SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) Exam Survival Guide

Audience: Independent schools (Elem/Middle/Upper) | Sections: Verbal, Quantitative (I & II), Reading, Writing (unscored), Experimental

Must-do topics

• Verbal: synonyms, analogies (classic relationships).
• Quantitative: arithmetic, algebra basics, geometry, number theory.
• Reading: literary + informational; main idea, inference, tone/purpose.
• Writing: narrative or essay prompt (unscored but sent to schools).

Top traps

• Rare-word synonyms without roots strategy.
• Analogy relationship guessed, not named.
• Ignoring geometry vocabulary (alt. interior, bisector).
• Reading: tone vs purpose confusion.

Quick checks

• Root strategy: bene = good → beneficial ≈ helpful.
• Analogy: KEY : LOCK :: PASSWORD : ACCOUNT.
• Geometry: sum of interior angles of triangle = 180°.
• Reading: underline thesis sentence & 2 supports.

You will make

• Root/prefix/suffix deck (100 high-yield).
• Analogy relationship map (part:whole, cause:effect, type, function).
• Geometry one-pager (angles, triangles, area).
• Reading annotation codes (thesis, shift, counter).

Last-48h checklist

• 20 synonym drills (roots first).
• 15 analogies (state relationship before picking).
• 15 math (mix geometry/algebra).
• 2 Reading passages (timeboxed).
• Write 1 practice essay intro + outline (12 min cap).

Speed tactics

• Skip obscure synonym first pass; return with time.
• In analogies, test both directions (“A is to B as C is to D”).
• Reading: topic sentences + conclusion first, then detail Qs.

Day-of plan

• Warm-up: 6 synonyms, 6 analogies, 4 math.
• Keep a steady cadence; don’t chase any one Q >60–75s.