So we’ve started looking into Upper School SSAT practice. I am not 100% sure if we and/or kids are ready but our situation/living arrangement is moving around at the moment due to work therefore they may apply for Fall 2021 or Fall 2022.
In Fall 2021 our daughter will be G9 and son G8. Am I correct that they both study Upper Level?
I don’t know if 7th graders applying to 8th grade take middle or upper level – perhaps someone with JBS (junior boarding school) experience will jump in. (I’m assuming he would be applying to JBS, as I can only think of one secondary co-ed BS that takes 8th graders – Groton).
But to answer your other question - Gateway is an application portal for admissions; SSS is application for financial aid.
(And to throw another piece to the puzzle – there are two main application portal – Gateway and SAO, which is run by the SSAT folks. Schools mostly accepts applications from one or the other, and some schools accept both. There is further discussion on the pros and cons of working with Gateway and SAO apps if you do some key word searches here on CC).
Hope that helps!
Thank you for taking time to write, indeed is valuable information to newbies like me I did noticed SAO while looking at SSAT.org and was wondering what it was.
I’m assuming kids who are going to 9th grade should take Upper level so although my son is young at the moment, I have them both looking at SSAT online package, Quizlet for words and additional math practice. I find this whole process interesting, I will come out a lot more knowledgeable if I can navigate this.
FWIW my kiddo did a course with Test Innovators for the SSAT - took the Upper level for applications to begin BS in 9th grade. This online course was helpful because it was online with 4 other kids from around the country also applying to BS. There was an app kiddo used to study vocabulary and analogies for the SSAT.
I believe you take the middle level SSAT if you are currently a 7th grade student applying for 8th grade. Call the admissions office.
Other tips: Be organized and have a file folder for each school where you can place correspondence and view books. Keep notes @ each school in this folder. This may be especially useful this year if there are no/limited campus visits. If you prefer to do everything online - Save and/or take screen shots in a dedicated folder on your desk top for correspondence. We found it helpful to look at past threads on CC and study the stats on acceptances/decisions.
Thank you for your good advice! I can see some of you are very organized and I have a mild OCD so it fits me well. And yes, I have been reading many old threads for some time now.
I have a question. I have bought SSAT online package but when I see Ivyglobal sample test, I feel Ivyglobal is “easier” than the SSAT. I was wondering if we should also buy Test Innovators and Ivyglobal to supplement. Do you feel those tests from different organizations vary in level of difficulties?
What site is good for vocabulary and analogies? I found Quizlet has many things going perhaps too many that makes it hard to focus. I mean some words are too easy and there are many sub such as economics or math words while I’m looking for something to simplify all these resources because looking for the right folder to practice on is already a lot of time.
Thank you for all members who take their time to read and reply. It really helps.
I did noticed SAO while looking at