The SSAT is one of two primary exams that private schools or independent schools use to test prospective candidates on their academic capabilities. While not the only criteria, performance on the ssat test is usually the baseline for admission into the school, and can often be a determining factor, when all other things are equal.
The SSAT includes a ssat math section, a verbal section that includes ssat analogies, and an essay component that is not scored but sent directly to the schools you are applying to.
The ssat test is different from most other standardized tests that your child may have taken, so it is imperative to get your hands on some practice questions that resemble what will be seen on the exam. There are also some tips and perhaps secrets about the exam that can really improve your score. For instance: should you guess if you do not know an answer? Is there a penalty for guessing incorrectly? What is a good process of elimination strategy?
There are over 100 potential ssat math topics, so a refresher or some practice is important. Some concepts that student will have learned fairly recently, but some may go back a few years. There may also be some material on the exam that the student has not covered yet in school. The test is given in two levels: The SSAT Lower Level for private middle school applicants and the ssat upper level for private high school candidates.
Since the ssat test is used to test multiple grade levels, the exam is scored in comparison to other students in the same grade level. If you child has an opportunity to pick up some extra points by doing ssat test prep, that would be highly recommended. A great resource for ssat test preparation is www.privateschoolexam.org. This website provides online tutoring and hundreds of ssat practice questions, as well as tips and tricks to do well on the exam. It is quite inexpensive compared to a private tutor or even group tutoring for that matter, and it is accessible 24 hours a day.