EMA SSAT Exam (Secondary School Admission Test) Detailed Information
Elementary
SSAT Format
Section
Number of Questions
Duration
Quantitative/Math
30 minutes
Verbal
20 minutes
Break
15 minutes
Reading
30 minutes
Writing Sample
1 prompt
15 minutes
Totals
1 hour, 50 minutes
Download 3rd Grade
SSAT Sample Questions
Download 4th Grade
SSAT Sample Questions
Scoring and Score Reporting
A free copy of your child’s score report will be available online via your
SSAT account. For an additional fee,
SSAT will report scores by mail or FedEx. Score alerts via text or email can also be ordered via the
SSAT account.
Your child's Elementary
SSAT score report will contain the following information:
Number of Items: The number of items in the content sections and subsections.
Number Correct: The number of correct answers for the content sections and subsections.
Percent Correct: The percentage of correct answers for the content sections and subsections.
Scaled Score: A score which has a range of values from 300 to 600. The mean value of the content sections' scaled scores is 450.
Scaled Score Percentile Rank: The scaled score percentile rank is a score which has values from 1 to 99. It compares performance to other students taking the same examination.
Total Scaled Score: The total scaled score is the sum of the scaled scores for the quantitative, verbal, and reading sections. It has a low value of 900, a high value of 1800, and a mean of 1350.
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Registration & Fees
The registration fee for the Elementary Level
SSAT is $80. To register:
Create an
SSAT Account.
Apply for testing accommodations, if needed: Preapproval is required before a test registration can be created. Visit the testing accommodations section for more information.
Choose a test date and site: Use our easy Test Center Search to find a site close to home. Please note that Standard testing for the Elementary Level
SSAT begins in December.
Select Score Recipients (use the school's name): You may list the schools to which your child is applying during online registration or wait until after you receive the scores.
Order Additional Services:
SSAT offers, for additional fees, options to receive a printed copy of your scores by mail or FedEx and alerts to view your scores the moment they are available.
Pay: Fees are payable by credit card (Visa, Discover, and MasterCard). Fee waivers are available from member schools for those in need. Contact the member school to which you are applying in order to receive a fee waiver.
Print your Admission Ticket: These tickets list important test information including administration policies, location details, special instructions, and items to bring with you on test day.
The flex test option is not available for the Elementary level test.
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What to Expect on Test Day
Be sure to have your child’s printed
SSAT Admission Ticket with you when you travel to the test site. Your child will be checked in to the test site by the administrator and will take a seat in the testing room. Parents are not allowed in the testing room.
Once all students are seated, the proctor will begin. The proctor will read a series of instructions to ensure that students have the correct test booklet and that they understand how to mark their answers in the test booklet. Testers mark their answers directly in the test booklets by coloring in the circle next to their answer choice.
Children will be directed by the proctor throughout the process and allowed to use the restroom or have a quick snack during the scheduled breaks If your child must use the restroom at another time during the test, please be aware that the time lost cannot be made up. When the test is over, the proctor will collect all materials and excuse the children from the test room.
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About Each Test Section
Quantitative Section
Number of questions: 30
Scored section: Yes
Time allotted: 30 minutes
The quantitative section consists of thirty items that are a mixture of familiar basic mathematical concept familiar to students, as well as a few that may be a challenge. Included are questions on number sense, properties and operations, algebra and functions, geometry and spatial sense, measurement, and probability. These questions assume your student understands the following concepts:
Basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
Place value
Ordering of numbers (greater than, less than)
Fractions
Basic concepts of geometry (shapes and their attributes)
Basic concepts of measurement
Interpretation of graphs
Verbal Section
Number of questions: 30
Scored section: Yes
Time allotted: 20 minutes
The verbal section of the test has two parts. The first is a vocabulary section and the second is an analogies section. These sections test understanding of language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings by relating them to words with similar but not identical meanings (synonyms).
Synonyms
Synonyms are words with the same or similar meanings. For example, large and big are synonyms, as are beautiful and pretty. The Elementary
SSATs focus on vocabulary appropriate to third and fourth grades, pulling words from all areas of study, including science, technology, and social studies.
Analogies
Analogies are a comparison between two things usually seen as different, but that have some similarities. These comparisons play an important role in the development of problem solving and decision-making skills, perception and memory, communication and reasoning, reading, and vocabulary building. Analogies help students process information actively, make important decisions, and improve understanding and long-term memory. These questions require the student to demonstrate an understanding of nuances in both word meanings and relationships.
There are numerous categories of analogies, including:
Opposites or antonyms: up is to down as short is to tall
Synonyms or words with identical or similar meanings: big is to large as little is to small
Characteristic: pillow is to soft as blanket is to warm
Part to whole: trunk is to tree as stem is to flower
Uses: broom is to sweep as pencil is to write
Users: hammer is to carpenter as brush is to painter
Category: robin is to bird as shark is to fish
Product to Producer: poem is to poet as sculptor is to statue
Degree: snow is to blizzard as rain is to hurricane
Homonyms: four is to for as see is to sea
Reading Section
Number of questions: 28
Scored section: Yes
Time allotted: 30 minutes
The reading section consists of seven short passages, each with four multiple-choice questions. These passages may include prose, poetry, fiction, and non-fiction from diverse cultures. Students are asked to locate information and find meaning by skimming and close reading. They are also asked to demonstrate literal, inferential, and evaluative comprehension. The reader must demonstrate an understanding of key ideas and details to determine the main idea of the text. Additionally, the reader must determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.
Writing Sample
Number of prompts: 1
Scored section: No
Time allotted: 15 minutes
The writing sample gives the student a chance to express him/herself through written response to a picture prompt. The student is asked to look at a picture and tell a story about what happened and to be sure his/her story includes a beginning, a middle, and an end. This writing sample is not graded but a copy is provided to schools along with the student’s score report.
Test Format
The Middle Level
SSAT is a multiple-choice test for students currently in grades 5-7 that consists of verbal, quantitative (math), and reading comprehension sections.
Section
Number of Questions
Duration
Writing Sample
1 (unscored)
25 minutes
Break
5 minutes
Quantitative
30 minutes
Reading
40 minutes
Break
10 minutes
Verbal
30 minutes
Quantitative
30 minutes
Experimental
15 minutes
Totals
3 hours, 5 minutes
Of the 167 items including the writing sample, only 150 questions are scored.
Download Middle Level
SSAT Sample Questions
Writing Sample
You will have a choice between two creative story starters.
What it measures: This gives admission officers a feel for how well you write and organize your ideas.
This section is not scored, but it is included with the score report you send to schools.
Time allotted: 25 minutes
At the beginning of the test, you are given 25 minutes to write a story based on one of two provided creative prompts. This writing sample is sent to the admission officers at the schools to which you send score reports, to help them assess your writing skills. This section is not scored, and it is not included in the student score report unless you purchase it separately.
Quantitative (Math) Section
Number of questions: 50, broken into two parts
What it measures: Your ability to solve problems involving arithmetic, elementary algebra, geometry, and other concepts
Scored section: Yes
Time allotted: 30 minutes for each section of 25 questions
Topics covered:
Number Concepts and Operations
• Arithmetic word problems (including percent, ratio)
• Basic concepts of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• Estimation
• Rational numbers
• Sequences and series
• Frequencies
Algebra (elementary concepts of algebra)
• Properties of exponents
• Algebraic word problems
• Equations of lines
• Patterns
• Absolute value
Geometry/Measurement
• Area and circumference of a circle
• Area and perimeter of a polygon
• Volume of a cube, cylinder, box
• Pythagorean theory and properties of right, isosceles, equilateral triangles
• Properties of parallel and perpendicular lines
• Coordinate geometry
• Slope
Data analysis/probability
• Interpretation (tables, graphs)
• Trends and inferences
• Probability
The two quantitative (mathematics) sections of the Middle Level
SSAT measure your knowledge of algebra, geometry, and other quantitative concepts. You do not require and may not use a calculator for this section.
Many of the questions that appear in the quantitative sections of the Middle Level
SSAT are structured in mathematical terms that directly state the operation you need to perform; others may not. In these problems, carefully consider how the question is worded and the way the information is presented to determine the operation(s) to perform.
Reading Comprehension Section
Number of questions: 40
What it measures: Your ability to read and comprehend what you read
Scored section: Yes
Time allotted: 40 minutes
Topics covered: Reading passages generally range in length from 250 to 350 words and may be taken from:
• Literary fiction
• Humanities (biography, art, poetry)
• Science (anthropology, astronomy, medicine)
• Social studies (history, sociology, economics)
Questions related to the passage may ask you to:
• Recognize the main idea
• Locate details
• Make inferences
• Derive the meaning of a word or phrase from its context
• Determine the author’s purpose
• Determine the author’s attitude and tone
• Understand and evaluate opinions/arguments
• Make predictions based on information in the passage
By presenting passages and questions about them, the reading comprehension section measures your ability to understand what you read. After you read each passage, you’ll be asked questions about its content or about the author’s style, intent, or point of view. In general, the
SSAT uses two types of writing: narrative, which includes excerpts from novels, poems, short stories, or essays; and argument, which presents a definite point of view about a subject.
Verbal Section
Number of questions: 60; 30 synonyms and 30 analogies
What it measures: Vocabulary, verbal reasoning, and ability to relate ideas logically
Scored section: Yes
Time allotted: 30 minutes
Topics covered: This section covers word similarities and relationships through synonyms and analogies.
The verbal section of the Middle Level
SSAT asks you identify synonyms and to interpret analogies. The synonym questions test the strength of your vocabulary. The analogy questions measure your ability to relate ideas to each other logically.
Synonyms are words that have the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. For example, fortunate is a synonym for lucky, tidy is a synonym for neat, and difficult is a synonym for hard. You must choose the answer word that has a meaning similar to the given word.
Analogies are comparisons between two things that are usually seen as different but have some similarities. These types of comparisons play an important role in improving problem-solving and decision-making skills, in perception and memory, in communication and reasoning skills, and in reading and building vocabulary. Analogies help you process information actively, make important decisions, and improve understanding and long-term memory. Considering these relationships stimulates critical and creative thinking.
Experimental Section
Number of questions: 16
What it measures: New questions are continuously being tested for future
SSAT forms. These questions appear on the
SSAT to ensure they are reliable, secure, and acceptable.
Scored section: No
Time allotted: 15 minutes
Topics covered: This section contains six verbal, five reading, and five quantitative questions for you to answer.
Test Format
The Upper Level
SSAT is a multiple-choice test for students currently in grades 8-11 that consists of verbal, quantitative (math), and reading comprehension sections, plus an unscored writing sample. Familiarity with the format of the test and review of practice questions will make your test-taking experience easier.
Section
Number of Questions
Duration
Writing Sample
1 (unscored)
25 minutes
Break
5 minutes
Quantitative 1
30 minutes
Reading
40 minutes
Break
10 minutes
Verbal
30 minutes
Quantitative 2
30 minutes
Experimental
15 minutes
Totals
3 hours, 5 minutes
Of the 167 items including the writing sample, only 150 questions are scored.
Download Upper Level
SSAT Sample Questions
Writing Sample
You have a choice between two prompts - one creative and one traditional essay.
The writing sample gives admission officers a feel for how well you write and organize your ideas.
The writing sample is not scored, but it is included with the score reports that you send to schools.
Time allotted: 25 minutes
At the beginning of the test, you will be asked to write an essay or a story in 25 minutes. You are given a choice between two prompts: one creative writing prompt and one essay-type prompt. This writing sample is sent to the admission officers at the schools to which you send score reports, to help them assess your writing skills. This section is not scored, and it is not included in the student score report unless you purchase it separately.
Quantitative (Math) Section
Number of questions: 50, given in two 30-minute sections
What it measures: Your ability to solve problems involving arithmetic, elementary algebra, geometry, and other concepts
Scored section: Yes
Time allotted: 30 minutes for each section of 25 questions
Topics covered:
Number Concepts and Operations
• Arithmetic word problems (including percent, ratio)
• Basic concepts of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• Estimation
• Rational numbers
• Sequences and series
• Frequencies
Algebra (elementary concepts of algebra)
• Properties of exponents
• Algebraic word problems
• Equations of lines
• Patterns
• Absolute value
Geometry/Measurement
• Area and circumference of a circle
• Area and perimeter of a polygon
• Volume of a cube, cylinder, box
• Pythagorean theory and properties of right, isosceles, equilateral triangles
• Properties of parallel and perpendicular lines
• Coordinate geometry
• Slope
Data analysis/probability
• Interpretation (tables, graphs)
• Trends and inferences
• Probability
The two quantitative (mathematics) sections of the Upper Level
SSAT measure your knowledge of algebra, geometry, and other quantitative concepts. You do not require and may not use a calculator for this section.
Many of the questions that appear in the quantitative sections of the Upper Level
SSAT are structured in mathematical terms that directly state the operation you need to perform; others may not. In these problems, carefully consider how the question is worded and the way the information is presented to determine the operation(s) to perform.
Reading Comprehension Section
Number of questions: 40
What it measures: Your ability to read and comprehend what you read
Scored section: Yes
Time allotted: 40 minutes
Topics covered: Reading passages generally range in length from 250 to 350 words and may be taken from:
• Literary fiction
• Humanities (biography, art, poetry)
• Science (anthropology, astronomy, medicine)
• Social studies (history, sociology, economics)
Questions related to the passage may ask you to:
• Recognize the main idea
• Locate details
• Make inferences
• Derive the meaning of a word or phrase from its context
• Determine the author's purpose
• Determine the author's attitude and tone
• Understand and evaluate opinions/arguments
• Make predictions based on information in the passage
By presenting passages and questions about them, the reading comprehension section measures your ability to understand what you read. After you read each passage, you’ll be asked questions about its content or about the author’s style, intent, or point of view. In general, the
SSAT uses two types of writing: narrative, which includes excerpts from novels, poems, short stories, or essays; and argument, which presents a definite point of view about a subject.
Verbal Section
Number of questions: 60; 30 synonyms and 30 analogies
What it measures: Vocabulary, verbal reasoning, and ability to relate ideas logically
Scored section: Yes
Time allotted: 30 minutes
Topics covered: This section covers word similarities and relationships through synonyms and analogies.
The verbal section of the Upper Level
SSAT asks you identify synonyms and to interpret analogies. The synonym questions test the strength of your vocabulary. The analogy questions measure your ability to relate ideas to each other logically.
Synonyms are words that have the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. For example, fortunate is a synonym for lucky, tidy is a synonym for neat, and difficult is a synonym for hard. You must choose the answer word that has a meaning similar to the given word.
Analogies are comparisons between two things that are usually seen as different but have some similarities. These types of comparisons play an important role in improving problem-solving and decision-making skills, in perception and memory, in communication and reasoning skills, and in reading and building vocabulary. Analogies help you process information actively, make important decisions, and improve understanding and long-term memory. Considering these relationships stimulates critical and creative thinking.
Experimental Section
Number of questions: 16
What it measures: New questions are continuously being tested for future
SSAT forms. These questions appear on the
SSAT to ensure they are reliable, secure, and acceptable.
Scored section: No
Time allotted: 15 minutes
Topics covered: This section contains six verbal, five reading, and five quantitative questions.
