| One of the keys to admission in today's | | | | becoming familiar with the test by reviewing the |
| competitive private schools is doing well on the | | | | practice questions is a good start. In addition, |
| standardized test. The SSAT, or the ISEE, are | | | | taking the practice exam in a timed environment |
| the two tests private schools use when | | | | is much better than doing the questions at a |
| considering admission. Because the majority of | | | | relaxed pace. Your child's test-taking anxiety will |
| private school applicants are declined, it is essential | | | | be reduced when they've had a chance to |
| that your child does well on the SSAT if you | | | | practice under time constraints before the day of |
| want them to attend private school. | | | | the exam. |
| The Secondary School Admission Test, or SSAT, | | | | Taking the practice tests will also give you and |
| is primarily multiple-choice with: verbal and reading | | | | your child valuable information about their areas of |
| comprehension sections, math sections and an | | | | weakness. Identifying these areas ahead of time |
| essay portion. Schools look at the average | | | | will give your student more time to increase their |
| scores, and usually have a cut-off when | | | | skill set in the areas they need help with. |
| considering admission. One thing that can make | | | | Learning specific test taking strategies, particularly |
| the exam difficult is that the SSAT is skill- based, | | | | in the areas your child struggles with, is where |
| not knowledge-based. This means that your child | | | | utilizing SSAT preparation really comes into play. |
| will not be able to do very well by simply | | | | Instead of getting an expensive private tutor, |
| memorizing facts and figures. Instead, the tests | | | | there are several online resources that can |
| will evaluate the students writing math, reading | | | | provide extensive preparation assistance at a |
| and verbal abilities. | | | | reasonable price, many of these have videos and |
| This test requires focused and specialized | | | | interactive components which are essential in |
| preparation. While there many specific tools and | | | | helping your child achieve success with the SSAT |
| strategies for the different areas of the SSAT, | | | | exam. |