1. SSAT ELEMENTARY LEVEL Quantitative Section

The quantitative section of the fourth-grade test consists of 30 quantitative problems and lasts 30 minutes. These problems are a mixture of concepts considered the basis of the fourth-grade mathematics curriculum and a few that will challenge fourth-grade students.

Topics include number sense, properties and operations, algebra and functions, geometry and spatial sense, measurement, and probability. These problems reflect the following skills:

• Basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• Place value
• Ordering of numbers (greater than, less than)
• Fractions
• Basic concepts of geometry (shapes and their attributes)
• Basic concepts of measurement
• Interpretation of graphs

All the questions in this section are grade specific at each level.

2. SSAT ELEMENTARY LEVEL Verbal Section

• Synonyms
• Analogies

Synonyms

Synonyms are words with the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. The words do not need to have exactly the same meaning; therefore, learning synonyms enables students to differentiate between shades of meaning. The test focuses on grade appropriate vocabulary.

Analogies

An analogy is a statement saying that one thing is similar to another thing. Analogies help us make connections and see relationships based on knowledge we already possess. These questions require the student to demonstrate understanding of nuances in both word meanings and word relationships.

3. SSAT ELEMENTARY LEVEL Reading Section

The reading section of the fourth grade test consists of 28 multiple choice questions and takes 30 minutes to complete. There are six to seven short, grade-level appropriate passages, each with four to six multiple-choice questions associated with it. These passages may include biographies, prose, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.

Students are asked to locate information and find meaning. They are also asked to demonstrate literal, inferential, and evaluative comprehension. Questions ask the reader to show understanding of key ideas and details to determine the main idea of the text.

4. SSAT ELEMENTARY LEVEL Writing Sample

The writing sample allows students to express themselves through a written response to a picture prompt. The SSAT asks students to look at a picture, tell a story about what is happening, and make sure their story includes a beginning, a middle, and an end. The writing sample is not graded, but a copy is provided to the schools that receive your child’s score report.

5. SSAT ELEMENTARY LEVEL Experimental Section

The experimental section quality tests future SSAT questions to ensure they are reliable, secure, and acceptable. This section contains 16 questions and takes 15 minutes. This section is unscored.