Is there a difference between the SSAT offered in Saudi Arabia and the one in the U.S.?

Not at all. The SSAT is standardized, which means the content, format, and scoring are exactly the same worldwide. Whether your child takes the test in Riyadh, New York, or Singapore, it will include the same sections: Quantitative, Reading, Verbal, and the Writing Sample. The scoring system is also identical, so international students compete on a level playing field with their U.S. counterparts.

The only real difference is the testing environment. In Saudi Arabia, most students take the SSAT at Prometric centers. These centers provide a secure, proctored setting similar to what you’d find in the U.S.

Another difference? Time zones. Test availability and scheduling will align with local time in Saudi Arabia, so you won’t have to wake your child up at 3 a.m. for an American time slot. Aside from logistics, everything else is the same. Your child’s score is just as valid and accepted by U.S. private schools, so they’ll be evaluated on equal footing with students from anywhere in the world.