SSAT Upper Level

The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) Upper Level is a standardized admission test for students currently in grades 8 through 11 who are applying to independent and private schools in the United States and abroad. It is developed and administered by The Enrollment Management Association (formerly the Secondary School Admission Test Board). Schools use it as an independent measure of the verbal, quantitative, and reading skills that predict success in a demanding academic program.

Exam Structure and Order

The test has five timed sections plus an unscored experimental section, given in a fixed order. Three sections are scored: Quantitative (in two parts), Reading Comprehension, and Verbal. The Writing Sample is not scored but is sent to schools with your score report.

Theupperlevelssat,Intest-Dayorder

Section	Questions	Time	WhatItMeasures
WritingSample	1response(choiceofa	25min	Organization clarity andvoiceinwriting;not , ,
	creativeoranessay		scored
	prompt)
Break	—	10min	—
Quantitative1	25	30min	Arithmetic algebra geometry anddata , , ,
			concepts;nocalculator
ReadingComprehension	40	40min	Mainidea detail inference vocabularyin , , ,
			context tone purpose andliterarytechnique , , ,
Break	—	10min	—
Verbal	60(30synonyms 30 ,	30min	Vocabularybreadthandwordrelationships
	analogies)
Quantitative2	25	30min	SamecontentasQuantitative1
Experimental	16	15min	Verbal reading andmathitemsbeingtriedout , ,
			forfuturetests;notscored

Section Breakdown

Two 25-question sections that cover number concepts,

About seven or eight passages, each followed by several

fractions, decimals, and percents, ratios, measurement,

questions. Passages include literary fiction, poetry, humanities,

algebra, geometry, and data analysis and probability.

science, and social studies writing, and questions ask you to

Calculators are not allowed, so fluent mental and written

understand, interpret, and analyze what you read.

computation matters.

Thirty synonym questions (choose the word closest in

You choose one of two prompts, a creative story starter or an

meaning) and thirty analogy questions (choose the pair or

essay question, and write for 25 minutes. The response is not

word that completes the same relationship). This section

scored, but schools read it as an example of your writing and

rewards a broad vocabulary and precise reasoning about

thinking.

words.

Shareofthe150Scoredquestionsbysection

Question Format

Every scored question is multiple choice with five answer choices (A through E). Within a section you may answer questions in any order and return to earlier questions, but you may not go back to a section after time is called for it or work ahead on the next one. On the paper test you mark answers on a separate answer sheet; on the computer-based options you select answers on screen.

Scoring System

Your raw score for each section is calculated as follows: one point for each correct answer, minus one-quarter point for each wrong answer, and zero for each question you leave blank. Raw scores are converted to scaled scores.

Score	WhatItMeans
Sectionscaledscores	Verbal Quantitative and Reading are each reported on a 500–800 scale , ,
Totalscaledscore	The sum of the three section scores reported on a 1500–2400 scale ,
SSATpercentile	Comparesyourscorewiththoseofotherstudentsinthesamegradewhotestedover
	thepastthreeyears(1to99)
WritingSample	Notscored;acopyissenttotheschoolsthatreceiveyourscores

Verbal: 44 correct, 12 wrong, 4 blank

Raw score = 44 − (12 × ¼) = 44 − 3 = 41

The percentile is often the number schools look at most closely. Because the SSAT is taken by a highly qualified group of students, a percentile in the 50s is a solid result, and it is normal not to finish every question or to leave some blank.

Exam at a Glance

ExamAspect	Details
Administeredby	TheEnrollmentManagementAssociation(admissionorg) .
Whotakesit	Studentsingrades8through11applyingtoindependentandprivateschools
Questions	167 multiple-choice questions: 150 scored (50 Quantitative 40 Reading 60 Verbal) plus 16 , ,
	experimental andoneunscoredWritingSample ,
Time	About 3 hours 10 minutes including two 10 -minute breaks ,
Calculator	Notpermitted;scratchpaperisallowed
Scoring	500–800 per section; 1500–2400 total; +1 correct −¼ wrong 0 blank; percentiles by grade , ,
Testingoptions	Paper-based Standard test dates and Flex tests; SSAT at Home (U .S and Canada); computer-based .
	testingatPrometrictestcenters
Registrationfee	US andCanada:$177forapaperStandardorschoolFlextest $263forSSATatHome and$250at . . , ,
	aPrometriccenter;higherfeesapplyforinternationaltestingandlateregistration
Retesting	YoumaytaketheSSATmorethanonceinatestingyear(August1toJuly31);eachoptionhasitsown
	limits
Scorereports	Postedtoyourfamilyaccountandsenttotheschoolsyouchoose

Why the SSAT Matters

Registering and Test Day

Register through your family account on the official SSAT website, where you choose a testing option, date, and location and select the schools that will receive your scores. For a paper test, bring your admission ticket and several No. 2 pencils with erasers; scratch paper or space to work is provided. For SSAT at Home, check your computer and testing room against the requirements in advance. Calculators, phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices are not permitted during the test.