Is the SSAT really necessary for U.S. private school applications from Switzerland?

Think of the SSAT as your child’s academic passport into top U.S. private schools. While some schools have gone test-optional in recent years, the reality for international students is different. Admissions officers in the U.S. may not be fully familiar with the Matura, IB, or Swiss grading systems, and the SSAT provides a standardized benchmark to compare applicants. In other words, a strong SSAT score gives Swiss students a clear and competitive edge.

Plus, a high score tells U.S. schools, “Yes, I can handle your curriculum, your pace, and your expectations.” And trust us—when you’re up against students from elite U.S. prep schools, you want every possible advantage. At Cardinal Education, we’ve seen students from Geneva to Zug get accepted into top-tier institutions thanks in large part to solid SSAT performance. If you’re serious about U.S. private schools, the SSAT isn’t just useful—it’s often essential.