Changes to the SSAT–Private Tutoring Keeps you up to Date!

Don’t get caught with outdated materials for SSAT test prep! If your child is taking or retaking the SSAT, you need to know everything that’s new on the test. Working with a tutor ensures that you are getting the most up-to-date news on the SSAT test, to ensure the best results and high scores for your child.

There have been a few formatting changes to the SSAT, and changes to the Essay Section (more samples at the bottom):

Test Format
The Middle and Upper Level test is timed and divided into five sections. You will be given 25 minutes for the writing sample, 30 minutes each for verbal and two quantitative sections, and 40 minutes for the reading section.

Writing Sample
Key changes were made to the writing sample portion of the Middle and Upper Level SSAT for the 2012-13 testing year. For the Middle Level, students are presented with a choice of two creative prompts, from which the student will choose one. For the Upper Level, students are presented with a choice of two prompts (one creative, one essay) from which the student will choose one. No change was made to the time in which students complete the writing sample (25 minutes) but students now have the ability to write on two pages instead of one. SSATB member schools believed this would be particularly helpful for younger students who may simply write bigger. The writing sample is not scored by SSAT, and you can purchase a copy of your writing sample online for a $20 fee.

Quantitative (Math)
Consists of two sections of 25 questions each. You will be required to do math computation similar to what you do in school or what is useful in everyday life.

Verbal
Consists of 30 synonym and 30 analogy questions.

Reading Comprehension
Includes 40 questions based on about 7 reading passages. These questions measure your ability to read and comprehend what you read.

Experimental Section
Administrations of the SSAT in 2012-13 will also include an experimental section, consisting of 16 questions. This section is unscored, but features questions that may appear on future versions of the SSAT.

****There are sample questions here:
http://www.ssat.org/ssat/test/test-prep-sample.html

Including more info on the essay:
Writing Sample

25 minutes, choice of two writing prompts. Your writing sample will be used by admission officers to assess your writing skills. The exercise is not scored by SSAT, but a copy of your writing sample is forwarded to each school you request as a score recipient. Additionally, families may purchase the writing sample for an extra fee.

Middle Level Directions:
Schools would like to get to know you better through a story you tell using one of the ideas below. Please choose the idea you find most interesting and write a story using the idea as your first sentence. Please select the topic you find most interesting and fill in the circle next to the topic you choose.

Sample Topics:
I looked into its eyes and suddenly …
The classroom was empty.
Upper Level Directions:
Schools would like to get to know you better through an essay or story using one of the two topics below. Please select the topic you find most interesting and fill in the circle next to the topic you choose.

Sample Topics:
If you could do something over again, what would it be and why?
He couldn’t believe they wanted his help.