Scoring

The Middle and Upper Levels of the SSAT have different scoring scales. SSAT scores are broken down by section (Verbal, Quantitative (Math), and Reading), and also include a total score, which is simply the sum of the three section scores. For the Middle Level test, the scoring scale ranges from 440–710 for each section, and 1320–2130 for the total score. For the Upper Level test, the scoring scale ranges from 500–800 for each section, and 1500–2400 for the total score.

It is important to note that there is a “guessing penalty” accounted into the way the SSAT is scored. Raw scores for each section of the test are calculated by adding 1 point for each question a student answers correctly and subtracting ¼ point for each incorrect answer. Questions left blank receive 0 points. Each question has 5 answer choices. This scoring system is meant to discourage students from randomly guessing on questions they don’t know the answers to or when they run out of time on a section. Though it might seem complicated, the decision whether or not to answer a question is a simple one: if you can eliminate even a single answer choice, it’s to your advantage to answer the question, even if you’re taking an educated guess among the other 4 answer choices.

All score reports are accompanied by a score range, which is meant to account for the possibility of score difference from test to test. Luck and chance always factor into a standardized test score, so this score range is meant to show students how they might fare on a “good day” versus a “bad day.” Score reports also include percentile information, which compares a student’s performance on the SSAT to that of other students of the same age/grade who have taken the SSAT in the US and Canada on a Standard Test date in the previous 3 years. For students who have taken the SSAT more than once, only their first set of scores is included in this information.

Because students taking the Middle Level test range from 5th to 7th grades, and students taking the Upper Level test range from 8th to 11th grades, it’s really important to take these percentiles scores into account. Clearly, a 7th grader will likely score better than a 5th grader on the Middle Level test. Likewise, an 11th grader would have an advantage over an 8th grader in taking the Upper Level test. The percentile scores account for these age differences.

Testing Accommodations

Students with learning differences may apply for testing accommodations by visiting ssat.org/TA. These accommodations include permission to mark answers directly in the test booklet, use of laptop computer with spelling aid for the writing sample, extra time (1.5x standard time per section). Note that students must be approved for testing accommodations before registering for a test.