SSAT Testing in 2021

For students considering the SSAT during the new testing year (August 1, 2021 – July 31, 2022), there are significant changes to available testing opportunities, and families will have several options to consider as they sketch out their child’s individual application plan.

Register to Take the SSAT At Home

Students may take the test via SSAT-At-Home. Testing takes place on a student’s home computer, with students monitored by a remote proctor as they navigate the test. During the pre-test set-up, proctors will conduct a computer check to make sure no prohibited windows or tabs are open, ask the parents to help students scan the room using their computer’s webcam, and, finally, take a selfie with the computer, all as part of a strict set of security requirements. Students will also be recorded during the test for security purposes. Tests are available one weekend per month on either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Students can begin their test between 12pm and 6pm, depending on availability. Results should be available in four business days.

Test at a Prometric Test Center

As an alternative, a student may take a test at a Prometric facility. Prometric testing also allows a family to select a test date and time convenient for the student instead of being limited to SSAT-At-Home weekend testing dates or the few national dates offering paper testing. Prometric facilities have very restrictive testing procedures that families should be aware of (e.g., parents must remain at the test center for the duration of the test). Additionally, there may be students of various ages, including adults, taking other tests in the same Prometric room. Test results should be available in four business days.

Please note that between the SSAT-At-Home and the Prometric testing, a student may only take 3 computer-based exams during the testing year (again, 8/1/21 — 7/31/22).

Take a Paper Test on a National Test Date

This year, the SSAT has returned to offering paper-based tests at selected schools on the national testing dates. However, options are more limited than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. Please be sure to check for options convenient for your family. A student may register for up to six school-based tests.

Take a Paper Flex Test

Finally, students may take a Flex SSAT with a private educational consultant. Flex tests are usually taken one-on-one, although some consultants may offer group sessions. These tests are paper-based, and a family schedules their student’s test date directly with the consultant. Please note that there is an additional charge for Flex Testing by the consultant, which is separate from the SSAT fee for test registration. Additionally, a student may only take one Flex test between August 1 and November 14, 2021 and one further Flex test between November 29, 2021 and July 31, 2022. Test results should be available within two weeks of the test date.

For additional information, please visit https://www.ssat.org/testing/overview.

To locate a Flex Consultant, please visit https://search.ssat.org/test-center-search.

PrepMatters recommends that families discuss which testing method may work best for their student and then review their calendar. In our experience, it is helpful to plan on at least two testing dates between now and three weeks before their prospective school applications are due so that test results may be delivered in time to both the family and the school. Additionally, PrepMatters will offer standard-time and extended-time SSAT practice tests each weekend in its offices in Bethesda, McLean, and Tenley.

Although many of the in-school test locations are limited, we should still have more flexibility this fall in terms of planning and preparing for the SSAT. We look forward to working with you and your student on their testing and admissions journey.

Updated August 30, 2021