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Thinking about applying to one of New York’s top-tier private schools? You’re not alone—and your kid doesn’t have to prep alone either. At Cardinal Education, we turn SSAT prep into a smart, strategic process. That means one-on-one tutoring, realistic full-length practice tests, and strategies that are built for ambitious students and busy families.
The Secondary School Admission Test, or SSAT, is the admissions gatekeeper for many of New York’s most selective private elementary, middle, and high schools. It measures how strong your child is in verbal reasoning, math, and reading comprehension. In other words, it’s not something to wing.
The good news? It’s offered several times a year, and with the right prep, you’ll get focused tutoring with full practice tests. As such, your child can walk in calm and come out confident!
New York families don’t settle for average, and neither do we. At Cardinal Education, SSAT prep is tailored to every one of our students. We build custom strategies around each student’s quirks, strengths, and dream schools. No boring templates, just smart, focused prep that works.
In New York, we don’t do anything halfway, especially not SSAT prep. Our practice tests are built to look, feel, and challenge just like the real thing, so your child walks in ready, not rattled.
Our full-length diagnostic exams pinpoint exactly where students stand and what areas need work. We track improvement to make sure we’re on the right path.
Timing is everything in New York, and the SSAT is no different. Our timed tests help students build pacing skills, stay calm under pressure, and walk into test day feeling like total pros.
Reading, math, verbal, writing—we break it all down. Our materials mirror the real SSAT format so students can get comfy with every question type and walk in knowing exactly what to expect.
The earlier students begin, the more time they have to absorb new skills, take SSAT practice tests, and improve scores.
We recommend kicking things off about 4 to 6 months before test day. That gives plenty of breathing room for steady progress, review, and real growth.
We get it. Life happens. If time is tight, our accelerated programs and smart, last-minute strategies can still make a big difference. Think of it as power-prepping (without the burnout.)
Practice makes you confident. Learn how mock tests can reduce test-day stress, build stamina, and boost your child’s performance where it counts.
Stuck between two entrance exams? This blog lays out the key differences between the SSAT and ISEE so you can make the smartest choice for your student.
Take the First Step Toward Private School Admissions Success
A strong SSAT score doesn’t just open doors—it gets you a seat at the table. Whether you’re in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Upper East Side, or anywhere across the city, Cardinal Education has expert tutors to help your child shine. We bring strategy, structure, and just the right push to turn potential into performance.
It’s easier than finding parking near Central Park. Start by visiting SSAT.org and creating a parent account. From there, you’ll select the correct SSAT level based on your child’s grade, choose a test format (paper, at-home, or Prometric), and pick a test date that works for your schedule.
There are plenty of locations around the city, including Manhattan and Brooklyn, so you won’t have to travel far. Prefer to stay cozy at home? Go for the remote version with a proctor watching online. Just don’t wait too long. Test dates fill up fast in New York, especially in the fall.
If you’re unsure what to choose, our team can walk you through the whole thing.
Your child can take the SSAT multiple times, but it’s not a punch card situation. Students can take up to five Standard tests, three at-home computer-based tests, one Flex test, and one Prometric test per academic year. That’s quite a few chances—but quality beats quantity every time.
With thoughtful prep and the right timing, one or two attempts are often enough to hit your target score. And don’t worry if your child needs another shot. With each round, we track progress and refine the strategy. Think of it like training for a marathon: pacing, preparation, and knowing when to sprint all matter more than running in circles.
There’s no official magic number, but competitive schools in New York like Horace Mann, Dalton, and Brearley often admit students scoring in the 85th to 95th percentile. That doesn’t mean lower scores are disqualifying. A great interview, glowing recommendations, and strong grades can balance out a less-than-perfect test day.
Still, a high SSAT score makes your child stand out in a sea of impressive applicants. It shows academic readiness and test-taking confidence, which schools love. Our goal? To help your child reach a score that turns heads without losing sleep. We build strategy, not stress. And yes, we’ve helped plenty of students cross that 90th percentile finish line.
New York families have options. The SSAT is typically offered once a month between October and April, with an extra test date in June. That’s for the paper-based Standard test, which is the most common. If those dates don’t fit, there’s the Flex test, available through certain schools and consultants, and the at-home SSAT, which can be taken up to three times a year on set dates. Prometric computer-based tests are also available but limited to one sitting per year. Long story short: there’s no shortage of ways to test—just make sure to register early. This is New York, after all. Even brunch needs a reservation.
DISCLAIMER
Cardinal Education is an independent educational consulting company. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by any private school, including those mentioned on this website. All school names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used here for descriptive purposes only.
