• If you need to reschedule your Prometric appointment to another date and time but still at a Prometric test center, you must do this with Prometric directly. To start that change, go to your EMA account and under the “My Tests” page, select “Reschedule on Prometric.” You can also make the change via phone by contacting Prometric at 800-853-6769.  You may not reschedule a Prometric registration to an SSAT at Home or paper-based SSAT.
• Candidates may reschedule an appointment without a fee 29 or more days prior to the test date. Between 28 and 3 days prior to the test date, there is a $35 fee, which is collected by Prometric.

We are committed to ensuring that test takers with disabilities receive reasonable accommodations when taking the SSAT.  When completing your test change to a Prometric test center, your approved accommodations will be provided to Prometric.

Important notes:

• If you require additional accommodations beyond those already approved for your existing paper-based SSAT, please contact ta@enrollment.org and work with our accommodations staff BEFORE completing your test change to Prometric.
• When completing a test change with approved accommodations, you may need to work directly with Prometric accommodations staff to schedule your appointment instead of using the online date/time selector. This ensures the Prometric center is fully staffed and prepared for your student's accommodations.

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Overview
It’s important to know that the computer-based SSAT at a Prometric test center is just a digital version of the paper-based SSAT.  The types of questions, the sections, and related parts of the computer-based SSAT are the same. Your student will simply use a computer for all test sections instead of a book and an answer sheet.

Check-In

At the check-in area, you will be asked to confirm your student's name and your information.

Staff will check your student’s information and mark them present. Staff may remind both you and your student of rules related to testing and also any COVID-19 requirements. You, the parent/guardian, may retain any snacks and prohibited items, or you may ask check-in staff for a locker to secure your student’s belongings.  

Your student will then be directed to check-in staff for a quick security check, or possibly asked to wait patiently if you are early or your testing seat is not ready yet.

Parents/guardians will accompany test takers during the security check and then will be directed back to the waiting area. Parents/guardians may not go to the testing room.

Security & Admission to the Testing Room

As you and your student leave the waiting area, but before your student enters the testing room, staff may ask you to form a line at security. Staff will ensure proper social distancing between all staff and test takers during testing. Students may be asked to walk through a metal detector or be scanned by a handheld wand detector.

Staff may provide additional directions if they suspect any prohibited items.  

Your student will then be directed by staff to a specific computer station, normally by number, to begin testing. Staff will constantly monitor the room and all test takers through a large glass window, as well as with security cameras. Students will be seated in a room with other SSAT test takers and other students and adults taking admission, licensure, and other types of exams.  Students with testing accommodations may test in a shared testing room or may test individually depending on the site and the student’s accommodations.

Tutorial and Instructions

Once seated, your student will start with a simple tutorial. It will explain how to navigate and how to select answer choices. It will also remind your student of the general rules of testing. All testing will occur on a computer. During testing, instructions to your student for each section will be provided on screen and must be read. For select, important instructions, students will also be advised when they can use provided headphones to hear the written instructions spoken aloud.

Students requiring assistance during testing should raise their hand and wait for directions. During testing, students may use the restroom. However, they may need to wait for a short time depending on availability and to maintain social distancing. They will not be able to make up any time missed for a restroom break during testing, so it's best if they can wait for a scheduled break.

Testing

Once your student completes the tutorial, they will start with the writing sample section by typing their response on a keyboard. Like all sections, there will be a specific amount of time allotted to complete the sections, and students will be given a five-minute warning at the top of the screen before the end of the section. Students will receive a small dry erase board and marker to organize their thoughts. However, the complete writing sample response must be typed on the computer.

After the writing sample ends, your student will receive a 10-minute break. They can visit the restroom or access snacks or drinks in the waiting areas during this time, but they CANNOT access prohibited items, whether in the locker or left with you, the parent/guardian. You may not discuss test content with your student nor may they discuss test content with other test takers. Help your student to allow several minutes of the end of their break to put their snacks and drinks away and go through security. They will report back to the same computer station. If they are late, the next session of the test will start automatically, and they will not be allowed to make up missed time.

Next, the multiple-choice sections of the test will be administered. During each of these sections, your student must mark their selected answers on the computer. They will be provided a dry erase board and marker for figuring in all sections. They must answer at least one question in each section for the test to be scored. However, it is important for students to remember that they do not need to attempt to answer each question, and they should understand how points are awarded on the SSAT. Your student 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.

For each section, your student will have a specific amount of time. The time varies from section to section, but your student will always receive a five-minute warning at the top of the screen. They may not move ahead if they finish a section early.

The sections of the test, their lengths, order, and break periods are shown below.

Computer-Based SSAT Testing Time

Dismissal

After the final section ends, the instruction on screen will advise your student their test is complete.

They can exit the testing room but should be quiet as they exit, as others may still be testing. If your student used a locker, be sure to collect all belongings and return the locker key before leaving. If your student experiences any issues on test day, email info@ssat.org immediately.