Paper Test-Day Essentials
Online & Printed Practice
Knowing what to expect on SSAT test day helps reduce test-taking anxiety, putting students in the right frame of mind to do their best.
Knowing what to expect on SSAT test day helps reduce test-taking anxiety, putting students in the right frame of mind to do their best.
Somehow, test day has a special knack for coming quicker than you may think. Preparation is key, and understanding what happens at paper test centers will help avoid surprises. Feel confident with our test-day tips, checklist, and expectations below.
We also recommend reviewing our testing advice articles and setting your student up for success with our official SSAT practice materials.
Log in and click “print ticket” if you didn’t print it during registration. Get step-by-step instructions.
Approved for testing accommodations? Be sure to bring the second page titled “Testing Accommodations Approval.”
Many everyday items are prohibited and are best left at home. Review the prohibited list and cell phone policy below. If prohibited items are brought, students are required to place them in the prohibited items area upon entering the test room.
While test takers should generally have empty pockets, they may always have hand sanitizer, a mask, a reasonable amount of tissues, and feminine hygiene products.
Possessing a prohibited item during testing will result in your student being excused from testing, the test being cancelled without refund, and may limit the opportunity to retest.
CELL PHONES ARE PROHIBITED ITEMS. We strongly discourage students from bringing a cell phone to the test center. However, we understand that bringing a cell phone may be necessary for security or transportation reasons. IF STUDENTS BRING A CELL PHONE, THEY MUST STRICTLY ABIDE BY ALL CELL PHONE RULES:
The test center address is listed at the top of your admission ticket. Check the “Special Instructions” section on your admission ticket for any notes about arriving, parking, public transportation, or any special start times. Testing normally begins promptly at 9 a.m. and it's best to arrive 30-45 early to check in and get situated. Please note that students will NOT be admitted after testing begins.
Check your email and the SSAT Alerts page for information about cancellations before you leave. Rest assured that if there is a cancellation, we will reschedule the test (normally one week later) and either allow you to test at that time, transfer free of charge to any other test date and location within the current testing year, or receive a refund.
Once you arrive at the test center, look for SSAT signs to guide you to the check-in area.
You'll start by showing your admission ticket at the check-in area, and once the staff confirms your information, they'll return the ticket to you. All staff associated with the test wears an SSAT nametag should you need assistance.
The student will then be directed to the test room, or you'll be asked to wait patiently until all test takers arrive. Parents and guardians may escort students to the testing room at most locations; however, you may NOT enter the testing room.
Upon arrival at the testing room, the proctor will ask students to:
Metal detectors (magnetometers) may be used for security at select locations; your admission ticket will note whether your test site might use them.
Once students have completed the admissions process, they will only be permitted to have pencils and their admission ticket at their testing seat.
The proctor will explain the testing rules and pass out answer booklets. In most cases, students receive an answer booklet preprinted with their information on the first page.
The second and third pages in the answer booklets are for the writing sample, and the fourth page is where students mark their answers. Students will verify that the information on their answer booklet is correct, or they will fill in their name, grade, gender, and registration ID (from the admission ticket).
Testing will then begin, starting with the writing sample section. As with all sections, the writing section is timed, and students will receive a five-minute warning before the time is up. Students can utilize a piece of scrap paper to organize their thoughts, but the complete writing sample must be written in the answer booklet.
A five-minute break is provided after the writing section when students can visit the restroom and have a snack, but they aren't allowed to access prohibited items.
After the break, the proctor will redistribute test booklets, and the multiple-choice sections will begin. Students must carefully mark their answers and attempt each section—tests cannot be scored if an entire section is left blank.
It's important to remember that students don't have to answer every question. They will receive 1 point for each correct answer, lose 1/4 point for each incorrect answer, and neither receive nor lose points for skipping a question. When skipping a question, they must be careful to also skip that space in their answer booklet.
Students may write in the test book to help them determine the answers during each multiple-choice section. The allotted time for each section varies, but a five-minute warning is always provided. Students aren't allowed to move ahead if they finish a section early.
View the Middle Level and Upper Level pages for a more detailed breakdown of the SSAT sections than what is shown below.
Section | Time (minutes) | 1.5x Time Accommodation |
---|---|---|
Writing Sample | 25 | 40 |
Break | 5 | 5 |
Quantitative (Math) | 30 | 45 |
**Break for 1.5x Time only** | NA | 5 |
Reading | 40 | 60 |
Break | 10 | 10 |
Verbal | 30 | 45 |
**Break for 1.5x Time only** | NA | 5 |
Quantitative (Math) | 30 | 45 |
Experimental | 15 | N/A |
The proctor will explain the testing rules and pass out answer booklets. In most cases, students receive an answer booklet preprinted with their information on the first page.
Students will verify that the information on their answer booklet is correct, or they will fill in their name, grade, gender, and registration ID (from the admission ticket).
The multiple-choice sections are administered first, and students may write in the test book to help them determine the answers. The allotted time for each section varies, but a five-minute warning is always provided. Students aren't allowed to move ahead if they finish a section early.
When taking the Elementary Level test, students must answer each question, even if they aren't sure what the answer is. One point is awarded for each correct answer, and no points are lost for wrong or skipped questions. Tests cannot be scored if an entire section is left blank.
After the multiple-choice sections, testing continues with the writing sample, where students write about a picture they see in the test book.
Visit the Elementary Level page for a more detailed breakdown of the test sections and break periods.
Section | Time (minutes) | 1.5x Time Accommodation |
---|---|---|
Quantitative (Math) | 30 | 45 |
Verbal | 20 | 30 |
Break | 15 | 15 |
Reading | 30 | 45 |
Writing Sample | 15 | 25 |
Experimental | 15 | N/A |
Students can access snacks in the snacks area and use the restroom during breaks. They are NOT allowed to access any prohibited items.
Depending upon the test center, they might be allowed to access the hallways.
Students approved for 1.5x time (50% extra time) will have additional five-minute breaks on all testing levels.
Students are permitted to use the restroom during testing, but the time missed cannot be made up, so it's best to wait until a scheduled break if possible. During testing, students raise their hand if they need to use the restroom; only one student is allowed to go at a time, so there may be a short wait.
After the final section ends, students are to wait quietly and patiently while the proctor collects and confirms all test materials. They will then be dismissed and allowed to collect their prohibited items and snacks. We ask that they be quiet exiting as others may still be testing.
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