SSAT
In the DC area, the SSAT is the most widely used academic assessment for independent school admission. There’s no doubt that this assessment produces a tremendous amount of anxiety as the most competitive schools want to see strong scores.
The SSAT is a strategy-based test, which is often very different from what a student is used to in the classroom. For correct answers, students gain one point. For incorrect answers, students lose one-fourth of a point. For answers left blank, there is no positive or negative effect, simply a zero towards the raw score.
The fact that students are penalized for wrong answers greatly affects test-taking strategy on the SSAT. Students are not necessarily expected to answer every question, and many sink their score by rushing to finish questions they may not answer correctly.
Because this test is tricky for even the brightest students, ensuring students are comfortable and understand the format and scoring is vital.
The Test and Structure
There are two different versions of the test, middle (for those applying to grades 5-8) and upper (for those applying to grades 9-12). Both versions are three-hour-and-15-minute academic assessments.
- Essay (25 mins). Not graded but reviewed by the admission team so that they can get a sense of the child’s writing ability.
- Break (5 mins)
- Quantitative multiple choice (30 mins)
- Critical Reading multiple choice (40 mins)
- Break (10 mins)
- Vocabulary multiple choice (30 mins)
- Second Quantitative multiple choice (30 mins)
- Experimental multiple choice (15 mins). Not graded.
One-to-One Test Preparation Tutoring
We provide highly trained SSAT test prep tutors throughout the DC Metro area and an innovative, proven curriculum designed specifically to help students prepare through one-to-one teaching. Our instruction is three-fold: content review, essential test-taking strategies, and simulated test practice.
How Our Program Works
We custom design an instructional program for each student.
- The first step in each of our tutoring programs is to have the student complete a comprehensive SSAT diagnostic test.
- We determine the student’s strengths and weaknesses using a computerized analysis of the test results.
- From there, we custom design a test prep program which will enable the tutor to focus on the areas in greatest need of improvement.
- One of our dedicated Test Prep Specialists hand-selects a tutor who will best suit the student’s academic needs and personality.
- Instruction is focused on verbal, writing, reading and/or math review, test-taking strategies, and practice with actual exams — the three proven ways to boost scores.
- Parents receive up-to-the-minute progress reports after each tutoring session, and have access to our online portal, which provides practice test scores and feedback, homework assignments, and scheduling information.
We are committed to providing students with the best resources.
We’re proud to partner with Test Innovators to provide all of our SSAT students with premium content to help them achieve their test goals. The Test Innovators platform has been used by thousands of students and provides tools to track progress, target learning, and build confidence for test day.
Let us take the guesswork out of SSAT prep. Contact us to learn how we can help your student.
One-to-One Test Preparation Tutoring
We provide highly trained SSAT test prep tutors throughout the DC Metro area and an innovative, proven curriculum designed specifically to help students prepare through one-to-one teaching. Our instruction is three-fold: content review, essential test-taking strategies, and simulated test practice.
TESTIMONIALS
I cannot say enough amazing words about Miss Cindy and what a perfect match EC made when you placed her and Nico together. He has thrived over the last 18+months with the consistent, focused engagement that Miss Cindy has provided. She is patient, kind, motivating and I have seen firsthand the talent and professionalism she brings to her tutoring. Essentially she has been a tremendous part of Nico's continued success in learning and a special person to our entire family. While we know Nico will struggle to learn, he has worked so hard and we as parents and his teachers at school see his great progress....and that is only through him working so hard and others believing in him. His teachers and supporters including Miss Cindy have made the difference and for this, we are profoundly grateful and hopeful. Nico is a beautiful and bright boy who is full of life and love and we will continue to support him in every way possible.
Natalie, Jun 18, 2018
I wanted you to know how pleased we have been with your services! Our daughter has improved her grade so much in Algebra. Karen has been really good for her and our daughter has been able to understand the materials.
Sally, Jun 8, 2018
I am compelled to tell you how incredible Ashley is as a tutor. Let's start with the fact that she arrived every day on time and got right down to business and she stayed until the hour ended, every time. Ashley is someone who has a gift. She knows exactly how to take concepts and pull them off the page to help students learn. For example, she once came into the kitchen and asked for a glass of water to dramatize volume to our child. She would often tell our child, "I showed you how to do it, now I want you to teach it back to me." She never came unprepared, she always had worksheets, problems for our child to work on in case there was not much math homework or a quiz to study for. Her goal was always to make sure that our child truly understood the concepts that they were working on. It has made a world of difference to our child to have Ashley's support and knowledge.
Beth, May 31, 2018
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