What’s on the SSAT, and why is it so hard?

The SSAT may sound like just another standardized test, but don’t be fooled. It’s a fast-paced, tricky exam that tests verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, and includes an unscored writing sample that gets sent to every school on your list. The verbal section throws in obscure vocabulary and analogies that make even adults pause. Reading comprehension is dense and timed. The math jumps from easy word problems to algebra before you’ve caught your breath.

To top it off, the SSAT includes something most tests don’t: a guessing penalty. Wrong answers cost you points, so strategy becomes just as important as knowledge. That’s why students need more than just content review—they need to know when to guess, when to skip, and how to manage time under pressure. Our SSAT prep covers all of that and more. We take the mystery out of the test and help your child walk in cool, calm, and ready to crush it.