We help students in grades 4-9 prepare for the ISEE & SSAT Exams. We also help with the Parent and Student Admission Essays and offer Interview Prep so your child is ready and confident on Interview Day.
Our students have been admitted to some of the best private schools in the country like The Lawrenceville School, Phillips Academy Andover, St Paul’s School, Pingry, Delbarton, Newark Academy and more.
In order to be admitted to a competitive private middle school or high school, your child needs strong SSAT or ISEE test scores.
About the SSAT
The SSAT is used mainly for admission to boarding schools in the U.S. Some private secondary schools also accept the SSAT. The test consists of four multiple-choice sections: two math sections, reading comprehension, and verbal (synonyms and analogies). The test also contains an essay section in which students are given 25 minutes to write on an assigned topic. Calculators are not allowed.
Students may take the SSAT on paper or on the computer. All sections are multiple choice and, unlike the ISEE, students are penalized one quarter of a point for all incorrect answers. Students receive a Scaled Score and a Percentile Score (see Sample Score Report below). These metrics allow private schools to compare your child’s scores to those of other applicants who are applying for the same grade level.
A perfect score is a 99 percentile (or a 800 Scaled Score). To be competitive in the middle school and high school admissions process students should aim to score in the 90th percentile or higher.
Students can take the SSAT multiple times but we recommend strong preparation before the SSAT for the first time. Our students who were admitted to the best middle schools and private schools typically take the SSAT once or twice.
The SSAT is currently offered in three levels:
– Upper Level is for students applying to Grade 9-12
– Middle Level is for students applying to Grade 6-8
– Lower Level is for students applying to Grade 4-5
Verbal Reasoning
The Verbal Reasoning section consists of 60 questions: 30 synonym questions and 30 analogy questions. For many students the analogy questions can be difficult because they are unfamiliar with having to draw relationships between words.
Quantitative Reasoning
This section does not allow calculators and students have to answer word problems and algebra, measurement and geometry problems.
Reading Comprehension
For many students the most difficult section is the Reading Comprehension section because they have to read multiple passages under timed conditions. Students must be strong in determining the author’s intent and in identifying the author’s logical reasoning. The types of questions tested include main idea, inference, supporting ideas, vocabulary, tone and logic.
Essay
The Essay is not scored. It is sent along with your child’s score report to the schools your child is applying to. The purpose of the Essay is to have a Writing sample where students can show their writing ability and how well they can organize and express ideas on paper.
Sample Upper Level SSAT Student Report
Verbal Reasoning
The Verbal Reasoning section consists of 30 synonym and analogy questions. For many students the analogy questions can be difficult because they are unfamiliar with having to draw relationships between words.
Quantitative Reasoning
This section does not allow calculators and students have to answer word problems and algebra and geometry problems.
Reading Comprehension
For this section students must read seven passages and answer four questions for each passage. The types of questions tested include main idea, inference, supporting ideas, vocabulary, tone and logic.
Essay
The Essay is not scored. It is sent along with your child’s score report to the schools your child is applying to. The purpose of the Essay is to have a Writing sample where students can show their writing ability and how well they can organize and express ideas on paper.
To register for the SSAT, visit www.ssat.org
About our SSAT Prep Course
Our SSAT prep courses are Private, 1-on-1 tutoring sessions and are offered for all SSAT levels (Lower, Middle and Upper). In this course, students work on the subjects they need to improve in. We begin with a Diagnostic test to have a baseline score and see what areas are weakest and then create a tailored program that will best help your child. In this prep course, one of our SSAT prep experts will help your child improve time management and test taking skills and also be stronger in foundations for each subject (Math, Reading and Verbal). Different course packages are available to best fit your score goals and timeline. Homework is assigned after every class and parent feedback is given throughout the prep course. Full-length mock practice tests are also included. To learn more, we invite you to schedule a Free Consultation.