SSAT analogies: how they work and how to solve them
Analogies are 30 of the 60 questions in the SSAT Verbal section on Middle and Upper, which takes 30 minutes in all. Each asks for the logical relationship between pairs of words, with five choices. The reliable method is to state the first pair's relationship in one sentence, then test each choice against that sentence.
Updated October 31, 2026 · by AdmitTest
What E3n says
The Verbal section has 60 questions in 30 minutes: 30 synonyms and 30 analogies (Upper, Middle). E3n's Interpretive Guide describes analogies as testing the logical relationship between pairs of words, and says the section is not only a test of vocabulary. By our arithmetic, 60 questions in 30 minutes averages 30 seconds each.
The method: say the relationship as a sentence
- Make a short sentence with the first two words. For our own example, GLOVE and HAND: "A glove covers a hand."
- Put each choice through the same sentence. "A sock covers a foot" works. "A ring covers a finger" is weaker, because a ring only circles it.
- If two choices fit, make the sentence more exact. "A glove is worn to cover and protect a hand."
- If you do not know a word, rule out what you can. Two choices gone: a guess can be worthwhile. None gone: leave it blank.
Relationships worth knowing
This is our own working list, not a list from E3n:
- Function: a broom is used to sweep.
- Part and whole: a page is part of a book.
- Type: an oak is a kind of tree.
- Degree: furious is much stronger than annoyed.
- Same or opposite meaning: brave and bold; brave and timid.
- Worker and tool or product: a baker uses an oven; a poet writes a poem.
- Cause and effect: a drought causes thirst.
- Lack of: a coward lacks courage.
Try two
These are original questions in the Upper Level format. Say the sentence before you look at the choices.
Sample · Analogies · written by AdmitTest
HUMBLE is to MODEST as ARROGANT is to
- shy
- bitter
- bold
- haughty
- confident
Answer: D. Humble means about the same as modest, and arrogant means about the same as haughty. Confident and bold may fit an arrogant person but name self-belief, not looking down on others.
Sample · Analogies · written by AdmitTest
WEARY is to TIRED as
- hasty : slow
- fierce : gentle
- shy : outgoing
- ominous : threatening
- rich : poor
Answer: D. Weary and tired mean the same, and so do ominous and threatening. Every other pair is a pair of opposites.
Practice on the clock
Our full test has the 60 Verbal questions in 30 minutes, written by us, and the result shows analogies apart from synonyms.
Free SSAT practice tests, no sign-up. Every test is timed section by section and ends with the score of each section and skill.
Choose your level and startCommon questions
How many analogies are on the SSAT?
30 on Middle and Upper, along with 30 synonyms, in a 30-minute Verbal section, according to E3n.
Does E3n list the types of analogy on Middle and Upper?
We did not find such a list for those levels. The relationships on this page are our own grouping, used to write our practice questions.
Should my child guess on a hard analogy?
Only if two of the five choices can be ruled out, which is the rule of thumb in E3n's Candidate Handbook. A wrong answer costs a quarter of a point and a blank costs nothing.
Are the questions here from the real test?
No. The examples and samples are written by us.