How to raise SSAT score for Math and Verbal

<p>I took SSAT in November and didn't do as great as I was planning while I was taking it. I'm not sure if it was stress or if I really didn't know it. I ended up with my highest score being a 71%, in Reading, and my overall being a 51%. My total was a 2043. I usually test much higher in math than in any other section so it came as a shock that it was my lowest percent. The only real thing I see myself having to do is answer about 7 more because I left more than half blank on section 2 (this is when I started freaking out after the Verbal section). Is there any resources that I could use to help with math or verbal online? I have two study books and one is the offical guide that SSAT makes. I realize I need to score a lot higher to get into the schools I have in mind (they have an average of 75% so I'm not asking for a miracle). Also if there is a book that really helped with vocabulary that would be great as well. </p>

<p>Suggestions:</p>

<p>-Do the schools you are applying to accept the ISEE? If so, that may be the best route given your statement that you are stronger in math. You need to register ASAP so that you can get it taken before the application deadlines which are typically mid-January. Also, you MUST send the ISEE score to at least one school, though you could opt to report it to other schools once you receive scores. (This is different from the SSAT which doesn’t require you to report when you take it. We didn’t report my daughter’s scores until after her results came in.) </p>

<p>-I am assuming that you skipped the 12/13 SSAT since you posted this yesterday. You have another shot at improving those results, but only a month (with holidays) to get ready. So, time to focus…</p>

<p>-If you typically test well, it sounds as if you got the yips during the test. (Remember though, it is a unique group taking this test, as you are being compared almost exclusively to people who think that they are likely qualified to attend schools that are pretty hard to get into.) So, lots of practice for you until then, with a focus on test techniques, as opposed to learning new material. Try skipping the hardest questions and going back later if you have time. You might have been able to answer several of those you left blank with little effort and time. Also, there is some information on the score report about the types of questions you missed (ex. synonyms v. analogies and number concepts v. algebra, geometry, etc.) Use this info to study smart, focusing on the areas where you underperformed. And one caveat on not learning new things: if you are not in honors math (I’m assuming you are an 8th grader), you might consider spending extra time reviewing basic Algebra and Geometry concepts IF you haven’t taken those classes yet. My daughter isn’t a math whiz, but being in those Honors classes and having exposure to the subject matter must have been helpful as she scored better than usual. </p>

<p>-I purchased a book for my daughter entitled “30 Days to Acing the Upper Level SSAT” by Test Prep Works. Maybe you should order this ASAP from Amazon. I can’t vouch for it as my daughter ended up doing well in November and didn’t need to take the December test, but completing the program might give you an extra boost of confidence.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>In looking at my response, I want to be clear that I wasn’t suggesting that you take the ISEE in lieu of taking the SSAT again. If possible, you should do both. But you may want to be smart about deciding when to report the scores. Ex. When I signed up my daughter to take the ISEE, I only requested a score report for the school that is easiest for her to get into. If her scores were good, she could easily go back and order additional score reports to the other schools which are more competitive.</p>

<p>I’m actually a 10th grader and I’ve taken Algebra I and II along with Geometry. I should have mentioned as well that I am taking it with an educational consultant this time, so hopefully a private setting will be better for me. I was strongly considering taking ISEE instead, but I figured schools prefer SSAT and it was easy for me to take it after the 13th. Thank you for all the help and I’ll look into getting the book (:</p>