbling, you may request that the answer sheet be reviewed by hand. This service can be ordered online through the parent's SSAT account. Please note that it has been our experience that few, if any, hand scores result in a score change.
The SSAT is an undisclosed test; consequently, hand scoring service will not provide you with the actual questions or answers from the test. However, in the event that scores change as a result of hand scoring, revised scores will be uploaded to your account and all requested score recipients. If no change occurs, we will send a letter to that effect. Please allow up to one month for hand scoring results. Tests may only be hand scored until the August 31st following the testing season (August 1 - July 31) in which the test was taken.
NOTE: Handscoring is not available for the SSAT at Home or an SSAT at a Prometric test center.
If your student indicated the wrong grade level on the Middle or Upper Level SSAT, you may ask to have the test re-scored to more accurately reflect your child's abilities. To request a rescore to a different grade, please order online through the parent SSAT account. Please allow up to two weeks for rescoring. Updated scores will be made available to the family and all score recipients. Tests may only be rescored within the academic testing year in which they were taken (August 1 - July 31).
