SSAT: FAQ
When should I take the SSAT test?
You can take the test in the fall or winter of the year before your entry into independent or private schools. But remember there are only 8 testing dates throughout the year, although special arrangements can be made to have an SSAT consultant administer the exam on a flexible schedule.
How do schools use your scores?
Schools use your scores in different ways: to estimate your ability to do work in a private school; to compare your performance with other applicants for admission or with your present academic record; and to help you improve skills prior to college admissions testing. Each school evaluates your scores according to its own standards and requirements.
SSAT is a testing service and cannot provide individual score evaluation.
How many times can I take the test?
Essentially, you can take the test as many times as you like. Though there are only 8 official test dates, you can always arrange an individual test with a SSAT consultant.
What is a good SSAT test score?
Anything above the 75th percentile score is great, and anything above the 90th percentile is phenomenal. But many other factors including the standards of each school you apply to, and the grade you are in, also matter.
How are scores calculated and reported?
The SSAT has a deduction for wrong answers. You receive 1 raw point for each correct answer and lose 1/4 point for each incorrect answer. This deduction is meant to dissuade you from random guessing. Instead, you must decide if you have enough information on a problem to make an educated guess.
The raw score is then converted to a scaled score. Lower Level students (grades 5-7) receive scaled scores of 230-320 on the Verbal, Math, and Reading sections or a combined score of 690-960. Upper Level students (grades 8-11) receive scaled scores of 250-350 on the Verbal, Math, and Reading sections or a combined score of 750-1050.
You will also receive percentile scores in each area which compare you to students who have taken the SSAT over the last 3 years and estimated national percentile scores, (grades 5-9 only) to compare you to the entire national population, not just SSAT takers. Finally, students in grades 7-10 receive a predicted 12th grade SAT score.
You can take the test in the fall or winter of the year before your entry into independent or private schools. But remember there are only 8 testing dates throughout the year, although special arrangements can be made to have an SSAT consultant administer the exam on a flexible schedule.
How do schools use your scores?
Schools use your scores in different ways: to estimate your ability to do work in a private school; to compare your performance with other applicants for admission or with your present academic record; and to help you improve skills prior to college admissions testing. Each school evaluates your scores according to its own standards and requirements.
SSAT is a testing service and cannot provide individual score evaluation.
How many times can I take the test?
Essentially, you can take the test as many times as you like. Though there are only 8 official test dates, you can always arrange an individual test with a SSAT consultant.
What is a good SSAT test score?
Anything above the 75th percentile score is great, and anything above the 90th percentile is phenomenal. But many other factors including the standards of each school you apply to, and the grade you are in, also matter.
How are scores calculated and reported?
The SSAT has a deduction for wrong answers. You receive 1 raw point for each correct answer and lose 1/4 point for each incorrect answer. This deduction is meant to dissuade you from random guessing. Instead, you must decide if you have enough information on a problem to make an educated guess.
The raw score is then converted to a scaled score. Lower Level students (grades 5-7) receive scaled scores of 230-320 on the Verbal, Math, and Reading sections or a combined score of 690-960. Upper Level students (grades 8-11) receive scaled scores of 250-350 on the Verbal, Math, and Reading sections or a combined score of 750-1050.
You will also receive percentile scores in each area which compare you to students who have taken the SSAT over the last 3 years and estimated national percentile scores, (grades 5-9 only) to compare you to the entire national population, not just SSAT takers. Finally, students in grades 7-10 receive a predicted 12th grade SAT score.