When do most people take the SSAT?
Is there any benefit to taking it in 6th or 7th as “practice”? (And if one were to do that, would one take the version for 5th-7th graders or the one for 8th-11th graders?)
I think that most kids who are applying for BS take the test in the Fall leading into their application season and many take it two or more times. My own children each took it twice, one child in June and November and the other two in November and December. Prior to the real test, each took a few practice tests to get a feel for it and to get a sense of how they might perform. If your child is unfamiliar with standardized tests then the practice might be worthwhile and initially I would go with the age appropriate test level. Early results will probably not reflect the final scores although they may highlight some areas that need attention.
Where/how can they take practice tests and get a sense of scores?
You can buy a test prep book - there are many out there - that have practice tests. I believe that SSAT may have a book of their own. And there are test prep companies that offer practice tests as well.
My child took the SSAT in the spring of 7th grade. You can register for the upper level test even as a 7th graders. If you need assistance, the SSAT people where very helpful. DS took the test cold at that point just to see what it was like and if he had to focus on anything. He scored well and that took a lot of pressure off for 8th grade. DS briefly went through the SSAT’s own prep book and spent a little time on quizlet, took the 8th grade October SSAT and that was that.
We did exactly as carpoolingma’s did. Registered DS for June test in 7th grade. Chose 8th grade as DS’s grade to choose Upper Level test. Took it cold. Over the summer, worked on practice tests (SSAT official book, Kaplan, Princeton Review, Barron’s, etc) Got some vocabulary/analogy books and apps, quizlet, etc. Took once in the fall (October or November) and that was it.
A question for the older members – Did the SSAT correlate to your DC SAT score? Lower/Higher/Pretty much on the money
What do you mean “older members”?? :)) Anyway, my DS hasn’t taken the SAT yet, but he did take the PSAT last fall. I was reading over his score report on the SSAT and it gave a range that was expected on the SAT. His PSAT results were quite close to those percentages. The results on the PSAT were actually a bit higher that SSAT had predicted. I think that’s most likely due to coming from a LPS for middle school and had now had the benefit from a wonderful education at his BS.
Good question to me, an old timer :)) I think that SSAT/SAT correlation does exist. Good scorers remain as good scorers.
In our case, SSAT/PSAT was slightly better. DS1’s junior SAT did not improve as much as his freshman PSAT predicted. However, SAT scores fell in the predicted range from SSAT/PSAT.
That is because at 13 years old, DS1 listened to mommy and did what mom asked him to do, i.e. do a few practice tests and vocab games. At nearly 17, DS1 no longer listens to mom and takes all tests cold so shows no more growth in test scores.
DS1 chose not to go to BS and stayed at the local public school. That may have had an impact. 8-|
SSAT was lower than SAT. Wait. Maybe it was the other way around. Can’t rely on my “older” memory.
Every one that commented on “older” was a woman. Now that is a correlation!
SSAT was disastrous (several times, I might add). PSAT and ACT were very, very good. Hasn’t taken the SAT yet but will soon, so I guess we’ll see…
Thank you, everyone! Appreciate the guidance and humor. And you don’t seem that old to me, though I’m happy to benefit from your wisdom and experience 