Varsity Tutors can assist students preparing to apply to secondary school by linking them with consistent Seattle SSAT prep help. The SSAT stands for Secondary School Admissions Test, and it's an exam that's used by numerous private educational institutions. This test is administered to students who are seeking entrance into an elite private elementary, middle, or high school. The SSAT is designed for students in grades 3-11. Scoring well on this exam is important because admission committees will compare the student's score to those within his or her academic group. The final score can determine whether a student is granted admission into the school.
The SSAT is a standardized assessment that aims to measure the student's academic ability. The exam assesses their basic math, verbal, and reading skills. How well the student performs on the SSAT can predict whether they are able to handle the coursework in a private school. Since the SSAT is geared towards students of various grade levels, there are three main test levels available for students in elementary, middle school and high school.
What Does A Seattle SSAT Prep Class Cover?
The SSAT is made up of three sections; Verbal, Quantitative, and Reading Comprehension. Test takers will take the exam based on their current grade. There's also a Writing section that isn't scored, but it's sent to the schools that the student is applying too. For instance, if a fourth-grade student is taking the standardized test, they will have to take the elementary level of the SSAT. Although there are slight differences in the varying levels of the SSAT, they all share the same purpose. Check out this overview of the format of the SSAT so that you can know what to expect on exam day.
Elementary Level
The elementary level is for 3rd-grade students applying to an independent school for the 4th grade. Here is a breakdown of this level of the assessment:
Verbal - This section has 30 questions that will test the student's understanding of word relationships, different types of analogies and vocabulary from various areas of study.
Reading Comprehension - There are a total of 28 questions in this portion of the exam all based around 7 reading passages. Your child will have to determine the main idea of different written passages, use context clues to figure out the meaning of words, and identify important information.
Quantitative - The Quantitative portion consists of basic math questions that cover areas such as; multiplication, addition, and division. Students are prohibited from using a calculator in this section.
Writing Sample - The student will be asked to write a simple short story that includes a beginning, middle, and end on this final section of the assessment.
Middle School and Upper Level
The middle school and upper levels of the SSAT are considered to be much more challenging. Here is a breakdown of the Upper and Middle levels of the Secondary School Admissions Test:
Verbal - In the Verbal section, middle school students are required to answer 60 questions. Thirty of these questions are based around synonyms and the other 30 are centered on analogies. This portion tests the student's understanding of vocabulary, the relationship between words, and ideas. The Upper Level portion, which is taken by students in the 8th-11 grade, also consists of 60 questions that are also analogy and synonym based.
Quantitative - For the Middle Level SSAT, the Quantitative section contains questions that cover mathematical topics like data analysis, probability, and algebra. Students should have an understanding of geometric concepts and be able to solve general algebra problems. Upper Level students are administered 50 questions with two 30 minute sections. Some concepts this level of the Quantitative section of the test covers are linear equations, word problems, and fractions. Calculators aren't allowed during testing.
Reading Comprehension - There are 40 passages based questions on the Reading section of the Middle Level SSAT. Students have to interpret the meaning of the persuasive and narrative text. The Upper Level also administers 40 questions that require students to closely analyze the narrative and argumentative passages.
Writing - In the Writing section, students in both sublevels are given the opportunity either write a creative or traditional essay based on the presented prompts. The Writing section won't be scored, but the sample is sent to the schools the candidate is applying too.
What Are The Different Types of Seattle SSAT Prep?
There are two main Seattle SSAT preparation options. Varsity Tutors can help students enroll in a Seattle SSAT prep class or connect them with a private tutor. New classes start every week, and parents have the option of enrolling their child in a two week or four-week class. Both options offer unique benefits and can be effective at thoroughly preparing the student for the exam.
A Seattle SSAT prep course takes place in an online interactive learning environment similar to a regular classroom, with an expert instructor leading a group of students. Learning in such a collaborative environment can prove to be effective because students can help each other retain important concepts through group activities and discussions. Also, every student has the opportunity to interact with the instructor individually for additional help.
Some students might benefit more from a Seattle SSAT tutor. No doubt, a private tutor allows for learning on a personalized level. After all, a private instructor is solely focused on one student, which means they'll be able to quickly identify their weaknesses and strengths. A tutor can help students improve in concepts that they find difficult and teach them test-taking strategies that they can implement on the day of the exam. Tutoring takes place on the Live Learning Platform, which means that the session can take place anywhere.
How Can I Find Seattle SSAT Prep Help?
Finding a good Seattle SSAT prep class or a private tutor can be a challenge. Varsity Tutors is here to connect students will regular tutoring sessions and prep courses that best fit the student's schedule. Obtaining help in preparing for this standardized exam is essential because it's a crucial part of getting into a specific school. To learn more information about the SSAT prep help we can provide, you can contact one of our educational consultants today.
Rachel: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...mentor for graduating high school students through the Dream Project. As a tutor, my main duty is to work with a student as an individual and to adjust my own tutoring to fit the way they learn best. I believe that all students have what it takes to succeed in school, its just a matter of finding the style of learning that is most effective for them. What works or makes sense for one student...
Education & Certification
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Bachelors, General Biology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- GED
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +89 subjects
Jessica: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...Bachelors in Elementary Education from Pacific Lutheran University with an endorsement in Elementary Education (K-8) and an endorsement in Reading (K-12). I have a Masters of Education from the University of Melbourne. I have provided tutoring services in and out of the school setting since 2008. I have taught 1st grade in a public school since 2014. I love working with students and watching them develop a love for learning that can become lifelong. In...
Education & Certification
- Pacific Lutheran University - Bachelors, Elementary Education
- University of Melbourne - Masters, Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- SSAT- Elementary Level
- Writing
- +14 subjects
Carolyn: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
I have been working with children in schools, daycares, summer programs, and afterschool programs for 13 years. I hope to use my diverse experiences to foster communities of joyful and eager learners.... I believe that each student travels on their own unique path to knowledge. I believe that a teacher is a guide along these paths, walking alongside each student, supporting them where they struggle and guiding them when there is a fork in the road.
Education & Certification
- Smith College - Bachelor in Arts, Education and Child Study/German Studies
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- 3rd Grade Reading
- Elementary Math
- +45 subjects
Claudia: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...and new ones are discovered. I have studied motivation in educational contexts and have held various teaching/mentoring roles. Having graduated 1st in my class with a Masters degree, I know what it takes to succeed in academic settings. It is effort, not innate ability, that makes people excel. I try to put forth this effort and learn in all areas of my life, including my hobbies like cooking, skiing, hiking, and reading.... When a student knows how to ask the right questions and harness the tools available to answer those questions, they naturally become an independent learner. I aim to help each student to be able to learn and find answers in any part of life that interests them.
Education & Certification
- Reed College - Bachelors, Psychology
- Bournemouth University - Masters, Forensic and Neuropsychological Perspectives in Face Processing
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- PSAT
- GED
- +61 subjects
Suzanne: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...to be explored. Always be seeking, improving, and wondering. I have taught middle school for 17 years and try to pass on my love of learning to each and everyone of my students. I believe all students can be successful learners, although they may learn best in a wide variety of ways. When a student gets it, I get excited. I always do everything I can to make my students experience success. In my spare...
Education & Certification
- Brigham Young University-Provo - Bachelors, Pre-Physical Therapy
- Georgian Court University - Masters, Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ACT
- GED
- SAT
- +48 subjects
Catherine: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...are gifted or special education. Science is my favorite because I love experimenting, building projects like soda bottle water rockets, and working for and with wildlife by cleaning up their habitats and raising trout from eggs for release as fry (juvenile fish). Math is exciting to tutor, especially using manipulatives and other forms of representation-we can do that visually online as we work together. Reading for fun is one of my hobbies, but I know...
Education & Certification
- California State University, East Bay - Bachelor in Arts, Liberal Studies, Biological Sciences
- Holy Names University - Unknown, Teaching Certifications
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- AIMS
- Writing
- +24 subjects
Hannah: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...past two years, I have worked in educational settings around the Seattle area. As the lead teacher for an after-school program serving Somali refugees and as a monitor at a French bilingual school, I have immersed myself in the region's splendid diversity. This work as an educator has given me experience developing age-appropriate lessons in a variety of areas, including Reading, Writing, Science, and Math. My cultural agility is the result of interactions with students...
Education & Certification
- Mount Holyoke College - Bachelors, English
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- ACT
- Advanced Placement
- +50 subjects
Bejoy: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...one can be better able to understand it. I know this because I also grew up not liking Math but ironically ended up teaching it. I believe you need to be patient and understand the student's strengths and weakness in order to effectively teach Math to students. Relating Math to real life examples can make it more interesting and fun for students. I believe my tutoring/teaching experience and desire in teaching math would be beneficial...
Education & Certification
- Fordham University - Bachelor in Arts, Biology, General
- Iona College - Master of Science, Adolescent Math Teaching
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- REGENTS
- ACT
- +38 subjects
Katherine: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...history, and English. I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, majoring in Spanish and International Studies and minoring in Political Science. During those three years, I spent time abroad in both Japan and Spain, teaching English to children ages 10-18 while immersing myself in the target cultures. After graduation, I worked for three years at a Fortune 500 company, further developing my interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. I also...
Education & Certification
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls - Bachelors, Spanish; International Studies
- Middlebury College - Current Grad Student, Spanish
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- Spanish 1
- High School English
- English
- +16 subjects
Sejal: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...in graduate school and immerse myself in my classes, the university, and the city. Previously, I graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Science in both Environmental Studies and Geology. I am a PADI certified Divemaster and I’ve been scuba diving all over the world. I have spent time working with special needs children and doing scientific research in labs and in the field. Throughout my education I have been a well-rounded student in...
Education & Certification
- Tufts University - Bachelor of Science, Environmental Studies and Geology
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Masters, Public Administration
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +63 subjects
Nikki: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...science ever since I was a kid and watched The Magic School Bus and the Bill Nye show. I majored in Neuroscience and Behavior in college, so I learned a lot about Biology and Psychology, and I plan on getting a Master's in Bioengineering. I spent two years serving with the Peace Corps in Peru, where I learned to speak Spanish, build stoves out of adobe, and a lot about life in rural communities. In...
Education & Certification
- Vassar College - Bachelor in Arts, Neuroscience and Behavior
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- Advanced Placement
- ISEE
- HSPT
- +46 subjects
Suzanne: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...skills and elementary math. I am a natural with children, but also know how to set friendly but firm limits. For the last eight years I have worked as a substitute elementary school teacher in the Edmonds and Mukilteo school districts working with students Kindergarten through fourth grade. I enjoy helping children understand things. I believe my job as a tutor is to investigate what is going on that may be causing the student to...
Education & Certification
- Seattle Pacific University - Bachelors, Language Arts
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- Math
- SSAT- Elementary Level
- +11 subjects
Thomas: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...with working adults and young adults. I come from a long line of teachers on both sides of my family. Above all, I bring compassion to my work. I have a learning disability which makes me gifted in some areas, but very slow in others. This disconnect made my educational journey a long and difficult one. I understand the thrill of success, but also the despair and discouragement that comes with failure. I know how...
Education & Certification
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Bachelors, English
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- GED
- ISEE
- TOEFL
- +79 subjects
Brian: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...independent study skills that will support them through life. What this means is building up the analytical skills that they will need to prepare and study for assignments and tests when they're going to go to college. There's only so much one can do in teaching the content that we also need to teach our students how they can become their own teachers and succeed on their own. Hence, I want my students not just...
Education & Certification
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Bachelor in Arts, Mathematics
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Masters in Education, High School Teaching
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ACCUPLACER
- ISEE
- SAT
- +128 subjects
Christine: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...biology and tutoring standardized tests. I completed my undergraduate work in biology at Macalester College and earned a PhD in Microbiology at the University of Washington. I am also interested in pedagogy (the study of how students learn and how to teach) and regularly participate in pedagogy journal clubs and conferences. While I don't have any formal training in marine biology, I've picked up a lot of information during my time at the aquarium and...
Education & Certification
- Macalester College - Bachelor in Arts, Biology, General
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus - PHD, Microbiology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- PSAT
- SAT
- ISEE
- +51 subjects
Shane: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
I'm a PhD student in Bioengineering at the University of Washington, I recently graduated from Johns Hopkins University studying Biology with a minor in Spanish. I'm very interested in all things math and science and also tutor in Spanish and with the ACT. I live in San Francisco and would love to help out with anything of that sort. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outside, fishing, kayaking, and playing many different sports.
Education & Certification
- Johns Hopkins University - Bachelor of Science, Cellular and Molecular Biology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- High School Biology
- +32 subjects
Aimee: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...dual concentration in music education and music theory/composition from George Fox University. I am currently pursuing board certification in music therapy. I have worked in the field of education for 15+ years and am completing my 9th year as a licensed teacher. I have experience with individuals with disabilities, English language learners and gifted students, both in my personal and professional experiences. I specialize in working with multi-exceptional learners. I am a licensed teacher in...
Education & Certification
- George Fox University - Bachelor in Arts, Music Theory and Composition
- Willamette University - Master of Arts Teaching, Special Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- K-11th Grade Standardized Tests
- HSPT
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- +146 subjects
Susan: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...private schools, I can help by providing reading intervention strategies that improve fluency and comprehension. I assist students in the writing process by teaching them to start with a blueprint, organize thoughts into paragraphs around a key idea, revise, recognize errors of convention related to capitalization, spelling, complete sentences and style. I am fastidious in meeting style requirements, such as MLA, AP and Chicago. I model examples of good writing that include sentence variety, strong...
Education & Certification
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Bachelor in Arts, Drama and Dance Teacher Education
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Master of Science, Library and Information Science
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- Wilson Reading
- Math
- Professional Certifications
- +34 subjects
Marine: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...variety of settings, from tutoring youth in after-school programs to assistant teaching in high school and college classrooms. I am passionate about teaching because I believe education allows people to interact with the world in a meaningful way, and I get excited about tutoring students who have a desire to learn. I am most passionate about teaching French, English, and writing. I was born in Paris and lived there until I was 8, and I...
Education & Certification
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Bachelors, International Relations, Minors: Human Rights, African Studies
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- SSAT- Elementary Level
- Writing
- +52 subjects
James: Seattle SSAT test prep instructor
...of graduate school is learning to be a teacher, and I have taught many courses in the University of California system in both Classics and History departments, so I am familiar with subjects ranging from Ancient Epic Poetry and Women in the Classical World to Modern Western Civilization and Medieval Literature. I have designed and taught two of my own courses as instructor of record, both on Roman History. I find the most enjoyable bits...
Education & Certification
- Pacific Lutheran University - Bachelors, Classics
- University of California-Santa Barbara - Doctor of Philosophy, History
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- Comparative Literature
- Elementary School Writing
- Study Skills
- +59 subjects