Help your student prepare for the SSAT by enrolling in an Albany SSAT course provided by Varsity Tutors. Designed to maximize engagement and collaboration, this course goes beyond the worksheets and textbooks that students study at home by offering an environment that encourages a full understanding of the coursework. As a result, many students who've prepared for the test in this type of learning environment have learned how to apply their knowledge outside of the classroom, making them better equipped to answer questions and solve problems presented on the test.
The SSAT is a standardized test administered to students between the 3rd and 11th grade. It's used by many private and independent schools to help with making admissions-based decisions. For this reason, it's important that your student is prepared for the test and able to score well on it, so they can increase their chances of getting into a first-choice school. Because this is the first standardized test that many pupils encounter, especially those in elementary school, preparing for the SSAT can be challenging. Students must study a number of different topics in math, English, writing, and reading, as well as sharpen their study habits and test-taking skills to improve their likelihood of success.
Varsity Tutors understands the pressure associated with preparing for the test, which is why we're offering a comprehensive Albany SSAT class that helps students prepare more efficiently. These classes, hosted completely online, give students the opportunity to interact with a professional instructor and share information, solve problems, and exchange tips with peers preparing for the same assessment.
What could an Albany SSAT course help my student review?
There are three versions of the SSAT: Elementary, Middle, and Upper Level test. The test your student takes depends on their current grade level. If they're in the 4th and 5th grade then they'll take the Elementary Level test; if they're between 5th and 7th grade, they take the Middle Level, and students between 8th and 11th grade are given the Upper Level version of the test. The Albany SSAT course helps students review all of the material on these tests by breaking down large and complex information into manageable chunks, helping most pupils study without feeling overwhelmed by the extensive material.
While each test level covers different topics, they all look at the same general subjects. These subjects are broken up into four sections of the test: Quantitative, Reading, Verbal, and Writing. There's also an Experimental portion at the end of the test, but that's ungraded and used by the test creators to help them when making new tests.
Let's look at the sections further, starting with the Quantitative portion. Here, students are evaluated on their math skills. For Elementary test takers, that means being able to answer questions based on simple arithmetic, as well as a few problems involving basic geographic and graphing. Things get more difficult for Middle Level students, who have to solve various problems covering algebra and geometry. Finally, there's the Upper Level test. Here, test takers are given a number of complex questions covering algebra, geometry, statistics, and graphing.
The next portion of the test is the Reading portion. Students here are evaluated on their ability to read and understand information, as well as identify important data in reading passages and use it to answer questions. All students will need to understand context and implied meaning when completing this section of the test, but Upper Level students will also need to evaluate the context and tone of sentences and use that to make inferences about the characters' and the authors' intentions.
The Verbal section looks at your student's English language proficiency. Elementary and Middle Level tests use various synonym and analogy-related questions to look at the test taker's understanding of words and their definitions, and whether the student knows the subtle nuances between synonyms. Things get a bit more complicated on the Upper Level version of the SSAT, which dives deeper into the etymology of words. Students taking the Upper Level test will need to have a strong understanding of root words, as they'll be required to look at Anglo-Saxon, Greek, and Latin prefixes and suffixes and use that information to define keywords.
Finally, there's the writing component. The test at most of the same skills, regardless of the SSAT level. To pass this part of the test, students need to demonstrate their command over written English, as well as their ability to spell words correctly, structure stories, and follow grammar rules. While the content assesses is generally the same, the structure of this assessment varies depending on the level. Elementary and Middle Level students choose between two creative writing prompts, both prompts requiring them to write a story following the instructions provided. Upper Level students, however, have the choice between writing a story or a traditional essay and are also evaluated on their persuasive writing techniques and their ability to support statements using examples.
How does an Albany SSAT class help my student prepare?
Our SSAT class offers a number of benefits. Students learn in an environment that covers the topics on the SSAT in depth. Along with reviewing important information from a professional instructor, they get to work alongside other pupils preparing for the same SSAT. As such, they're encouraged to work together to solve problems, share ideas, and explore different learning styles-all with the intention of performing well on the test.
What's more, our Albany SSAT class is designed to maximize convenience. Studying through virtual lessons means that your student doesn't have to worry about commuting across town or cramming study sessions into their busy schedules. They can participate in SSAT lessons at a time that works best for them, which means you and your student don't have to stress about scheduling conflicts.
How can I find an Albany SSAT prep course for my student?
Are you ready to give your student a comprehensive, interactive learning experience? Get started by contacting Varsity Tutors today and asking for more information about our Albany SSAT course. Our friendly consultants are happy to set your student up with a course that helps them prepare for this challenging exam.
Anne: Albany SSAT course instructor
...is working with high school students who need to learn basic grammar and punctuation, and improve their reading comprehension skills. I also tutor Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Regents ELA, vocabulary building, writing (literary analysis, essay, and academic papers), and the CARS section of the MCAT. I'm patient and very good at explaining concepts and how to carry out assignments. Work with me and you'll be able to reach your academic goals.
Education & Certification
- State University of NY at Albany - Bachelor in Arts, English
- State University of NY at Albany - Master of Science, Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL)
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- TEAS
- GED
- WISC IV
- +105 subjects
Rob: Albany SSAT course instructor
...with a triple major in English, Philosophy, and American studies. I have two masters' degrees, and am a certified teacher in the State of Massachusetts. As a tutor, I am both flexible and patient. No two students are the same, and therefore there is no "right approach" to tutoring. Rather, I try to meet students where they are, and find ways to help them accomplish whatever goals they have in mind, be it an SAT...
Education & Certification
- Fordham University - Bachelor in Arts, English / History / Philosophy
- Fordham University - Master of Arts, Philosophy
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- Advanced Placement
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- +94 subjects
Samantha: Albany SSAT course instructor
I am currently in the proccess of earning my doctorate of education with an emphasis in leadership studies. I tutor a large variety of subjects, mostly pertaining to English and reading but also include organization, American Sign Language, and Criminology. I also specialize in academic coaching for students of all ages.
Education & Certification
- Virginia University of Lynchburg - Bachelor of Science, Criminology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- CLEP
- Productivity
- Test Prep
- +86 subjects
Jennifer: Albany SSAT course instructor
...others further themselves in their education by building confidence, voice and academic empowerment. My primary focus is on student engagement and building a tutor-student relationship based on trust, honesty and open-mindedness. I see student success beyond just comprehension or memorization. I help students to truly synthesize the skills and concepts they need to feel confident in their internalization of the knowledge as they reach their goals. I am available throughout the week, including summer! Let...
Education & Certification
- University of Oklahoma Norman Campus - Bachelors, Social Sciences and Organizational Studies
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ACT
- ISEE
- GED
- +147 subjects
Paige: Albany SSAT course instructor
...make sure that each of my students get what they need in order to be succeed as best they can. I am determined. Along with being conscientious, I feel as though I am very aware of the things around me and how they are changing, and how I am a part of the environment around me. I am able to give a child the care and the guidance they need to become the best student...
Education & Certification
- Edinboro University - Bachelors, Early Childhood (Prek-4) and Special Education (PreK-8)
- University of Albany - Current Grad Student, Reading and Special Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- Writing
- Homework Support
- +17 subjects
Samantha: Albany SSAT course instructor
...it important to get to know each and every student. Creating fun and engaging lesson plans based on their interests, and needs will help students achieve their goals. I believe in modeling and guiding students through their weaknesses will allow students to become more comfortable when working independently. I am currently an elementary teacher, as well as a summer school teacher. I have tutored /taught students from incoming kindergarten to 6th grade.... I believe that students should be engaged and love learning. Lessons should be geared toward their interests and needs.
Education & Certification
- SUNY College at Old Westbury - Bachelors, Childhood education 1-6
- St. Johns University - Masters, TESOL and Literacy
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- K-11th Grade Standardized Tests
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- AIMS
- +72 subjects
Education & Certification
- Siena College - Bachelor in Arts, History Teacher Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- PSAT
- GED
- +49 subjects
Christopher: Albany SSAT course instructor
Michael J. Fox has famously taken the words of Ignacio Estrada and made them a personal slogan of sorts "If a child can't learn the way we teach. maybe we should teach the way they learn" This is my personal mission as an educator, to always find the best way to reach students and ensure that they become life long learners. ... My teaching philosophy centers on students doing as opposed to just listening. I utilize various different methods of presentation so that students can get a basic understanding of concepts, and then through actual practice and experience, offer them the teaching to master the concept.
Education & Certification
- Marist College - Bachelors, Psychology
- University of New England - Masters, Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- ISEE-Middle Level Quantitative Reasoning
- Science
- +39 subjects
Kimberly: Albany SSAT course instructor
...in both special education and literacy. Also, I am a certified elementary education teacher and received by Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Oneonta. I understand the rigor of standardized test and use the student's prior knowledge as a base to build on. I am extremely patient and my goal is to see my student's strive and become self-confident in their learning experience. I enjoy teaching and tutoring as well as playing with my two young...
Education & Certification
- SUNY Oneonta - Bachelors, Childhood Education
- SUNY at Albany - Masters, Literacy and Students with Disabilities
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- Phonics
- Test Prep
- +16 subjects
Victoria: Albany SSAT course instructor
...interest to the student and keeps their attention. I have a love of books that I always aim to pass on to the student through reading a variety of different texts. I am cheerful, enthusiastic and committed. I convey this into my teaching by creating positive relationships through communication, trust and respect with students and parents. I thoroughly enjoy teaching and remain totally committed as it gives me fulfillment and a sense I am making...
Education & Certification
- South Bank University London UK - Bachelors, Primary School Teaching (Education) B.Ed (Hons)
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- Writing
- Math
- +17 subjects
Brooke: Albany SSAT course instructor
...I have been an attorney for over 10 years. I love to see when a student gets it! I am always willing to help in whatever way possible and I want to make sure you not only get the right answers, but you know why they are right. Students: Remain focused on your goals, but know that your goals can change. The key is to remember you are destined for excellence.
Education & Certification
- University of Maryland-College Park - Master of Laws, Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysis
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ACT
- ACCUPLACER
- CogAT
- +96 subjects
Kristine: Albany SSAT course instructor
I am very much a people person. I am very passionate about helping people. I have a ton of experience in teaching in a variety of environments, including tutoring, teaching at the college level, working with students online, as well as developing and providing instruction for fellow employees and staff. I love working with students and getting them to understand material, and helping them to feel more confident about the topics.
Education & Certification
- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus - Bachelor of Science, Accounting
- Albany State University - Master of Science, Taxation
- Albany State University - Master of Science, Public Administration
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ASVAB
- HSPT
- ACT
- +23 subjects
David: Albany SSAT course instructor
...kind-of-way. I have an undergraduate degree in computer graphics and interactive media from Pratt Institute (2003) and a master degree in electronic art from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2015). My favorite subjects to tutor are highschool math, C#, and python for data science. I find comfort in the structured logic of math and programming. It gives me the illusion that our existance can be understood and measured at times when nothing makese sense and the world...
Education & Certification
- Pratt Institute-Main - Bachelor in Arts, Computer Graphics
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Master of Arts, Electronics Technology
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Certificate, Applied Economics
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- ISEE
- HSPT
- +96 subjects
Corina: Albany SSAT course instructor
...in several different areas of content. As a lifelong learner myself, I am able to project the importance of realizing that, when we open our ears and eyes to learning, we allow ourselves to respect others and listen to new ideas. This, in turn, brings respect and admiration to us. By becoming a lifelong learner with an ambition for learning, we cannot become stagnate in knowing that we are always striving for more knowledge. Being...
Education & Certification
- The College of Saint Rose - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
- Sage Graduate School - Master of Arts, Elementary School Teaching
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- PSAT
- GED
- SAT
- +31 subjects
Brent: Albany SSAT course instructor
...went to the College of Saint Rose where I received my Bachelor's for Childhood Education in May of 2012. I have been employed as a teaching assistant for three years at Watervliet Elementary in a special education setting. In September, I hope to be getting my own classroom where I can finally have a group of my own students to prepare them for their next step in life. I've been passionate about pursuing a teaching...
Education & Certification
- The College of Saint Rose - Bachelors, Elementary Education
- Univeristy at Albany - Masters, Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- REGENTS
- Social Studies
- +25 subjects
Meghan: Albany SSAT course instructor
...and with honors from the history department for my thesis. My Masters of Arts degree is in Museum Studies with a focus on exhibition design and development and American Studies. I spent a year as an Americorps member tutoring and leading an after school program in Washington, DC.I worked with my students to improve their literacy skills, over all academic abilities, and to develop a love of reading. I also taught at the National Building...
Education & Certification
- George Washington University - Bachelor in Arts, History
- George Washington University - Master of Arts, Museum Studies
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- Advanced Placement
- SAT
- REGENTS
- +87 subjects
Tristina: Albany SSAT course instructor
...the student in these three core areas will help to maximize student motivation, engagement and achievement. I have always enjoyed helping students academically. I have always loved helping students personally and socially. A school counselor is a career in which I am lucky enough to do all three. As a current school counselor for the past seven years, I have had the opportunity to put this philosophy into action and am looking forward to doing...
Education & Certification
- The College of Saint Rose - Bachelors, Public Communications and Spanish Minor
- The College of Saint Rose - Masters, School Counseling
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT Subject Test in Spanish
- Study Skills
- +32 subjects
Joseph: Albany SSAT course instructor
I am a friendly, articulate, professional, college educated (graduate level) tutor versed in a variety of disciplines. I am very patient and dedicated to finding innovative and creative ways to educate those I am teaching. Students from ages 7-99 welcome! I am also eager to work with Senior Citizens for I find they make the best students. I have experience and training in teaching individuals with both Learning Disabilities and Developmental Disabilities.
Education & Certification
- Ithaca College - Bachelor of Science, Photographic, Film, and Video Technology
- University of Houston - Master of Arts, General Literature
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +131 subjects
Andrew: Albany SSAT course instructor
...ambition to know more and to use academic success as a measure for how much they are learning. Most teachers don't like to be asked why students have to know math or grammar or history and so on; to me, there is no better or more important question. My tutoring sessions are conversations. We ask each other questions about the material, and I help guide the discussion so that it will help the student understand...
Education & Certification
- Swarthmore College - Bachelor in Arts, Philosophy
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- REGENTS
- SAT Subject Tests
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- +146 subjects
Chris: Albany SSAT course instructor
...and sixth grade. I truly love teaching. I really enjoy watching students learn, take on new challenges and being successful. I know how to motivate students in doing their very best. To me learning is fun and exciting and that is how I teach. I am also a huge sports fan. This love of sports has given me the opportunity to be a coach in my local school district I currently teach in. Coaching and...
Education & Certification
- SUNY College at Oneonta - Bachelor of Science, History
- The College of St Rose - Masters in Education, Early Childhood Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- Middle School Reading Comprehension
- Spelling Bee
- Social Studies
- +31 subjects