How to improve your SSAT scores with Top Test Prep’s SSAT Tutoring
About your SSAT tutors and test prep…
Many Top Test Prep SSAT tutors are graduates of top private schools like Andover, Exeter, Choate, Hotchkiss, Lawrenceville, Milton, Loomis, St. Paul’s and many more. We’ve taken the SSAT exam and understand what it takes to get top SSAT scores and to get into top private schools. Our SSAT tutoring is focused on improving scores for all sections: math, verbal, reading and writing.
How we can improve your SSAT scores
Top Test Prep’s expert SSAT prep team build custom study plans and has private SSAT tutors who understand how to prep students for the SSAT exam. We know that students taking the SSAT exam are applying to prep schools and private schools, and many have not taken standardized tests before. So Top Test Prep is here to help your son or daughter reach their SSAT goals and get into top private schools – building their fundamentals in exam taking.
Our SSAT prep programs:
- Elite Program, Private SSAT Tutoring
- Premium Program, Private SSAT Tutoring
- Plus Program, Private SSAT Tutoring
- Gold Package (20 lessons and Private School Admissions Counseling focused on top prep schools)
- Silver Package (15 lessons and Private School Admissions Counseling)
- Bronze Package (10 lessons and Private School Admissions Counseling)
We also have prep school and private school admissions counselors who can help you get into top prep schools throughout the country: find out more here boarding school admissions counseling.
About the SSAT exam…
What is the SSAT exam?
The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) consists of two parts: a brief essay, and a multiple-choice aptitude test which measures your ability to solve mathematics problems, to use language, and to comprehend what you read.
The test is administered on two levels:
• Lower SSAT (for students currently in grades 5-7)
• Upper SSAT (for students currently in grades 8-11)
Many editions of the test exist to ensure that no student takes the same SSAT twice. All tests are printed in English.
What’s on the SSAT exam?
The test is timed and divided into five sections. You will be given 25 minutes for the writing sample, 40 minutes for the reading section, and 30 minutes each for the remaining multiple-choice sections.
Writing Sample
Includes one topic statement which you will be asked to support or argue, using specific examples from personal experience, current events, history or literature. This portion is not scored by SSAT and a copy of the writing sample is not included with the report sent to students.
Quantitative (Math)
Consists of two sections of 25 questions each. You will be required to do math computation similar to what you do in school or what is useful in everyday life.
Verbal
Consists of 30 synonym and 30 analogy questions.
Reading Comprehension
Includes 40 questions based on about 7 reading passages. These questions measure your ability to read quickly and comprehend what you read.
Should you guess if you don’t know the answer on the SSAT exam?
Unless you have narrowed down your options significantly, you shouldn’t guess. Scores are computed by awarding 1 point for each correct answer and subtracting ¼ point for each incorrect answer.
How is the SSAT scored?
Scores are computed by awarding 1 point for each correct answer and subtracting ¼ point for each incorrect answer. This calculation produces a Raw Score, which is then converted into a Scaled Score by the use of table constructed specifically for each test.
When the SSAT board determines students’ percentiles, they use the past three years of students testing at that grade level.
The board does not release score-percentile ratios.
Differences exist in the scoring scales for the Lower and Upper exams. Remember: All questions on the SSAT are equal in value, and scores are based on the number of questions you answer correctly minus one-quarter point for each question you answer incorrectly. You may only give one response to each question. Although no points are awarded or deducted for questions left unanswered, you will be penalized for questions answered incorrectly or with more than one response.
What topics are covered on the SSAT math section?
Arithmetic: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Order of Operations, Positive and Negative Numbers, Multiplying and Dividing by Zero, Factors, Multiples, Least Common Multiple, Proper and Improper Fractions, Reducing Fractions to
Lowest Terms, Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers and Decimals, Multiplying and Dividing Decimals, Changing Decimals to Fractions, Percents, Finding a Percent of a Number, Finding the Percent of Increase or Decrease, Mean, Median, Mode, Graphs, Units of Measure
Algebra: Evaluating Expressions, Solving Simple Equations, Ratios and Proportions, Operations with Algebraic Expressions
Geometry: Points, Lines, and Angles, Identifying Congruent Angles, Solving Angle Problems, Types of Triangles, Base and Height of a Triangle, Median of a Triangle, Types of Quadrilaterals, Circles, Perimeter and Area, Types of 3-Dimensional Figures, Finding the Volume of Solid Figures
What’s the format of the SSAT lower level exam?
Verbal Section – 60 questions, 30 minutes
Quantitative- 2 sections of 25 questions each, 30 minutes each
Reading – 40 questions, 40 minutes
Writing Sample – 25 minutes (not scored but sent to schools)
*Total Time: 2 hours and 35 minutes
What’s the format of the SSAT upper level exam?
Verbal Section – 60 questions, 30 minutes
Quantitative- 2 sections of 25 questions each, 30 minutes each
Reading – 40 questions, 40 minutes
Writing Sample – 25 minutes (not scored but sent to schools)
*Total Time: 2 hours and 35 minutes
.png)
