Depending on the exact private school(s) you intend on applying to, the test used could vary. Another assessment private schools may use is the SSAT, the Secondary School Admission Test. There are three levels: the Elementary Level (grades 3-4); the Middle Level (grades 5-7); the Upper Level (grades 8-11). Each one has a slightly different organization of sections.
For example, the Elementary Level SSAT is broken down in the following five portions:
- Quantitative (Math): One section of 30 questions in 30 minutes.
- Verbal: 30 vocabulary and analogy questions in 20 min (note: a 15 min break is usually given after this section).
- Reading: 28 questions based on reading passages to be completed in 30 minutes.
- Writing Sample: Student is given a prompt and 15 minutes to respond to it. The writing sample is not scored, but schools use it to assess writing skills.
- Experimental: One section of mixed content questions (verbal, reading, and math). This section does not count toward reported scores. (15-17 questions in 15 min).
In total, the test lasts two hours and five minutes and contains 104-106 questions in all subjects combined. For all the scored sections (Quantitative, Reading Comprehension, and Verbal Reasoning) the test is scored on a scale of 300-600.
The Middle/Upper Level SSAT is very similar, but is arranged in a different manner.
- Writing Sample: 1 essay topic in 25 min. (note: 15 min break after this section).
- Quantitative (Math): 25 questions, 30 min
- Reading: 28 questions based on reading passages to be completed in 30 minutes.
- Writing Sample: Student is given a prompt and 15 minutes to respond to it. The writing sample is not scored, but schools use it to assess writing skills.
- Experimental: One section of mixed content questions (verbal, reading, and math). This section does not count toward reported scores. (15-17 questions in 15 min).
For Middle Level SSAT, test-takers are scored on a scale of 440 to 710. By contrast, Upper Level test scores are scaled on a 500 to 800 range. You may be wondering how to interpret these scores. For this concern reach out to whatever school you will be submitting scores to. They will tell you how the scores are being used. Most of the time it is to ensure all admitted students surpass a threshold the school has deemed significant. Also the score may determine what classes the student may be placed into.
