If you want to empower your student with an SSAT course and help them pursue their educational goals, Varsity Tutors can set you up with a private SSAT class today. We specialize in helping students and their parents connect with private tutors who can provide SSAT prep courses tailored to a student's individual needs, making us one of the leading names in the test prep space!
The SSAT, or Secondary School Admission Test, is a standardized test taken by students in Grades 3-11 as part of the application process to private and independent secondary schools located throughout the United States. It would be silly to give a third-grader and an eleventh-grader the same exam, so it is split into three different test levels to best meet a student's needs.
The following list breaks down each SSAT test level:
- Elementary Level - For 3rd-grade students applying to an independent school for 4th grade, or for 4th-grade students applying to an independent school for 5th grade
- Middle Level - For students finishing 5th, 6th, or 7th grade and looking to attend the next school year at an independent school.
- Upper Level - For students in 8th-11th grade seeking admission to an independent high school the following year
Notably, the SSAT only measures a student's academic knowledge, not their motivation, work ethic, or creativity. Naturally, other factors play a large role in school success. This means that it should not be the only determining factor in an independent school's admission process. That said, the test is very good at what it sets out to do. All three scored sections (Quantitative, Reading, and Verbal) approach 0.9 predictability on a scale where 1.0 is the best, giving private schools an objective benchmark to base their decision-making process on.
Can My Student Study Every Section In An SSAT Course Near Me?
If you are concerned about the exam itself, an SSAT class is a perfect opportunity for your student to take practice tests to become familiar with its formatting and contents. The table below breaks down the Upper Level SSAT into the number of questions and the amount of time allowed per section:
Upper Level SSAT Section |
# Questions |
Time Allowed (in Minutes) |
Writing Sample |
1 (no score given) |
25 |
Break |
5 |
|
Quantitative 1 |
25 |
30 |
Reading |
40 |
40 |
Break |
10 |
|
Verbal |
60 |
30 |
Quantitative 2 |
25 |
30 |
Experimental |
16 |
15 |
The Middle Level SSAT also follows the formula above, though the questions are a little bit easier to accommodate younger test-takers. The Elementary Level Exam has a completely different structure: one 30-minute Math section with 30 multiple-choice questions, one 20-minute Verbal section with 30 multiple-choice questions, one 30-minute Reading section with 28 multiple-choice questions, 15 minutes to answer a writing prompt, and a 15-minute Experimental section with a random blend of Math, Verbal, and Reading questions.
Here's a closer look at how taking an SSAT class can help your student prepare for each section of the exam:
Math/Quantitative
The Quantitative section on each SSAT exam includes subjects such as arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. Most of the questions are appropriate for the test-taker's grade level, though some advanced questions are included as a challenge. For example, an elementary school student might be asked to identify the properties of a circle, while a middle school student might need to find the circumference of the circle instead.
One of the best ways to prepare for any math test is to complete practice problems on the topics covered, and your student's tutor can provide extra ones during SSAT courses if they run low. Students are not permitted to use calculators on any SSAT exam, so your student's instructor may review how to work out problems by hand during SSAT prep courses as well. Technology isn't the answer to everything!
Reading
All SSAT exams have similar Reading sections that place an emphasis on two types of passages: narratives that provide information on a given topic and arguments that take a stand on a particular issue. The passages tend to get longer as the test-taker gets older, and high school students may have questions about topics such as economics and science than an elementary student would not be given.
If your student could understand more of what they read, their instructor may review active reading techniques during SSAT courses to help them accurately identify the main idea of a passage. Most active reading techniques are relatively simple, such as highlighting important information as you go along or jotting down notes on what you're thinking. That said, they can prove very beneficial. Not only does active reading ensure a student is paying attention to the material, it may also be faster to look up an answer in the margin as opposed to digging through the entire passage again.
Verbal
All SSAT Verbal sections concentrate on vocabulary and analogies, with more complex words appearing for older students. Vocab skills are most often measured through synonyms, meaning that students need to select the word with the most similar meaning to the one in the question. For instance, "difficult" would be a suitable response to the word "challenging." If your student's vocab skills could use a boost, their instructor could create flashcards for them to review during SSAT prep classes.
Likewise, analogies require students to identify the relationship between two things and then select a logical complement to another word following the same relationship. For instance, snow is to blizzard as rain is to thunderstorm. Relationships can be based on anything, including synonyms, antonyms (opposites), homonyms (words that sound alike), or logical (tools used by different jobs). These questions can be challenging, but working through a few with a knowledgeable tutor during an SSAT course may help build your student's confidence heading into the exam.
Writing
The Writing section on the Elementary Level SSAT gives students 15 minutes to write a response to a picture prompt. It isn't graded, but it is sent to all of the schools you are applying to as a representative sample of your student's writing abilities. As such, it definitely "counts." If your young student has a hard time transferring their thoughts to the page, their tutor may show them how to outline their work during an SSAT class to make the creative process a little easier.
Similarly, the Middle Level SSAT gives students a choice of two creative-writing prompts, while Upper Level SSAT test-takers have the choice of a creative prompt or a traditional essay prompt. Again, these responses are not graded but are sent with your application. Both exams only allow 25 minutes to compose the entire response, so there really isn't enough time to stare at the page wondering what to say next. Thankfully, creating a concise outline can help keep your student on-track for the entire section. If they aren't in the habit of working from an outline, the benefits of doing so may be explained in their SSAT prep course.
Experimental
All SSAT Experimental sections are unscored and used by the test's manufacturer to make sure that future test items meet the exam's quality standards. Your student needs to answer these questions, but there's no reason to devote any SSAT prep class time to them.
Can An SSAT Course Near Me Help My Student With Concepts Instead Of Sections?
Of course! Your student is probably busy with homework, studying, and extracurriculars, so preparing for the SSAT may seem daunting. Our SSAT classes allow students to receive personalized attention from a private instructor. They can concentrate on their unique areas of opportunity, and never need to move on from a given topic until they are ready to do so. In contrast, many large SSAT classes follow set curricula with minimal adaptability for an individual student's needs.
For example, SSAT prep classes offer the flexibility of focusing on your student's specific needs. If your student has a firm grasp on writing but hasn't quite mastered reading comprehension yet, their SSAT prep course may focus more on reading comprehension to enhance study efficiency. For this reason, SSAT prep classes are a great addition to any study plan.
Since the exam is timed, your student may not have enough time to re-read every single question and its corresponding answer choices for the multiple-choice sections. Your student's instructor may teach them test-taking strategies that are specific to the level of exam they are taking during SSAT course sessions to help your student eliminate some of the answer choices and move on so that they can finish the entire test. There is no penalty for guessing on the SSAT, so getting to every question is very important.
Similarly, your student may review test-taking strategies during their SSAT prep course. Multiple-choice questions contain a lot of information, sometimes enough to answer another question on the test. Leveraging an exam against itself in this manner may not be the most important concept taught in an SSAT prep class, but it can certainly provide a confidence boost when your student needs it.
Should your student have any questions, their instructor can also address them in a timely manner. In fact, many students say that it was easier to ask for help in the one-on-one learning environment provided by a private SSAT class than a larger classroom setting. Likewise, all of their work can receive immediate feedback so that they can correct any mistakes while the material remains fresh in their mind. This is important, as it helps to ensure that any misunderstandings are addressed before they snowball out of control.
Your student can also receive individualized attention tailored to their unique needs. For example, if they learn best through visual aids, the instructor may use graphical representations to help illustrate challenging concepts. On the other hand, if they benefit more from auditory measures, their instructor may use a Q&A discussion format to get the information across. Large SSAT courses lack the ability to accommodate an individual's needs in the same manner.
Is There Anything Else I Should Know About The Test?
The SSAT is administered in one of two ways: at a testing lab during "standard" testing dates throughout the year or at a private school by special appointment (called a "Flex" SSAT). You are not allowed to accompany your student into the testing lab, so they will be on their own when he test begins. The SSAT has numerous scheduled breaks during which students are allowed to use the restroom or consume a quick snack for energy, but test time is not "refunded" for any unscheduled interruptions. Therefore, it is probably for the best if your student does not have a lot to drink on test day.
The SSAT is scored in a variety of ways. Your student's Quantitative, Verbal, and Reading scores are reported individually, though the scale varies between exams. There is also a "total" score that adds all three sections into one number. Most important, however, is probably your student's percentile rank. This number ranges from 1-99 and illustrates how your student performed relative to students of the same gender and age who have taken the same level SSAT in the last three years. Note that the entire SSAT-taking population is trying to get into a competitive high school, so the population as a whole tends to perform better academically than the average student.
Why Should I Book An SSAT Class Near Me With the Help of Varsity Tutors?
We always do our best to match your student with an instructor who can meet your scheduling needs. We know how difficult it would be for them to attend an SSAT class in person, so we search our proprietary database of qualified tutors and refer you to one who best fits your scheduling needs. Your student can also use our exclusive Live Learning Platform online to meet face-to-face with their instructor wherever they have a stable internet connection. It includes powerful features such as video chat functionality and a virtual whiteboard so that the student in your life gets a quality SSAT course without the logistical hassle of other options.
If you are ready to learn more about the benefits of SSAT classes or are ready to end your search for "SSAT prep courses near me" once and for all, Educational Directors are currently standing by to help. Reach out to Varsity Tutors today to help your student build stronger study skills with an SSAT prep class!
Rebecca: SSAT course instructor
...School of Social Service Administration. I am passionate about tutoring because I want everyone to be able to perform academically at their highest possible level. I also think it is important that learning is not just for one assignment or one test, but rather that it sticks with you to build a solid foundation of knowledge and confidence that you can carry forward. My favorite subjects to tutor include English, SAT test preparation, math, and...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelors, Psychology
- University of Chicago SSA - Masters, Social Work
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- SAT
- PSAT
- +53 subjects
Kaley: SSAT course instructor
...and in these roles I look for ways to make learning fun and rewarding. I especially love teaching reading and writing and I have taught or tutored these subjects to students ranging from kindergarten through adults. I also have experience tutoring test prep subjects and focus both on the content material and test taking skills. My passion is psychology and I have been able to use my graduate training in human development to tailor my...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Bachelors, Education and Public Policy
- Harvard Graduate School of Education - Masters, Human Development and Psychology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- PSAT
- ACT
- +35 subjects
Matt: SSAT course instructor
...on to complete a Masters program at Georgetown University in human physiology. Given the amount of schooling I have gone through myself, I have taken a wide range of subjects and more standardized tests than I would like to admit. I have taught students of almost every age in various fields such as elementary science, Hebrew, chemistry, MCAT prep, and many more.. My ultimate plan is to go to medical school, but in the meantime...
Education & Certification
- Johns Hopkins University - Bachelors, Public Health concentration in Immunology and Infectious Disease
- Georgetown University - Masters, Biophysics and Human Physiology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +85 subjects
Rachel: SSAT course instructor
...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 will not...
Education & Certification
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Bachelors, General Biology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- GED
- SAT Subject Tests
- +89 subjects
Max: SSAT course instructor
...Whiffenpoofs, America's oldest collegiate a cappella singing group. Apart from singing, I'm is passionate about education, particularly in helping high school students achieve their academic goals as they work their way towards college. I volunteer in New Haven as a math teacher and coach at a public middle school (my team of 7th graders just won the 2016 New Haven regional championship!), and I've been tutoring middle and high school students for over 7 years....
Education & Certification
- Yale University - Current Undergrad, Economics
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- PSAT
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +104 subjects
Samantha: SSAT course instructor
...also continued to help many high school seniors with college application essays. While I tutor a variety of subjects, I am very passionate about helping students improve their reading and writing skills, and I really enjoy helping students with Critical Reading and Writing portions of Standardized Tests. I love working with students and helping them realize their full academic potential. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, exploring Chicago, reading, and cooking.
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Current Undergrad, Political Science & Legal Studies
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- ACT
- SAT
- +36 subjects
Cynthia: SSAT course instructor
...and research mentorship as well as a translation program from and to English outside of class. I speak Japanese and French, and I have taken the PSATs, SATs, 10 APs, and the GREs successfully. I would be willing to help with any of these subjects, with math, science, and languages being more of my strong suit, and I would be willing to drive to a location as well as do online tutoring.... It is always best to learn with your students. I usually teach from a book or based on homework assignments, but I find thinks click best when you take advantage of a student's strengths and weaknesses instead of just giving problems.
Education & Certification
- Princeton University - Bachelors, Neuroscience
- Johns Hopkins University - PHD, Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +72 subjects
Asta: SSAT course instructor
...the best, as we talk through dreams, aspirations, and life experiences. I view education as a skill; education is not around to help us learn specific things, but rather education teaches us how to learn. Outside the classroom, I'm a well-traveled certified SCUBA diver who enjoys spending time kayaking and weightlifting. I also played ice hockey through college and performed as a classical pianist on campus and in Europe. When I'm not feeling so active,...
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Bachelor in Arts, Political Science and Government
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- CLEP
- PSAT
- ISEE
- +80 subjects
Margarita: SSAT course instructor
...a dermatologist office as a Medical Assistant and part-time on a public health project related to smoking cessation. I have also been tutoring students in a variety of subjects. I have been tutoring students since I was in 7th grade, and my favorite subject to tutor is math. My family is originally from Russia, and I grew up with a very strong and traditional math background. I always find teaching math to students to be...
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- ACT
- ISEE
- +55 subjects
Zach: SSAT course instructor
...ship captain. After he passed, I knew teaching was something I cared deeply about. I tutored my way through college at Wesleyan University, where I graduated with Honors. Now with five years of experience, I am prepared to teach on a wide range of subjects in a variety of styles. When not tutoring, I am a playwright and lyricist, working on my second musical; a drummer playing shows throughout the city; and an amateur media...
Education & Certification
- Wesleyan University - Bachelor in Arts, Philosophy
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- TACHS
- SAT
- ISEE
- +62 subjects
Ron: SSAT course instructor
...enjoy being able to help others understand it. And I feel gratified when I can relieve the stress a student is feeling about not getting the math they have to do for a class or test. Outside of math, I have a degree in psychology and am very interested in the topic. In my spare time, I also like hiking, mountain climbing, table tennis, running, reading, Ethiopian and Thai restaurants, and chess.
Education & Certification
- Portland State University - Bachelor of Science, Psychology
- University of Pennsylvania - PHD, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- PSAT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +34 subjects
Dylan: SSAT course instructor
...fun. I promise! As a tutor my primary goal is not to teach towards specific problems. Rather, it is to establish strong foundations and to teach methods to figure out how to apply those fundamentals to any problem the student might encounter. I try to really drive home, on a conceptual level, why things are done the way that they are. Over the course of my tutoring career I have found this approach to be...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Current Undergrad Student, Economics
- Cornell University - Current Undergrad Student, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- Advanced Placement
- ACT
- ISEE
- +78 subjects
Abby: SSAT course instructor
...comes to French grammar. Similarly, I love playing with and examining the English language, whether in preparation for the reading section of a Standardized Test or for a college essay. I believe that students learn best when they are able to uncover the "why," not just the "what," and it is my goal to create an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes. In my free time, I enjoy making pottery, swing...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Bachelors, Education Studies
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ISEE
- PSAT
- +44 subjects
Leonid: SSAT course instructor
...and build crazy robotics projects. I love helping students of all ages build understanding and excitement for various subjects. I believe that, with patience and the right set of tools, you can grow to enjoy any subject. As someone who used to be terrible at math and was taught to love it, I can attest to the fact that the right teacher can make a world of difference. I hope to work with you and...
Education & Certification
- University of Massachusetts Amherst - Current Undergrad, Mechanical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- ACT
- SAT
- +53 subjects
Daniel: SSAT course instructor
At the core, I love learning and find it fun. In teaching, I try to convey that sense of fun to my students. I use a variety of techniques depending on my student's learning style, but I always focus on the fun of learning new things.... In a first session with a student, I would introduce the basic concepts and core questions of the subject, and determine my student's learning style in order to plan future lessons better.
Education & Certification
- Tufts University - Current Undergrad, Biomedical Engineering and Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ISEE
- ACT
- +96 subjects
Abrar: SSAT course instructor
The world is not going to end if you do not get a perfect score. A perfect score should simply be a goal to strive towards. I believe in making mistakes. The best way to learn is to correct and review mistakes. This ensures that fewer and fewer errors are made in subsequent performances. Practice and discipline will lead to perfection. Those who do not learn from their mistakes are destined to repeat them.... It's okay to make mistakes. The best students learn from their mistakes. Those that do not are destined to repeat them.
Education & Certification
- Gannon University - Bachelor in Arts, Law and Political Science
- CUNY LaGuardia Community College - Associate in Arts, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- TACHS
- SAT 4-Week Prep Class
- ACT 8-Week Prep Class
- +34 subjects
Damian: SSAT course instructor
If you choose me to be your tutor then you will definitely ace your test. I'm a great math tutor because I understand the material thoroughly, am patient, and know how to explain things. I attended Stuyvesant High School and the University of Chicago; I am currently studying Data Science with Johns Hopkins.... If you don't get it then I'm explaining it wrong.... Before the first session, I'd have them do a bunch of practice problems on the subject they want to be tutored in, and I'd look over their answers to see what they need help with. I'd also ask them which problems they guessed on or weren't totally sure of. We could start from there.
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Current Undergrad, None
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- SHSAT
- +63 subjects
Jesse: SSAT course instructor
...enjoy helping students think about subjects creatively and from new angles. My largest interest, outside of education, is music. I worked throughout college as a music director at Wesleyan's radio station, and currently work as a producer and staff writer for Afropop Worldwide, a non-profit radio show dedicated to African music and music of the African diaspora. I also love watching independent films and reading fiction and philosophy. I love living in Brooklyn, but I...
Education & Certification
- Wesleyan University - Bachelor in Arts, French & College of Letters (History/English/Philosophy)
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- PSAT
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +80 subjects
Connor: SSAT course instructor
...to grasp even the most complex of topics, and I have built my tutoring career on this premise. As an experienced tutor, I have continually enjoyed seeing my students achieve lofty goals under my instruction. I specialize in tutoring biology, chemistry, physics, and economics for high school students. In addition to this, I also tutor students in college level general chemistry, general biology, organic chemistry, introductory physics, economics and for the MCAT exam. I excelled...
Education & Certification
- Saint Louis University-Main Campus - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- STAAR
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- +43 subjects