It is recommended to start preparing for the SSAT one year in advance. Early preparation focuses on vocabulary, so students should begin memorizing words, understanding their meanings, and mastering their usage through reading and writing, all of which can be achieved through Kate Education’s foundational courses. The next stage is the SSAT Intensive Class, where students learn key points, challenges, and test patterns through real SSAT practice questions, enhancing their exam strategies. Finally, if students want to consolidate their knowledge or achieve a score leap with teacher guidance, they can join the SSAT Intensive Prep Class before the exam. It’s ideal to take the exam 1-2 times in October-November.
SSAT Prep
SSAT Prep at Kate Language
Our SSAT prep course starts with the toughest part—vocabulary. Using the SSAT word list and daily quizzes, students quickly build a 10,000+ word bank and learn to spot synonyms and analogies efficiently.
In reading, we focus on the most challenging genres—poetry, prose, fiction, and history—to improve speed, accuracy, and comprehension.
For writing, though not scored, it’s key for admissions. We help students build strong essay structures, sharpen grammar, and develop critical thinking to write clear, deep, and fluent essays.
In math, we train students to quickly spot key info, avoid traps, and aim for a perfect score.
Explore our top scorer board to see how we help students achieve their academic goals.
What is the SSAT exam?
The SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) is a key entrance exam used by private middle and high schools in the United States, Canada, and other countries. First introduced in 1957 by the Secondary School Admission Test Board (SSATB), based in Princeton, New Jersey, the SSAT is selected independently by many private schools as part of their admissions process.
Today, the SSAT is offered at over 750 test centers worldwide, with registration closing about three weeks before the test date.
There are two main levels of the SSAT:
Middle Level: For students currently in grades 5–7
Upper Level: For students currently in grades 8–11
Scores vary slightly depending on the level taken.
What does the SSAT test?
The SSAT primarily measures a student’s skills in math, English, and reading comprehension. The test is divided into four sections:
Quantitative (Math)
Verbal
Reading
Writing (Essay)
There are two levels of the test:
Middle Level: For students currently in grades 5–7
Upper Level: For students currently in grades 8–11
For students below grade 5, most schools do not require the SSAT. Instead, they may rely on interviews and possibly an internal entrance exam.
Scoring:
Middle Level: Each section is scored between 440 and 710, with a total score range of 1320–2130
Upper Level: Each section is scored between 500 and 800, with a total score range of 1500–2400
The writing sample is not scored, but it is sent directly to the schools selected by the student and is an important part of the admissions review.
For a detailed breakdown of the SSAT sections, visit the SSAT.org official guide.
Why Choose Our SSAT Prep Program?
SSAT Prep FAQs
When should I start preparing for the SSAT?
What is the meaning of the Percentile in SSAT scores?
The SSAT percentile reflects how a student’s performance compares to other test-takers of the same age and gender globally over the past three years. The higher the percentile, the stronger the student’s performance (ranging from 1%-99%).
For Upper Level students, a score of at least 2200 and a percentile of 85% or higher in each section is typically required for top-tier private schools in Toronto.
For Middle Level students, a score of 1950+ and a percentile of 85% or higher in each section are key factors for admission to various private high schools.
How important is the SSAT score for applying to top-tier private schools?
Many private schools in Toronto accept international students, with the exception of the University of Toronto Schools, which only accepts Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The majority of top-tier private schools require SSAT scores for applicants in Grade 9 and above, except for Appleby School, which does not require SSAT scores for local students whose first language is English and who complete their application by October 31 each year.
To attend a private school in Toronto, students must take the SSAT. Successfully passing the exam is essential to gaining admission to renowned private schools and taking the first step towards entering top U.S. universities.
Around 300 private schools worldwide require SSAT scores for admission, and over 300 additional schools give preference to applicants who submit SSAT scores. For international students, SSAT scores are even more important, especially when applying for boarding schools, as schools use SSAT results to assess the student’s English proficiency.
You can find the SSAT score requirements for the Top 10 private schools in Toronto on the “Toronto Kate Education” WeChat official account. Additionally, preparing for the SSAT helps students adapt to the North American education system, improve their English skills, and lay a solid foundation for excelling in the SAT and gaining admission to top U.S. universities.
Does taking the SSAT multiple times affect private school applications?
Since 2010, when registering for the SSAT, students must choose which schools will receive their scores. It’s important for parents to note that schools can see how many times a student has taken the SSAT within a given test year (August to July). They will also be able to easily view the weighted scores and percentiles from each test. If you take the test multiple times during the current testing year, your official score report will indicate the number of times you’ve taken the exam.
If the schools accepting your scores wish to, they can verify your scores from other test dates within the same year. However, only the highest score will be sent to the schools; other test results (including the writing sample) are not directly sent, but schools can review the weighted scores and percentiles for comparison or “verification.” Many schools indicate that they are primarily interested in the highest score from any of the test dates, and they assume that if a student has taken the test multiple times but only submits one score report, that score is considered the student’s best. Scores from multiple tests are not combined or averaged; each test score is considered independently. Tests that are not taken are not reported to the schools.
How many words should you write in the SSAT Writing Section?
In the SSAT exam, while the writing section is not scored, there are three key points that both parents and students should be aware of:
Each student’s writing sample is sent directly to the selected private schools, where the admissions officers assess the writing skills.
Writing ability is crucial to admissions officers. Almost all private schools still require a writing sample during campus interviews.
If there is a discrepancy between the writing sample submitted during the SSAT and the writing in the application materials, it could raise concerns about the applicant’s integrity.
Given the importance of the writing section, how many words should you write? The SSAT writing task requires you to complete a narrative or argumentative essay within 25 minutes. While there is no official word count requirement, Kate suggests aiming for 300-400 words. Writing too few words might result in underdeveloped ideas or lack of detail, while writing too many can lead to mistakes and poor organization.
Kate recommends structuring your essay with 3 paragraphs for a narrative and 5 paragraphs for an argumentative essay. Practicing regularly and developing your own writing style will help you complete your essay effectively within the 25-minute timeframe. Cultivating a habit of writing every day will not only improve academic writing skills but also help you express thoughts quickly and coherently during the exam.
What are the formats of the SSAT? Which one is recommended?
Due to the pandemic, the SSAT has introduced three exam formats:
Traditional paper-based test
Computer-based test at authorized testing centers
Live online computer-based test at home
A student can take a maximum of two paper-based tests and five at-home computer-based tests in one academic year. It is recommended for students to register for one paper-based test and one at-home computer-based test.
How much vocabulary should one have for the SSAT?
If we must give a specific number, around 12,000 words would be ideal. However, the SSAT is not an exam based on “quantity” because it is not a test of memorizing a dictionary. When preparing for the SSAT’s vocabulary section, students need to thoroughly understand the meaning, usage, and more advanced applications of the words. Therefore, simply memorizing words will not be enough to achieve effective preparation.
Which part of the SSAT is the most difficult?
The most difficult section: Reading.
The reading section is not just about reading stories, plots, or knowledge. It is more about understanding the reading framework, structure, and the logic behind the writing. So, if you only focus on the surface, it would be too shallow.
The most easily overlooked section: Vocabulary.
As mentioned in the previous question, just relying on “quantity” won’t help you conquer this section. A deeper understanding and application of vocabulary within the context of the text are necessary.
Free SSAT Exam Practice
Kate Education provides a complete set of SSAT practice questions for both Middle Level and Upper Level. If needed, please click the button below to download.
Ability Diagnostic Test
Before enrolling in Kate Education's SSAT course program, take the diagnostic test to identify areas for improvement. Please click the button below to access the test.