| Quantitative (Math) | 30 minutes | 30 questions |
| Verbal | 20 minutes | 30 questions |
| Break | 15 minutes | |
| Reading | 30 minutes | 28 questions |
| Writing | 15 minutes | 1 picture prompt |
| Experimental | 15 minutes | 15-17 questions |
The Elementary Level SSAT is for students in grades 3 and 4.
There is no penalty for incorrect answers on the Elementary Level SSAT (sometimes this gets confused because there is a quarter-point penalty for incorrect answers on the Middle and Upper Levels). This means you should always guess if you don’t know the right answer.
Verbal, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative (Math) multiple-choice; The writing sample is ungraded, but it is sent to school admissions departments along with the test scores.
You will be shown an illustration and asked to write a short story about it. All versions of the SSAT include a short mixed section, in which the test-makers try out new questions. This section is unscored.
Every question has five possible answers.
You do not have to answer questions in order. You may skip over questions and return to them later.
The whole thing takes 2 hours and 5 minutes.
The Standard administration of the Elementary Level SSAT takes place on six Saturdays running from December to May.
The test score report includes the number of right, wrong, and unanswered questions. One point is added to your raw score for each correct answer. Unanswered questions do not affect the raw score. There is no penalty for incorrect answers on the Elementary Level SSAT (sometimes this gets confused because there is a quarter-point penalty for incorrect answers on the Middle and Upper Levels).
Every question has the same value. Raw scores within each section are converted into scaled scores.
On the Elementary Level SSAT, scaled scores range from 300 to 600. [The EL SSAT apparently does not include the 1/4-point score deduction for wrong answers]
You will also be given a total scaled score.
These scaled scores are also expressed on the score report as two percentile scores, one that compares your performance to that of all other students in your grade, and one that compares your performance with that of all other students with the same gender in your grade. Finally, the score report expresses your score on a scaled score range, which is a more general estimate of your skill levels in the various subject areas.
Students are only graded in comparison to others in their grade level, even though the test content may be the same for students in different grades.
You are not allowed to use a calculator or any other tool.
You must bring your own #2 pencils, and they must be wooden pencils with erasers.
You and your school will receive copies of the score report two or three weeks after the exam.
If you know that you did poorly, you can cancel your exam scores. However, your request for cancellation must be received by mail, email, or fax by the Tuesday after your test day.