Secondary School Admission Test
The SSAT, in plain answers
Taken by students in grades 3 to 11 applying to private and boarding schools. Here's what matters for the 2026–27 admissions season, with a link to the official source for every fact.
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Questions parents ask
SSAT test dates for 2026–27: paper, at home and PrometricThe 2026–27 paper SSAT Standard dates are Saturdays October 10, November 14 and December 12, 2026, and January 9, January 30 and March 13, 2027.…SSAT vs ISEE: the real differences for 2026–27The SSAT bases the test level on your child's current grade, while the ISEE uses the grade they're applying to. The Middle and Upper SSAT take off…What is a good SSAT score? Averages by gradeThe official sources checked do not give a universal "good" SSAT score or cutoff, so a score only reads as strong or weak against your child's…What is the SSAT? Levels, sections, fees and scoresThe SSAT is an admissions test run by E3n and used by private and independent schools, given at three levels: Elementary for grades 3–4, Middle for…What's the highest SSAT score? Score ranges by levelThe highest SSAT score depends on the level: 800 per section and 2400 total at the Upper Level, 710 per section and 2130 total at the Middle Level,…When do SSAT scores come out?Paper SSAT scores usually come out within two weeks. SSAT at Home scores come the Wednesday after the test, and Prometric scores the Wednesday…Which SSAT level should my child take?Your child's SSAT level depends on their current grade: Elementary for grades 3–4, Middle for grades 5–7 and Upper for grades 8–11. E3n notes that…Which admissions tests penalize wrong answers?The Middle and Upper Level SSAT take off a quarter point for each wrong answer. The TACHS, HSPT, ISEE and Elementary SSAT have no penalty, and the…
Key facts
| Levels | SSAT level depends on the student's current grade: Elementary for grades 3-4, Middle for grades 5-7, and Upper for grades 8-11.1 |
|---|---|
| Test dates | The 2026-27 paper SSAT Standard dates are Saturdays October 10, November 14, and December 12, 2026, and January 9, January 30, and March 13, 2027.2 |
| Fees | 2026-27 SSAT fees in the US and Canada are $177 for a Middle/Upper Standard or school Flex test, $263 at home, $250 at Prometric, and $272 for Flex with a consultant; Elementary is $112 ($172 with a consultant).3 |
| Middle and Upper sections | The Middle and Upper SSAT has a 25-minute unscored writing sample, 50 math questions (two 30-minute parts), 40 reading questions (40 min), 60 verbal questions (30 min), and a 16-question unscored experimental section (15 min).4 |
| Score ranges | SSAT section scores range from 500-800 at the Upper Level, 440-710 at the Middle Level, and 300-600 at the Elementary Level, with totals of 1500-2400, 1320-2130, and 900-1800.5 |
| Guessing penalty | In 2026-27 the Middle and Upper SSAT still takes off a quarter point for each wrong answer (no change for skipped questions); the Elementary SSAT has no penalty.6 |
Sources
- What level of the SSAT will my student need to take? (admission.org help)
- Paper SSAT - Standard Paper Test Dates (admission.org, E3n)
- About the SSAT (admission.org, E3n; ssat.org redirects here)
- What's on the Upper Level SSAT? (admission.org help, 2026-07-24)
- Sample Upper Level SSAT Score Report (PDF, linked from admission.org)
- SSAT Candidate Handbook for Testing Year 2026-2027 (E3n, PDF)