SSAT Test

Test detail

SSAT Test

1. Overview

The SSAT test is a standardized test used by admission officers to assess the abilities of students seeking to enroll in an independent school in the United States. The SSAT test measures the basic verbal, math, and reading skills students need for successful performance in independent schools.

IIG Vietnam has proudly been an EMA’s official representative that can administer SSAT tests in Vietnam since 2020. The SSAT test is administered by the Enrollment Management Association (EMA), a nonprofit organization that provides professional support, advocacy, and smart, strategic enrollment tools to the enrollment offices of more than 1300 independent schools.

2. SSAT Test Takers

Elementary Level SSAT – For children currently in 3rd and 4th grades who are applying for admission to 4th and 5th grades.
Middle Level SSAT – For children currently in grades 5-7 who seek admission to grades 6 through 8..
Upper Level SSAT – For children currently in grades 8-11 who are applying for admission to grades 9 through PG (Post Graduate).

*Note: A student’s SSAT score is compared only with other students (same grade/ gender) who take the SSAT test to apply for admission to some of the most selective independent schools in the United States.

3. SSAT Format & Content

The SSAT is a pencil and paper test.

SSAT Elementary level test format

The total number of questions: 104-106. Duration: 2 hours, 5 minutes

Section	Time allotted	Number of Questions	Content
Quantitative/Math	30 minutes	30	A mixture of familiar basic mathematical concept familiar to students, as well as a few that may be a challenge.
Verbal	20 minutes	30	Vocabulary and analogies questions
Break	15 minutes
Reading	30 minutes	28	Short passages with multiple-choice questions.
Writing Sample	15 minutes	1	There is one story-writing prompt. This story is not scored, but schools use it to assess writing skills.
Experimental Section	15 minutes	15-17	One section of mixed content questions (verbal, reading, and math). This section does not count toward reported scores

SSAT Middle and Upper level test format

The total number of questions: 167, total testing time: 3 hours, 5 minutes

Section	Number of Questions	Time allotted	Content
Writing Sample	1	25 minutes	An essay or a story. This writing sample is not scored but used by the school admission officers to assess a student’s writing skills.
Break		5 minutes
Quantitative (Section 1)	25	30 minutes	Questions on algebra, geometry, and other quantitative concepts
Reading (Section 2)	40	40 minutes	Questions based on reading passages
Break		10 minutes
Verbal (Section 3)	60	30 minutes	Questions on vocabulary, verbal reasoning, and ability to relate ideas logically
Quantitative (Section 4)	25	30 minutes	Questions on algebra, geometry, and other quantitative concepts
Experimental (Section 5)	25	15 minutes	One section of mixed content questions (verbal, reading, and math). This section does not count toward reported scores.