One-to-one SSAT prep tutoring - sessions can occur in-home, at our offices, online via lessonspace, at a local library or coffee shop.

SSAT Format and scoring

Writing sample – 25 minutes (two prompts are provided: essay or creative) 
5 minute break
Math – 30 minutes (25 questions)
Reading – 40 minutes (40 questions)
10 minute break
Verbal – 30 minutes (60 questions)
Math – 30 minutes (25 questions) 

The SSAT is a private school admissions test. The SSAT is offered 8 times per year on predetermined national testing dates. Students can also take a flex test one-to-one or in a small group setting (setup through an IECA member). Students can take all national testing dates and a flex test. Students lose a quarter of one point for each question they answer incorrectly, and they neither gain nor lose points when they leave a question blank. Students must know when to skip or guess on the SSAT. The essay is not scored and is used by admissions offices to assess the student’s writing style. The multiple choice section of the test also contains attractor answers. These try to lure the student into picking a false answer. The math section is comprised mostly of arithmetic, but also contains ten or so geometry-based questions. The verbal section is basically split into two, synonyms and analogies. The analogies come second, after the synonyms, and tend to be more difficult. The reading section is the only section where the questions do not progress in level of difficulty. There is also an experimental section at the end of the second math section. Unlike the ISEE, the SSAT does not allow any type of watch during testing.

Many private schools require the SSAT as an entrance exam. We offer tutoring for the middle level and upper level tests. The middle level test is taken by 5th, 6th, and 7th graders. The upper level test is taken by 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. An official SSAT score report will contain scale scores and percentile ranks. Students are ranked based upon grade level and also gender. Students receive percentile ranks for math, verbal, and reading.  The percentile ranks are comprised of students in the same grade level that have taken the test for the first time. Top schools will look for percentile ranks in the 70th, 80th, and 90th percentiles. Middle of the road schools will look for 40th, 50th, and 60th percentile ranks. Private schools typically don’t publish this information on their website, so you will have to call and ask what type of scores they look for. We include SSAT diagnostic reports as part of our SSAT prep program.  

SSAT Prep Locations:

Bethesda MD - 3 Bethesda Metro Center Suite 700, Bethesda, MD 20814 

Northern VA - 12020 Sunrise Valley Drive Suite 100, Reston, VA 20191

Richmond VA - 4870 Sadler Road Suite 300, Glen Allen, VA 23060

Raleigh NC - 8601 Six Forks Road Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27615

Charlotte NC - 15720 Brixham Hill Avenue Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28277  

Atlanta GA - 3372 Peachtree Road, Suite 115, Atlanta, GA 30326

Nashville TN - 40 Burton Hills Boulevard, Suite 200, Nashville, TN, 37215

Louisville KY - 10200 Forest Green Blvd., Suite 112, Louisville, KY, 40223

Cincinnati OH - 8044 Montgomery Road, Suite 700, Cincinnati, OH, 45236

Columbus OH - 4449 Easton Way, 2nd Floor, Columbus, OH, 43219

We will have a SSAT tutor come to your home for one-to-one instruction. Sessions can also occur at our office, a local library, or coffee shop/Panera Bread location. We will review previous SSAT practice test scores or official SSAT scores to determine the area of focus. We can also email out a SSAT practice test to take at home and this will generate a detailed SSAT score report for analysis.

Contact us to learn more about our SSAT prep program or choose a package from below.