The SSAT test: what is on it, how long it is, and the rules
The SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) is used for admission to independent schools. The Middle and Upper Levels have 150 scored questions: Verbal 60, Quantitative 50 and Reading 40, plus an unscored 25-minute writing sample and a 16-question experimental section. No calculator; a wrong answer costs a quarter of a point. With breaks, plan on about 3 hours.
Updated October 31, 2026 · by AdmitTest
Who takes it
E3n, the organization formed when The Enrollment Management Association and ERB merged, runs the SSAT. It has three levels: Elementary for students now in grades 3-4, Middle for grades 5-7 and Upper for grades 8-11. E3n's Interpretive Guide describes it as an admission test for independent schools, not an achievement test. It gives no count of schools, so we give none. The rest of this page is about Middle and Upper, which share a format.
The parts of the test, in order
This is the order on E3n's Upper Level page; its Middle Level page describes the same structure.
| Part | Questions | Minutes | Scored? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing sample | 1 prompt, your child picks from 2 | 25 | No |
| Break | 10 | ||
| Quantitative, section 1 | 25 | 30 | Yes |
| Reading | 40 | 40 | Yes |
| Break | 10 | ||
| Verbal: 30 synonyms, 30 analogies | 60 | 30 | Yes |
| Quantitative, section 2 | 25 | 30 | Yes |
| Experimental | 16 | 15 | No |
The two Quantitative sections combine into one score out of 50 questions. E3n's Candidate Handbook notes that the experimental section may not be given to every group.
What each part asks
- Verbal: synonyms and analogies.
- Quantitative: arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data and probability. Coordinate geometry and slope are Upper Level only.
- Reading: narrative and argument passages, with questions on main idea, details, inference, word meaning, purpose, tone, opinions and predictions.
- Writing sample: not scored, but the schools that receive the score report get it.
The rules that change how to take it
- A wrong answer costs a quarter of a point. A right answer scores 1 and a blank scores 0, per E3n's page on guessing. If your child can rule out two of the five choices, a guess can be worthwhile, which is the Handbook's rule of thumb. The score guide shows the arithmetic. The Elementary Level has no such penalty.
- Five answer choices on Middle and Upper (Handbook).
- No calculator (E3n).
- Scratch work on paper tests: in the blank space of the test book. For the writing sample, scrap paper can be used to plan, but the essay itself goes on the answer sheet (E3n). We did not find the scratch rules for the computer formats; ask when you register.
- Pace: E3n's guide calls the test close to unspeeded, in an analysis from 2004-05, so that is old data. By our arithmetic Verbal gives 30 seconds a question, Reading 60 and Quantitative 72.
Ways to take it, and the fees
The formats and US and Canada registration fees below are from E3n's About page for Middle and Upper. Dates are in the dates guide.
| Format | Where | Registration fee |
|---|---|---|
| Paper, Standard date or school Flex | United States, Canada, many other countries | $177 fee |
| Prometric test center | United States, Canada, many other countries | $250 fee |
| SSAT at Home | United States, its territories, Canada | $263 fee |
| Flex with an educational consultant | Through the consultant | $272 fee |
E3n lists a $59 late registration fee and a $100 rush fee for Standard paper tests. Fee waivers come through schools.
Retakes: E3n's About page allows up to 6 Standard tests and 1 Flex test per testing year on Middle and Upper, and 1 SSAT at Home. For Prometric its pages differ, one or two a year, so check before you plan on it.
Practicing the format
Our free practice test has the 150 scored questions on the same clocks, written by us. It leaves out the writing sample and the experimental section, so it takes 130 minutes of testing. Writing is practiced apart and we do not grade it.
| Section | Questions | Time | Per question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative 1 | 25 | 30 min | about 72 s |
| Reading | 40 | 40 min | about 60 s |
| Verbal | 60 | 30 min | about 30 s |
| Quantitative 2 | 25 | 30 min | about 72 s |
| All four | 150 | 130 min |
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 questions are on the SSAT?
On Middle and Upper, 150 scored questions: 60 verbal, 50 quantitative in two sections, and 40 reading. A 16-question experimental section does not count, and some groups or test dates may not have it. Source: E3n's pages on what is on each level and its Candidate Handbook.
How long is the SSAT?
About 3 hours on Middle and Upper. E3n's Upper Level page says 3 hours and 10 minutes, its Interpretive Guide says 185 minutes, and its table of parts and breaks adds up to 190 minutes.
Which level does my child take?
Students now in grades 5-7 take the Middle Level and students in grades 8-11 the Upper Level. Elementary is for grades 3-4. The two higher levels share a format and timing.
Is a calculator allowed on the SSAT?
No. E3n does not allow calculators in the math sections.
Can the SSAT be taken at home?
On Middle and Upper, in the United States, its territories and Canada: SSAT at Home is one of the ways to take it. The others are paper (Standard dates or Flex) and a Prometric center.
Does your practice test match the real one?
It follows the published format of the scored sections: 150 questions on the same clocks. It is written by us, and it leaves out the writing sample and experimental section. Writing is practiced apart and we do not grade it.