This article aims to give you basic and quick information about the SSAT—so you are not caught off guard (as we were) by, for example, late registration fees. The article is organized into the following sections: Levels, Formats, Timeline, Costs, and Important Policies.
See SSAT vs ISEE Section Comparisons for a section-by-section summary (with examples) of each component of the SSAT (and ISEE).
I don't go into detail about testing with accommodations in this article. See Taking the SSAT with Accommodations for more information about accommodations.
Levels
Which SSAT your child is taking depends on their age group. Since you're here for boarding schools, your child is taking the "Upper Level" SSAT (except if your child is applying to Groton's eighth grade, in which case the "Middle Level" SSAT is needed).
- Elementary Level SSAT:
- For students applying to grades 4–5
- Shorter test
- More foundational reading and math skills
- Middle Level SSAT:
- For students applying to grades 6–8
- Introduces analogies, more complex math, and denser reading
- Upper Level SSAT:
- For students applying to grades 9–12
- Includes: tougher vocabulary, multi-step math, adult-level reading passages, and sophisticated writing prompts
I mention the "elementary" and "middle" level SSATs only as a reminder to make sure you are searching for and downloading grade-appropriate vocabulary and practice tests. It was news to me that there are three SSAT levels.
Test Format Options: Which One To Choose?
Paper-Based Testing
- Administered at a testing center or school
- Traditional bubble format
- Good for students who may struggle with screen fatigue
Computer-Based Testing
- Offered at Prometric centers
- Digital interface with on-screen tools
- Immediate section navigation
- Many students may prefer this format because of both familiarity from screen-based homework, and the environment may seem more calm and controlled
At-Home Testing
- Live remote proctor
- Requires specific tech set-up
- Good for students who test best at home
- Can feel slightly awkward due to camera requirements, room scans, etc.
Flex Test
- Alternative (always) paper-based test
- Date and location are outside standard, fixed test Saturdays
- Meant to accommodate scheduling conflicts, religious reasons, or other personal circumstances
- Administered by approved entities (e.g., educational consultants or member schools)
- Should not be confused with a test with accommodations
For What It's Worth: A Few Anecdotal Notes
First, if doing a paper-based test, you may want to consider printing out practice tests for your child to complete on paper. For transparency, we did not bother to do this—namely because our daughter felt comfortable with both paper and computer-based formats.
Second, our daughter took a paper-based test administered at a local school (approximately twenty minutes away). I don't think the atmosphere bothered her much, but she did comment about kids talking loudly and joking around before the test (both while waiting to enter the building, and then while in the classroom).
Third, all three formats are available—even if your child needs accommodations. Keep in mind parents must apply for and be approved for accommodations before registering for any test (see "timeline" section below).
Timeline — Through Two Lenses
Lens #1: Generally Recommended Preparation and Testing Timeline
- August–September: Diagnostic and gap identification
- October–December: Prime testing window (your child may wish to take 2–3 official tests, which gives you the option to review scores before deciding which to send)
- January: Final testing/retesting opportunity (if you're absolutely needing it, double check if any of the schools your child is applying to accept February scores)
See SSAT Preparation Strategy and Timeline to read about our SSAT preparation approach and timeline.
Lens #2: Timeline/Timing Considerations (In No Particular Order)
Registration Timeline
There is a standard deadline and two tiers of late registration with additional fees that applies only to paper-based standard SSAT tests (we did not know this):
- Standard registration: Closes approximately three weeks before the test date—no incremental penalty fees (regular registration fee only)
- Late registration: Begins the Sunday three weeks before the test and closes two weeks before the test date—and will cost you $59 in additional penalty fees
- Rush registration: Begins two weeks before the test date and closes at 11:50PM Eastern the Wednesday before the test—and it cost us $100 in additional penalty fees
Important points to remember:
- Online registration: is a must; and it must be done through the official SSAT website
- Accommodation deadlines: if your child requires testing accommodations, the request must be submitted and approved at least four weeks before the desired test date; and registration for an accommodated test must be completed 14 days prior to the test date
Approximate Score Release Timing
- Paper: Typically within two weeks of the test date (if scores are being communicated via mail, it may take up to three weeks)
- Prometric (i.e., computer-based): Released on the Wednesday following the Sunday that ends the scoring period for the week the test was taken (in other words, since Prometric tests are administered between Monday through Sunday, the longest you may need to wait is ~9 days if a test is taken on a Monday, and the shortest would be ~3 days if the test was taken on Sunday)
- At-Home: Typically released the Wednesday following the test date
Testing Dates
- Paper tests: Are offered 6–8 times (on Saturdays) during the academic year—typically once per month from October to April, with an additional date sometimes offered in June
- Prometric: Available at various times throughout the year at professional testing centers—with days and times dependent on the specific center's schedule (generally Monday through Sunday)
- At Home: Available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the testing season for students in the U.S. and Canada
Important points to remember:
- Your child may take the SSAT multiple times; but there are limits, based on the format (upwards of eight, if your aim is emotional and brain damage)
- Paper: May take up to six per year. Computer-based (At Home and Prometric): May take a combined total of two computer-based tests per year
- Flex test: Can be taken once per year
Costs
Also be aware of some fees that seem to be new since I took the SAT:
- Score Alert ($19): Receive an instant text or e-mail notification when your student's scores are available online (or you know ... just check twice a day beginning around day nine or ten)
- Mail Delivery ($30): Receive a physical paper copy of the score report sent via USPS to your home (cannot be mailed to schools)
- FedEx Delivery ($55): Receive a physical paper copy of the score report sent via FedEx to your home (also cannot be mailed to schools)
- Writing Sample Copy ($26): Get a digital copy of your child's writing sample for your own records (schools automatically receive it)
- Rescore Grade ($59): Request a rescoring of the exam (available to middle and upper level)
Why rescore? I'm not too sure either, but the examples given on the official SSAT website involve manually checking to ensure a student's answer bubbles were properly scanned and interpreted—possibly because there is a significant discrepancy between the actual and anticipated result.
As a reminder:
- Fee waivers are available for eligible students for any test format
- International pricing is different and are generally higher than domestic fees
- Stating the obvious, any SSAT prep books and tutoring are incremental costs
Important Policies (Some Reiterated)
Score choice: You decide which test dates to send; if your child bombs a test, schools never have to know.
Test frequency: Upper Level students may take the SSAT upwards of 8 times per academic year (perhaps even 9, if your child does a Flex test).
Score Release Timeline: Typically 5–9 days for computer tests, and about two weeks for paper-based tests.
Accommodations: Build in at least 4 weeks prior to a test date to apply for an accommodation. It can take up to two weeks (possibly longer if documentation is insufficient or an appeal is needed) for your request to be received and reviewed by the accommodations team. And keep in mind: you must receive approval prior to registration, and the deadline to register for a standard paper test with approved accommodations is 14 days before the test date.