SSAT Testing Accommodations

Ensuring test-takers with disabilities receive reasonable accommodations when taking the SSAT.

Testing accommodations are practices and procedures intended to provide equitable access to the SSAT for students with disabilities.

These accommodations are designed to limit or eliminate the effects of a student’s disabilities on their test performance so that they can demonstrate their true academic and intellectual abilities.

Any student with an identified disabling condition or impairment that substantially limits their ability to perform a major life activity is eligible. Major life activities include, but are not limited to: seeing, hearing, speaking, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and learning.

SSAT accommodations expire on July 31, 2021. Students will need to reapply and be approved for accommodations before registering for tests beginning August 1, 2021.

Review Step-by-Step Details

The SSAT is now offered year-round using multiple testing options.

A standardized test focused on verbal, math, and reading skills, the SSAT is not an achievement test or a measurement of personal characteristics. It is one component of a complete application.

Depending on the level, students can take the paper-based Flex SSAT at a school or test center, the computer-based SSAT at Home, or the computer-based SSAT at a Prometric test center.

Registration will open as follows:

August 1: Paper-based testing — Flex, International, Elementary, and Benchmark options
August 8: Computer-based testing — SSAT at Home and Prometric test centers options

Find Your Testing Options

SSAT score reports do not indicate if a student is provided testing accommodations.

There is no “flagging” of test scores.

Admission Process Webinars

We offer a number of free webinars for families to assist them during the admissions process and provide more information about the SSAT, the Standard Application Online, and the Character Skills Snapshot.

View Webinars

Preparing for the Test

We offer SSAT Practice Online and The Official Guide to the SSAT.

Learn More

SSAT Accommodations & COVID-19

EMA’s goal throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been to increase testing access without compromising the safety of test-takers or test center staff. This meant adapting operations across all areas, including the testing accommodations program.

It is important for all families to review the subtle differences between the traditional paper-based SSAT, computer-based testing with Prometric, and SSAT At-Home testing options. We also highly recommend that families still complete an online application requesting any paper-based testing accommodations, regardless of which testing option is selected.

Review Test Mode Differences

Common Testing Accommodations

From additional testing time to supportive technology to medical equipment and more, EMA accommodates a variety of testing needs.

If your student requires an accommodation not listed in our appendix, enter as “other” when completing the online application.
If you are unsure of your student’s educational testing needs, please contact your student’s current school or medical professionals to discuss appropriate testing accommodations.

Review Accommodations Appendix

Family Responsibility Statement

It is the family’s responsibility to provide all equipment, materials, and personnel necessary to support a student’s approved accommodations on test day for all computer-based AND paper-based SSAT administrations.

This policy is focused on minimizing stress for the student on test day, and giving them the ability to work with individuals and equipment with which they are comfortable and familiar.If you have any concerns about your family’s ability to provide anything needed for your student to successfully complete testing, please contact EMA immediately, and well in advance of your scheduled test date, at ta@enrollment.org.

Approver Information

Do you anticipate serving as an approver of SSAT accommodations? Read the Approver Overview.

Approver Overview

Application Details, Deadlines & Timelines

Students requiring accommodations when completing the SSAT must apply and get approved for their accommodations prior to registering for testing. Please be advised that SSAT standard test registrations close two weeks before each test date, and the amount of reviewal time for accommodation applications varies depending on the nature of each request. As a result, it's best to start this process as early as possible to provide adequate time for review and approval in advance of your student's desired test dates.

Depending on your student’s accommodation request, you may be required to submit documentation, which can greatly impact an application’s approval timeline. When applying for accommodations, the form will advise if documentation is required.
Your student’s testing accommodations must be approved before registering for an SSAT with testing accommodations.
Students only need to be approved for testing accommodations once per testing year (August 1 to July 31). Indicate your student’s need for testing accommodations each time you register for testing.

Review All Test Registration Details

Questions or concerns?

If you have any concerns about your family’s ability to provide anything needed for your student to successfully complete testing, please contact EMA immediately, and well in advance of your scheduled test date, at ta@enrollment.org.

Learn about the steps in the enrollment process.

Get Started:

Determine what your must-haves are in your ideal school. Would you feel comfortable in a large or small school? Are you planning on staying at home or living on campus? What academic and extracurricular do you want from the school? How diverse would you like the community to be? Do you need a program that can accommodate learning differences?

1 Create a wishlist.

Each question on The Snapshot was written by assessment development specialists and subject matter experts in psychology and education, as well as members from the independent school community.

View Sample Questions

2 Students answer two types of questions.

The Snapshot measures a student’s preferences, attitudes, and beliefs about their character. It does not measure their behavior and is not an achievement test.

Member schools using The Character Skills Snapshot will receive reports from those parents/guardians who select them as report recipients approximately two weeks following Snapshot completion. Families have the opportunity to review their report before it appears on their selected schools’ Member Access Portal (MAP).

Access Snapshot Results

3 Snapshot Reports summarize results.

The Snapshot is meant to complement, not replace, a holistic admissions process that includes information from cognitive tests (such as the SSAT), recommendation letters, interviews, etc.

It is not intended to determine if a student should or should not be admitted. Instead, it offers context to help you better understand the whole student.

Learn How to Interpret Results

4 Schools use Snapshot insights to better understand applicants.

More than 70,000 students take the SSAT each year.

Questions about SSAT test options, scores and more?

Visit the Help Center

SSAT Testing Accommodations

Online & Printed Practice

Testing accommodations are practices and procedures intended to provide equitable access to the SSAT for students with disabilities.

The SSAT is now offered year-round using multiple testing options.

SSAT score reports do not indicate if a student is provided testing accommodations.

Admission Process Webinars

Preparing for the Test

SSAT Accommodations & COVID-19

Common Testing Accommodations

Family Responsibility Statement

Approver Information

Application Details, Deadlines & Timelines

Questions or concerns?

Learn about the steps in the enrollment process.

Get Started:

1

Create a wishlist.

2

Students answer two types of questions.

3

Snapshot Reports summarize results.

4

Schools use Snapshot insights to better understand applicants.

More than 70,000 students take the SSAT each year.

About EMA

The SSAT

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The Snapshot

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