Do all U.S. private schools require the SSAT, ISEE, or STAR Assessment?

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!”