The Elementary Level SSAT is comprised of the following sections:
- Quantitative (Math): Composed of math computation.
- Verbal: Vocabulary and analogy questions.
- Reading: Reading passages.
- Writing Sample: The writing sample is not scored, but schools use it to assess writing skills.
- Experimental: Mixed content questions (verbal, reading, and math). This section does not count toward reported scores.
Total Duration: 2 Hours, 5 Minutes
Part 1: Quantitative (Math)
- Number of questions: 30
- Scored section: Yes
- Time allotted: 30 minutes
The quantitative section consists of thirty items that are a mixture of basic mathematical concepts familiar to students and a few that may be a challenge. Questions on number sense, properties and operations, algebra and functions, geometry and spatial sense, measurement, and probability are included.
These questions assume an understanding of:
- 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
Students aren't permitted to use calculators in this section.
Part 2: Verbal
- Number of questions: 30
- Scored section: Yes
- Time allotted: 20 minutes
The verbal section consists of two parts for vocabulary and analogies. It tests the 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 SSAT focuses on vocabulary appropriate to all third- and fourth-grade study areas, including science, technology, and social studies.
Analogies
Analogies are comparisons between two things with similarities. These comparisons play an important role in 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 students to demonstrate an understanding of nuances in both word meanings and relationships.
Categories of analogies include:
- 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 the 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
Part 3: Break
Students are allotted a 15-minute break.
Part 4: Reading
- Number of questions: 28
- Scored section: Yes
- Time allotted: 30 minutes
The reading section consists of seven short passages with four multiple-choice questions in each. These passages may include prose, poetry, fiction, and non-fiction from diverse cultures. Questions ask students 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 text's main idea. Additionally, the reader must determine the meaning of words and phrases, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.
Part 5: Writing Sample
- Number of prompts: 1
- Scored section: No
- Time allotted: 15 minutes
The writing sample gives students a chance to express themselves by writing a response to a picture prompt. The student is asked to tell a story about an image that includes a beginning, middle, and end. The writing sample is not graded, but schools receive a copy with the student’s score report. The writing sample is unavailable to families.
Part 6: Experimental
- Number of prompts: 15–17
- Scored Section: No
- Time Allotted: 15 minutes
The experimental section quality tests future SSAT questions to ensure they are reliable, secure, and acceptable. A mixture of verbal, reading, and math, this section isn't scored.
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