I bombed the SSAT REAL bad…what’s the best way to improve scores? I know I can do good. My practice reading score was WAY better than the actual score…what is the best way to study?
I’m also a student! I’ve taken the SSAT in previous years, so I can share what worked best for me:
–I got an online subscription to SSAT Practice Materials on ssat.org. I took the full-length tests as well as quizzes to practice the different sections individually.
–For the reading section: I studied from quite a few SSAT practice books, but there are also a number of websites that offer advice and tips, like this one:
https://mekreview.com/ssat-how-to-master-the-reading-section/
–I’ve also kinda struggled on the reading and verbal sections, and what’s helped me to build my vocabulary are the Wordly Wise 3000 books - they’re really useful and informative.
I feel you - you got this, and good luck!
@lilyesh i know different people mean different thing when they say they bombed the SSAT. But if you truly bombed it (and I don’t mean a 78 but like a 20) then if you were my child, I would urge you to consider moving on to other parts of the application since SSAT is optional at most schools this year. Some hard work might get you more points but probably not 50 more points.
Work smart here to showcase your best self.
I hope that is helpful. If it does feel right for you then of course listen to your own soul.
@Calliemomofgirls i didn’t get a 78-but definitely not a 20. Not good enough for most the schools I want to go to, need to raise about 25-35 percentages at least
@lilyesh have you given some thought to turning in your applications without an SSAT? I wonder if trying to get 30 points (I’m assuming you mean in the overall score, not just one section?) might add unnecessary stress? Just a thought. Again, if that doesn’t feel right for you then feel free to ignore my thought here.
FWIW my DD last year boosted 15 points overall without additional study time.
@Calliemomofgirls 2 of the schools I’m applying to require standardized testing scores. Won’t submit the score to other schools if it’s horrible.
My kids both liked the SSAT online prep on the SSAT website. It helped my daughter raise her score significantly.
Seems like you got less than a 78% - I am just checking because kids come on here and get a 90% and then say they bombed - so I want to be sure that my comment is reflective of your actual score and not your “view” of your score.
If you got below a 70% - did you decide to add schools to your list?
@lilyesh seconding the suggestion by @one1ofeach to add schools, if you want to have options come March 10th. I think you only had a few very selective schools on your list, and I am concerned that you won’t have options. If that’s OK with you, then great.
If you were my kiddo, I would have you put on your “best predicting cap” and think about likely scenarios.
I’m going to assume that you got somewhere in the 50’s range for the following estimates.
Very roughly, I would guess that raising your overall score by 10-15 points could be pretty easy to do, meaning a little more study, and a little more familiarity with the test could just bump you up. Especially if you take the test a couple more times.
Very roughly, I would guess that raising your score by 25-35 points would require some serious studying, and also would assume that you did NOT study before to get your current score. Still, I think you would want to take the test two more times and keep the studying pretty solid, including some kind of tutor. (Or some other huge delta compared to last test prep plan.)
In other words: just retaking the test will likely give you a small boost. if you need a big boost, then something big needs to change in your prep.
Only you really know in your soul how closely last week’s test reflects your abilities in this test. (Note: SSAT does NOT reflect your abilities in life or in school.)
Either way please hear this: I can say this safely from being in a similar position with DD last year end of November (disappointing SSATs that did NOT support her getting into ANY of the schools on her list) – NOW IS THE TIME to fall in love with some other schools, even if you decide to push forth and study your tail off and pursue an 88 at all costs on the SSATs!!
Spoiler: I think I’ve told you, but DD score did go up, not a ton, but to an 80, and she got into her top choice schools, which included some higher-admit options that we scrambled and added in December. So happy ending is absolutely possible. Really. You have options here!
You should “widen your net” to include a couple of schools that have most of the things you want, but whose average SSATs of admitted students are more in line with your scores. Even if they’re test optional, or test blind this year.
(Sorry this is so late lol)
First of all, the SSAT this year for most schools is optional. So, it’s not necessary to take it.
Secondly, if you do want to take the SSAT, you should leave at least a 3 month gap between the two SSAT dates. That’s what I did and I noticed a lot of improvement this year. (I already took the SSAT twice this year).
My study strategy was that I memorized 30 vocabulary a day, and I used the SSAT online portal to help me. If you purchase the set, you get authentic SSAT problems to practice with. The reading problems here are harder than the actual reading on the test in my opinion.
You can also search online for reading practices to get used to the online format (I struggled with reading A LOT so I sympathize with you). My tip is to skim the questions first (underline specific parts if you can), read the passage, then answer easier questions first. I would suggest to find which types of passages are hardest for you. Make sure to check the time after every few articles.
With this method, I increased my reading percentile from 64 to 86.
Not only that you have to have a set strategy, but you also have to identify your weakness in general: comprehension problems, time, reading speed, etc.?
But the main thing is to remain calm in the test. It’s not that bad as long as you memorize your vocabulary (1,500 is recommended for the 99th percentile), read your passages, and train your math (which I didn’t mention but just practice).