SSAT Exam Overview
Total Score:
Elementary Level: 900-1800 points (300-600 per section)
Middle Level: 1320-2130 points (440-710 per section)
Upper Level: 1500-2400 points (500-800 per section)
Total Testing Time:
Elementary Level: 2 hours 5 minutes
Middle Level: 3 hours 10 minutes
Upper Level: 3 hours 10 minutes
Adaptive: No
Sections and Timing:
Elementary Level:
Quantitative: 30 questions, 30 min
Verbal: 30 questions, 20 min
Reading: 28 questions, 30 min
Writing Sample: 1 essay, 15 min (not graded)
Experimental: 15-17 questions, 15 min (not graded)
Middle Level:
Writing Sample: 1 essay, 25 min (not graded)
Quantitative (Part 1): 25 questions, 30 min
Reading Comprehension: 40 questions, 40 min
Verbal: 60 questions, 30 min
Quantitative (Part 2): 25 questions, 30 min
Experimental: 16 questions, 15 min (not graded)
Upper Level:
Writing Sample: 1 essay, 25 min (not graded)
Quantitative (Part 1): 25 questions, 30 min
Reading Comprehension: 40 questions, 40 min
Verbal: 60 questions, 30 min
Quantitative (Part 2): 25 questions, 30 min
Experimental: 16 questions, 15 min (not graded)
Scoring Details:
Elementary Level: Points for correct answers; no penalties for incorrect answers.
Middle and Upper Levels: Points for correct answers; 1/4 point deduction for incorrect answers; no penalty for omitted questions.
Score reports provide percentile rankings compared to other test-takers.
Writing Sample (Essay) Grading:
Not graded but sent to schools as part of the application.
Calculator Policy:
Not allowed on any section.
Experimental Questions:
Not scored; included to test future questions.
FAQs:
Test-taking options: Standard paper test, Flex test, Online (not for Elementary), at home, or at Prometric centers.
Test frequency: Standard paper test up to 5 times/year; up to 3 online tests and 1 Flex test per test season (Aug 1 - July 31).
Score reporting time: 1-2 weeks.
Score validity: Scores valid for 2 testing years.
Breaks:
Elementary Level: One 15-minute break.
Middle and Upper Levels: Two 10-minute breaks.