Students applying to grades three and higher, especially middle and high school, are commonly asked to take a standardized test such as our SSAT. The SSAT stands for Secondary School Admission Test, which covers verbal, math, and reading skills. The gold standard for standardized admission testing since 1957, the SSAT is available as a computer-based test for students to take at home or a Prometric test center, as well as a paper-based version.
Lower elementary grade students typically complete an academic assessment with a school official instead of a standardized test. International students may also have to take TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or the Duolingo English test.
It’s best to practice and take the SSAT early in the application process, so there’s time for a second testing. Many students take it once in the spring and then again in the fall. On average, middle school students retaking the SSAT see a 9–10 point improvement per section and upper school students gain 12–14 points per section.
Of course, standardized test scores alone aren’t a full measure of your child’s potential. This understanding is why we also offer the The Character Skills Snapshot, a holistic measure of your child’s preferences, attitudes, and beliefs, to help admission offices get to know who your child is in addition to what they know.
Learn More: Test-Taking Tips, The SSAT, The Character Skills Snapshot