What You Need to Know About the SSAT Test

What level of the SSAT test will my student need to take?
Your student’s test level is automatically selected according to the grade you select at registration.

Students listed in 3rd grade will take the 3rd grade Elementary level test.
Students listed in 4th grade will take the 4th grade Elementary level test.
Students listed in 5th, 6th, or 7th grade will take the Middle level test.
Students listed in 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th grade will take the Upper level test.

You may choose to list your student at a grade that is higher or lower than their actual grade. Often families will list their student as one grade higher near the end of the school year to gauge how they might perform the following year. Additionally, if a student is repeating a grade, a school may ask the student to indicate one grade lower, so they can be compared to their new classmates.

Is the test online or on paper?
The SSAT test is a pencil and paper test. For each question, your student will use a pencil to fill in a circle for the answer they have chosen. For Elementary Level tests, students fill in the answer directly in the test book. For Middle and Upper Level tests, students fill in the answer on a separate answer sheet. Students from all levels will also complete a writing sample in pencil.

How many times can I take the SSAT test?
You can take one SSAT Flex test per testing year (August 1st to July 31st), in addition to all eight SSAT Standard tests.

What is the difference between a Standard and Flex test?
The SSAT test is offered on 8 Saturdays between October and June at hundreds of locations throughout the U.S., Canada, and around the world. These 8 administrations are called Standard tests. A Flex test is an SSAT given on a day other than the 8 Standard test dates, usually with a member school or educational consultant.

Can I register for a test without listing score recipients?
Yes. You may choose to register and test without listing any score recipients. Remember, you can list score recipients before or after testing free of charge.

All questions and answers from ssat.org. Can’t find your question? For more FAQs, please click here.