What Is the SSAT?
More and more private schools are requesting that students complete an SSAT to be included with their application to the school. The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) is an admissions test administered to students to help determine placement into a private school. The test is administered by the Secondary School Admission Test Board, which can be reached on the web at
http://www.ssat.org/ontario.
There are three SSAT tests, each depending on the student’s current grade:
- Lower Level SSAT (Grades 3-4)
- Middle Level SSAT (Grades 5-7)
- Upper Level SSAT (Grades 8-11)
The test takes two hours and 35 minutes to complete. The components of the SSAT are as follows:
- A 40-minute reading comprehension section (multiple choice)
- Two math sections of 30 minutes each (multiple choice)
- A 30-minute verbal section (multiple choice)
- An essay (25 minutes)
IVY ED SSAT Preparation Program
Instructors will address each of the sections of the test and amount of instruction depends on the individual need. IVY ED has prepared students for the SSAT for over 12 years and has an outstanding placement record of 99%. Our program is implemented in three phases:
Identification: A preliminary diagnostic test is administered to identify strengths and weaknesses in relevance to the SSAT that will be written.
Instruction: Using the results of the test, instructors will design a program that fulfills the student’s needs in order to maximize their score. This phase will build the student’s skills and confidence for writing the SSAT as well as for everyday test-taking situations.
Reinforcement: Students are retested intermittently to establish the level of understanding of concepts. Instructors use this information as a reference for further instruction.
For SSAT class times and any other further questions you may have in regards to this program, please contact us by phone or email.
What Are the SATs?
The SAT is a standardized examination designed to measure students’ abilities in three areas: reading, writing, and mathematical reasoning. It is valued by American schools because the College Board is an external body whose sole purpose is to evaluate students’ abilities. The SATs are an important element of the application process to colleges in the United States, and preparation needs to be taken seriously.
Our SAT program is designed specifically for the individual student. An extensive consultation and preliminary diagnostic will provide a student profile required to give the instructors a point of reference for the sessions. The IVY ED SAT preparation will cover all the components of the SATs, but it will especially focus on the child’s individual diagnostic results in order to strengthen the areas that need attention. For further information regarding this program, please call our contact line or email us.
What Is the Format of the SATs?
The SATs are three hours and 50 minutes long (including the optional essay):
A 100-Minute Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing Section
- Reading Test (65 minutes; 52 questions)
- Writing and Language Test (35 minutes; 44 questions)
An 80-Minute Math Section
- Calculator-allowed section (55 minutes; 37 questions)
- Calculator-not-allowed section (25 minutes; 20 questions)
A 50-Minute Optional Essay-Writing Section
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma is a highly sought-after designation for those willing to apply themselves to the rigorous four years that it takes to achieve it. Availability to the program is limited and students are expected to write an entry exam as part of the application process. IVY ED’s director is a former coordinator and teacher of the IB program, and therefore, knows what it takes to be a successful IB student. The IB prep program has the following structure:
Identification: A preliminary diagnostic test is administered to identify strengths and weaknesses in relevance to the IB test that will be written.
Instruction: Using the results of the test, instructors will design a program that fulfills the student’s needs in order to maximize their scores. This phase will build the student’s skill and confidence not only in writing the IB test but with everyday test-taking situations.
Reinforcement: Students are retested intermittently to establish the level of understanding of concepts. Instructors use this information as a reference for further instruction.
The IB prep classes are individualized and done on an as-need basis.
