SSAT INFORMATION SHEET
Who Should Take the Test?
The Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) is the required admission test for various independent schools. Please note: NOT all 8th
or 9th grade students need to take the SSAT, and it is NOT required at public schools, nor at most “A” or “B” level schools. Please
consult with the Carroll Placement Office if you are unsure whether your student needs to take the SSAT.
Test Description
The test consists of verbal, quantitative (math), and reading comprehension sections. The test also includes a writing sample portion,
which asks students to respond to one of two prompts. The essay is not graded; however, a copy accompanies each SSAT score report
that is sent to a school or consultant.
The SSAT is a norm-referenced test that interprets an individual test-taker’s score relative to the distribution of scores for a comparison
or “norm” group. This norm group consists of all the test-takers (same grade/gender), who have taken the test for the first time. It is
important to remember that the SSAT norm group is a highly-competitive group. The SSAT score is one part of a student’s complete
application, and while it is important, it is not the only criteria for admission.
Test Prep Options
According to SSAT, “the best way to prepare for the SSAT is to become familiar with the content, format, timing, and scoring of the
test.” These are several options for how a student might want to prepare for the test.
The Official Guide to the Upper Level SSAT:
For students currently in Grades 8-11
Cost: $35
Includes: Two full-length Upper Level practice tests; Information about registering for, preparing for, and taking the
Upper Level SSAT; Scoring instructions and explanations; Descriptions and exercises for each question type
SSAT Vocab Flash Cards are available on the SSAT section of Carroll’s School Placement/Transition website:
http://www.carrollschool.org/our-community/parents-page/transition/ssat
Private Tutorial: There are many private tutoring/prep courses available. These are just some that Carroll is aware of locally:
Alexandra Berube
Boston Tutoring Services
781-248-4558
BostonTutoringServices@gmail.com
www.bostontutoringservices.com
Melissa Cataldo
617-512-6104
mdcataldo@yahoo.com
Anya Chekalin
Educational Consultant
617-416-1447
achekalin@gmail.com
Diana Jalelian
Arlington, MA
781-646-5496
dalexj@gmail.com
Open Door Test Prep
Travis Minor, Owner
Acton, MA
978-263-6387
www.opendoortestprep.com
John Pope, Consultant
617-650-9130
johnp@mit.edu
Sally Glickman
617-332-2279
Dr. Jamie Rodriguez, Educational Consultant
JBG Educational Group
Medfield, MA
617-448-7179
jamie@jbgtutors.com
www.jbgeducationalgroup.com
David Russell
Roslindale, MA
617-325-0423
director@russelleducation.com
Summit Educational Group
Newton, MA
800-698-8867 X106
www.mytutor.com
General Carroll Overview (NOT a comprehensive prep course): The Overview series here at Carroll is not a "course," but rather a
preview of the test. This Overview meets for three sessions; it is designed for students preparing for the Upper Level SSAT and will
include: content overview, exposure to sample questions, test-taking approaches and strategies, and practice. The Overview will scan the
various sections of the test, explain what to expect on the day of the test, and review SSAT scoring procedures.
Dates: November 6, 13, & 20th 12:15-1:45pm
Signup: Signup will be through the Carroll website signup for the Middle School Friday Program. Cost is $90.00
Carroll School
Checklist - Registering For & Taking the SSAT
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Determine if SSAT is needed if unsure (contact lrecht@carrollschool.org; edavidson@carrollschool.org)
Create SSAT account if have not already done so
Apply for special accommodations through ssat.org (documentation required: psychological evaluations or recommendations,
student's IEP, student's 504 Plan). Carroll Testing Coordinator Nancy Florey (nflorey@carrollschool.org) will review
documentation and approve accommodations accordingly.
o Examples of typical accommodations for Carroll Students: extra time (1.5x), place guide (e.g. ruler), highlighter, laptop
computer with spelling aid for writing sample, calculator, text-to-speech editing tool for writing sample.
Register for the test (MUST apply for AND have accommodations approved before registering)
o Go to www.ssat.org/test-center-search to find a test site that can support special accommodations OR see below for list
of consultants who provide small group testing with accommodations.
*Important: List Carroll School as a score recipient and as an advisor. Carroll School Score Recipient Code: 2134
List all schools that you would like to receive your child’s scores. This can also be done at a later date after the test is taken.
Consultants who provide small group SSAT testing with accommodations:
Bob Bilello, Educational Consultant
Wellesley, MA
781-416-7300
rbilello@aol.com
www.robertbilello.com
Hunnewell Education Group
South Natick, MA
781-697-7075
oakes@hunnewelled.com
Chapman Educational Services
Hopkinton, MA
617-823-5403
christine@scchapmaned.com
John Gray Educational Consulting
Needham, MA
781-449-GRAY (4729)
jgray@johngrayconsulting.com
www.johngrayconsulting.com
College Resource Associates
Worcester, MA
508-757-8920
Joan@CollegeResourceAssoc.com
Leslie S. Goldberg & Associates, LLC
Hingham, MA
781-749-2274
leslie@edconsult.org
Midge Lipkin, Schoolsearch, Inc.
Needham, MA
781-455-1452
mlipkin@schoolsearch.com
www.schoolsearch.com
Schnitzer Associates, Inc.
Lexington, MA
781-862-7792
DrSchnitz@netscape.net
Debbie Seresky
781-455-1452
dseresky@schoolsearch.com
Helpful Resources Available at www.ssat.org: Please visit www.ssat.org for further, up-to-date information. There are
informative webinars and other resources available at this site that will answer many of your questions. Examples
of pre-recorded webinars that are available on the SSAT website are listed below:
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All About the Middle and Upper Level SSATs (5th grade to
PG): Everything you need to know about the SSAT, from test
sections and timing to how the test is scored and test-taking strategy.
Reading Your Middle/Upper Level SSAT Score Report: You
got your scores; now what? Learn about what the sections mean and
how to interpret your scores.
Contact Information
For questions regarding how to register through the SSAT
website/manage your SSAT account:
SSAT, Phone (Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm EDT)
609-683-4440; email: info@ssat.org
Carroll School

Applying Made Easy - Using the Standard Application
Online: Learn all about using the SAO in this informative
webinar!