SSAT · private school admission · grades 3-11

SSAT Practice Test

Try SSAT-style synonyms, analogies and math for the Elementary and Middle/Upper levels, each answer explained. Then see how the real SSAT is laid out and scored for 2026-27.

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Unofficial practice. SSAT is a trademark of E3n, which is not affiliated with iMasterly and has not reviewed or endorsed these questions.

Question 1 of 6Verbal · Synonym

DAMP most nearly means

Quick answer

What is on the SSAT?

The SSAT has three scored sections: quantitative (math), verbal (synonyms and analogies) and reading, plus an unscored writing sample. The Elementary Level (grades 3-4) takes 2 hours 5 minutes with no guessing penalty. The Middle and Upper Levels (grades 5-11) take 3 hours 10 minutes, and each wrong answer loses ¼ point.

Source: E3n: SSAT Candidate Handbook 2026-27 and E3n: About the SSAT · Updated

SSAT sections and timing

Elementary Level

Students in grades 3 and 4 (applying to grades 4 and 5). Paper only.

Quantitative (math)30 questions30 min
Verbal (synonyms and analogies)30 questions20 min
Break15 min
Reading28 questions30 min
Writing sample (not scored)1 prompt15 min
Experimental (not scored)15 min
Total2 hours 5 minutes

Middle and Upper Level

Middle: grades 5 to 7. Upper: grades 8 to 11. Same layout and timing. Paper, SSAT at Home or a Prometric center.

Writing sample (not scored)1 prompt25 min
Break10 min
Quantitative (math) 125 questions30 min
Reading40 questions40 min
Break10 min
Verbal (30 synonyms, 30 analogies)60 questions30 min
Quantitative (math) 225 questions30 min
Experimental (not scored)15 min
Total3 hours 10 minutes

No calculators at any level. Middle and Upper reading passages run 250 to 350 words, both stories and arguments, from fiction, the humanities, science and social studies.

Source: E3n's SSAT Candidate Handbook 2026-27 and its "What's on the SSAT" pages for each level.

How the SSAT is scored

LevelEach sectionTotalWrong answers
Elementary300 to 600900 to 1800None: guess on every question
Middle440 to 7101320 to 2130Lose ¼ point per wrong answer
Upper500 to 8001500 to 2400Lose ¼ point per wrong answer

Scaled score

The number on the scales above. It is equated across test forms, so it means the same whichever form your child took.

Percentile

Compares your child with first-time test takers in the same grade over the last three years, in the US and Canada.

No superscoring

Schools see each test in full. E3n does not combine the best sections from different test dates.

On the Middle and Upper Levels, E3n's advice is to skip a question you have no idea about, and make an educated guess once you can rule out 2 of the 5 choices.

Source: E3n's score report guide, its sample score reports and the Candidate Handbook.

What the full practice includes

A diagnostic first

A shorter test that shows which sections need the most work before the full tests.

Seven full tests per level

Elementary and Middle/Upper, with the same scored sections and question counts as the real SSAT, and a timer you can turn on.

Every answer explained

At the end your child sees each question again with the right answer and why. Progress saves as they go.

It is in the app under Test Prep, next to ISEE practice for every level from Primary 2 to Upper.

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Questions parents ask

What is on the SSAT?
Every level has three scored parts: quantitative (math), verbal (synonyms and analogies) and reading. There is also a writing sample that is not scored but is sent to schools, and an experimental section that does not count. The Middle and Upper Levels have two math sections of 25 questions each.
How long is the SSAT?
The Elementary Level takes 2 hours 5 minutes including a 15-minute break. The Middle and Upper Levels take 3 hours 10 minutes including two 10-minute breaks.
Is there a penalty for guessing on the SSAT?
Only on the Middle and Upper Levels. There a correct answer earns 1 point, a wrong answer loses ¼ point and a blank scores 0. E3n advises against random guessing, but says an educated guess can pay off once you can rule out 2 of the 5 choices. The Elementary Level has no penalty, so children should answer every question.
What is a good SSAT score?
E3n does not set a passing score, and each school weighs scores differently. The percentile is the most useful number for comparing: it shows how your child did against first-time test takers in the same grade over the last three years in the US and Canada. A 67th percentile means your child scored as well as or better than 67 percent of them. Ask the schools you are applying to how they use scores.
What are the SSAT score ranges?
Each section is scored 300 to 600 on the Elementary Level, 440 to 710 on the Middle Level and 500 to 800 on the Upper Level. The total is the three sections added together: 900 to 1800, 1320 to 2130 and 1500 to 2400.
Which SSAT level should my child take?
It depends on the grade your child is in now. Grades 3 and 4 take the Elementary Level, grades 5 to 7 the Middle Level, and grades 8 to 11 the Upper Level.
Can you use a calculator on the SSAT?
No. Calculators are not allowed in the quantitative sections at any level.
How many times can you take the SSAT?
Several times in one testing year, which runs from August 3, 2026 to July 20, 2027. Elementary students can take up to three tests. Middle and Upper students can take each of the six paper Standard tests, one Flex test, and also test at home or at a Prometric center. Schools see each test in full: E3n does not superscore.
How much does the SSAT cost?
In the US and Canada, E3n lists $112 for an Elementary Standard or school Flex test, and $177 for a Middle or Upper Standard or school Flex test. SSAT at Home is $263 and a Prometric test is $250. Schools can give fee waivers to families who qualify.
Is this the official SSAT practice?
No. The official practice is E3n's own guide books and online practice. Our questions are original, written to match the sections, question types and timing E3n publishes. We do not copy real SSAT questions.

The SSAT is published by E3n. We are not affiliated with them, and these practice questions are our own. Also see ISEE practice and SSAT vs ISEE.