Your Private SSAT Tutor Will Ensure You are Up To Date on All SSAT Strategies and Content

The SSAT test has changed and it’s important to be up-to-date on the content and test-taking strategies so your child can get the highest possible score. Working with a private tutor ensures that you will be informed of the best materials on the market and the newest changes to the SSAT test. As the following article states, it is important to use up-to-date materials and be aware of all changes to the SSAT test for best results.

Quick tips for SSAT success

November through mid-December is the prime time to take the SSAT for students seeking admission to private middle and high schools next fall. While long-term preparation is always the best plan, there is still time for students to pick up points and substantially raise scores.

Study with the best textbooks: Do practice drills and bone up on weak areas using The Princeton Review’s test prep guide. The Princeton Review has slightly updated its 2013 textbook, but the practice tests, unfortunately, do not reflect the latest changes in the SSAT. Barron’s is good for math review (Upper Level only), and an out-of-print Kaplan ISEE/SSAT textbook for the Upper Level tests (available on Amazon.com) has a good math starter review section and a set of extra drills for all test sections. Some new texts worth checking out are Cardinal Education’s “Math Workbook for the ISEE, SSAT, & HSPT Prep” and Christina B. Abbott’s “Success on the Upper Level SSAT – A Complete Course” and a companion workbook, “30 Days to Acing the Upper Level SSAT.”

The new creative essay prompt choice is terrifically open-ended. For example, the prompt “And then she came in the door,” could be the introduction to an essay about a teacher, a friend, a monster, your favorite book (perhaps introduced by way of someone interrupting your reading by coming in the door) … The possibilities are truly endless. So, take some time to prepare an adaptable essay in advance. Use your vocab lists to come up with good, big words that will impress. Do some research on a favorite subject, or something that you want admissions officers to learn about you and your interests or accomplishments. The essay isn’t scored and schools don’t consider it as important as other parts of your test results. But do write an organized essay, upbeat and to the point. It’s great to use examples that tell something about you – what you have read or studied or an important extracurricular activity you’d like to highlight to the admissions officers.