Saudi Private School Test Prep for U.S. Admissions

Some top U.S. private schools treat these tests like a VIP pass, while others have joined the cool “test-optional” crowd. But here’s the catch: test-optional does not mean test-irrelevant. A strong score is still like extra sprinkles on an already fancy cupcake—it makes things sweeter and helps your child shine in a sea of applicants.

For most families, the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) and ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) are the big names to know for grades 4 through 12. The STAR Assessment usually pops up for younger students or when a school wants a quick check on reading and math skills.

Before you go shopping for flashcards or booking every tutor in town, do a little homework first. Each school plays by its own rules. Some only ask for essays and interviews, while others want the full buffet of tests. Our advice? If the test is optional, take it anyway. A strong score is like sending an extra RSVP to the admissions party with a note that says, “I’m ready, and I brought dessert!”

Good news: no need to pack your bags or renew your passport. Both the SSAT and ISEE can be taken right from Saudi Arabia. Many families go for at-home online testing, while others prefer an in-person slot at an authorized international test center. If you choose the online option, just know it’s not a free-for-all. You’ll need a quiet space, a rock-solid internet connection, and a proctor watching you through a webcam. Sorry, even your cat can’t crash this party.

As for the STAR Assessment, usually for younger students, it’s often arranged by the school that requires it—and yes, it can sometimes be done remotely too.

Pro tip: check with your target schools before signing up. Some are picky about how they want scores submitted. And don’t wait until the last minute. Test slots can disappear faster than fresh dates at Ramadan. The best part? You can take these exams from Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dhahran without a hint of jet lag.

There’s no secret code to crack, but here’s the rule of thumb: the higher, the better. For the SSAT and ISEE, most top-tier schools want to see scores in the 80th percentile or above. If you’ve got your eyes on the super-exclusive schools, think closer to the 90th percentile. But don’t forget, these tests are only one slice of the admissions pie. Essays, interviews, recommendations, and overall fit matter just as much—sometimes more.

The STAR Assessment is a different animal altogether. It’s adaptive, meaning the difficulty changes based on your child’s answers, and schools use a scaled score to check if students are at or above grade level. Translation? They just want reassurance that your child is keeping pace academically, not breaking world records.

And if your child’s score isn’t screaming “Harvard-bound,” don’t lose sleep. Admissions teams love well-rounded applicants. A stellar essay or a glowing teacher recommendation can tip the scales. That said, a strong test score can still make an impression—like spotting a camel cruising in a Ferrari. So yes, prepping for these tests is totally worth it.

Think of test scores as the universal language of admissions. U.S. schools know that curricula around the world look wildly different, so exams like the SSAT and ISEE act as a baseline for comparison. For international students, a strong score is like saying, “Relax, I’ve got this,” to the admissions team. It’s not about perfection; it’s about proving you’re ready to handle their academic rhythm.

But here’s the good news: schools know these tests don’t tell the whole story. Many take cultural and language differences into account, especially if English isn’t your first language. They’ll weigh your background before making any big decisions.

Some schools go even further with a holistic review. That means your essays, interviews, grades, extracurriculars, and overall sparkle matter just as much—if not more—than your test scores.

The takeaway? A strong score gives you a nice advantage, especially when competition is fierce, but it’s not the golden ticket. So prep smart, do your best, and remember: this is just one puzzle piece, not the entire masterpiece.