Prometric SSAT Testing

Upon check-in, the Prometric staff will confirm your student's name and information at the check-in area and mark them present. They may also remind you of the testing rules and any health and safety requirements at that center. Parents and guardians can hold onto snacks, feminine hygiene products, and prohibited items, or secure the student's personal belongings in a locker.

Students may have to wait patiently until it is time to proceed to the security check. Parents can accompany students during the security check, but you aren't allowed in the testing room, so you must return to the waiting area.

Items to Bring (And Not Bring)

Pack snacks and a drink together in a clear zip-top bag with the student’s name on it. Food is consumed during breaks and must stay with a parent in the waiting area or stored in a locker during testing. Equally important, don't bring prohibited items such as watches or calculators.

‍Parental Release Form: A parent or guardian must remain on site unless this release form is completed and provided at check-in.

The security check takes place between the waiting area and the testing room. Staff may form test-takers into a line for scanning through a metal detector or handheld wand. They will provide additional instructions if prohibited items are suspected.

Your student will be assigned a specific computer station to begin testing. Proctors constantly monitor the testing room through a large glass window and security cameras.

Test takers in the room may include other students taking the SSAT and students and adults taking different admission and licensure exams. Students with testing accommodations may test in a shared testing room or individually, depending on the site and the student’s accommodations.

Once seated, students receive a simple tutorial on navigating the SSAT and selecting answer choices on the computer, along with a reminder of the testing rules.

During testing, students read instructions on the screen; however, the test also prompts them to use headphones to hear the written instructions spoken aloud for important sections. If a student needs assistance, they should raise their hand and wait for directions.

Students may use the restroom during testing when it's not occupied, but they can't make up missed time, so it's best to wait until scheduled breaks.

The Prometric SSAT begins with the writing sample section. A dry-erase marker and a wipeable sheet are available for students to organize their thoughts, but they must complete the writing by typing on the computer keyboard. As with all sections, there is a time limit, and students receive a five-minute warning at the top of the screen before the section ends.

A ten-minute break follows the writing sample. Students can visit the restroom or access snacks and drinks in the waiting areas at this time, but they CAN'T access prohibited items, whether stored in a locker or left with a parent.

You may not discuss test content with your student, nor can they discuss test content with other test takers. Help your student by ensuring they put snacks and drinks away a couple of minutes before the end of their break, so they have time to go through security. They will report back to the same computer station. If they are late, the next section starts automatically, and they can't make up missed time.

The multiple-choice sections are next. Students mark their selected answers on the computer, and they can use the dry-erase marker and wipeable sheet for notes. They must answer at least one question in each section for the test to be scored; however, they do not need to answer each question. They should know that they receive 1 point for each correct answer, lose 1/4 point for each incorrect answer, and neither receive nor lose points for skipping a question.

Students may move ahead if they finish a section early. The breakdown of sections and their time allotments are as follows:

1. Writing Sample: 25 minutes
2. Break: 10 minutes
3. Quantitative (Math): 30 minutes
4. Reading: 40 minutes
5. Break: 10 minutes
6. Verbal: 30 minutes
7. Quantitative (Math): 30 minutes
8. Experimental: 15 minutes

Students receive an on-screen notification when the test is complete. They can exit the testing room at this time but should be quiet as others may still be testing. If a locker was used, don't forget to collect personal belongings and return the key before leaving.