Career Employer

Your FREE SSAT Flashcards 2026 – 250+ Cards

Realistic, SSAT exam-style flashcards across Verbal, Quantitative & Reading — flip, match, type, and quiz yourself.

How well do you know them?

To find us again, just search “Career Employer SSAT”

By

Click Study Flashcards above to open the flashcard hub — 250+ SSAT cards you can flip, match, type, or quiz yourself on. Every card is drawn from the three scored SSAT sections — Verbal, Quantitative, and Reading — so you study exactly what the exam tests.[1] Pair them with our free practice test and study guide.

SSAT Flashcard Study Modes

Flip mode lets you study one card at a time and check yourself at your own pace. Match turns terms and definitions into a timed pairing game. Type shows the definition and asks you to produce the term, so a prompt like Synonym for KEEN? has to come from memory. Quiz builds multiple-choice questions from the same cards when you want fast checks.

Free SSAT flashcards from Career Employer — active recall for Verbal, Quantitative, and Reading

Why Flashcards Work for the SSAT

Verbal (synonyms & analogies) is the largest section of the deck at 153 cards, and it is where most of your time will go. The cards drill single-word meanings the way the test asks for them, with prompts such as Synonym for FOE?, Synonym for RASH?, and Synonym for WANE? appearing in short, repeatable form. Mixed in is orientation material, including the card that asks SSAT levels?, so you know which version of the test you are preparing for before you start grinding vocabulary.

Quantitative (Math) holds 70 cards covering the definitions and formulas that arithmetic, algebra, and geometry questions assume you already know. You will see foundational vocabulary on cards like What is an integer? and What is a factor?, alongside geometry basics such as Area of a circle? and Diameter vs radius?. Statistics language shows up too, with Mode of a data set? drilling the kind of term that costs points when it is confused with median or mean.

Reading Comprehension rounds out the deck with 39 cards focused on the literary and structural terms that reading passages and their questions rely on. Cards such as What is tone?, What is a theme?, and What is context? cover how questions are framed, while poetry and prose vocabulary appears through prompts like What is a stanza? and What is a simile?. Knowing these terms cold means you spend your reading time on the passage instead of decoding what the question is asking for.

That matters for the SSAT, which rewards instant recall of vocabulary, analogy relationships, math formulas (area of a triangle, percent change), and reading terms. Used alongside our practice test and study guide, flashcards turn review time into measurable progress.[3]

SSAT Flashcards by Section

The cards are organized by the three scored SSAT sections. Weight your study toward Verbal — it is the largest section at 60 questions — and lock in the math formulas and reading terms you can memorize:[1]

SSAT flashcards by section (2026)
SectionWhat the cards coverScored questions
VerbalSynonyms, antonyms, analogy relationships & vocabulary60 (30 synonyms + 30 analogies)
QuantitativeArithmetic, algebra, geometry & data formulas50 (two math sections)
ReadingMain idea, inference, tone & literary terms40 (7–8 passages)

How to Get the Most Out of These Flashcards

  • Start with Verbal. At 153 cards it is more than half the deck, and vocabulary rewards early, repeated exposure better than any other section here.
  • Type-drill the synonyms. Cards like Synonym for GRIM? and Synonym for WARY? should be produced from memory, not recognized, since the test gives you no answer choices to lean on in analogies.
  • Use Match for definitions. The Reading Comprehension terms pair well in a timed game, so cards such as What is a fable? and What is rhyme? get quick, low-pressure repetition.
  • Move to the practice test once recall holds. When Quiz scores stay high across all three domains, shift to full sections and use the study guide for anything that still slips.
  • Rotate daily in small sets. Take a slice of Verbal every session, add a block of Quantitative (Math) or Reading Comprehension, and cycle back through 262 cards rather than cramming one domain.

SSAT Flashcards FAQ

Hundreds of free SSAT flashcards, organized across the three scored sections of the Middle and Upper Level SSAT — Verbal (synonyms and analogies), Quantitative (math), and Reading Comprehension. They're free to use with no account required.

SSAT flashcard bank

All 262 cards, by topic

A reference copy of every card in this deck. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to show it. To study with Flip, Match, Type and Quiz modes and track what you have mastered, use Study Flashcards at the top of the page.

Verbal (synonyms & analogies) (153)

Synonym for CONCEAL?
Show answer

Hide — hide; to keep out of sight

Synonym for NOVICE?
Show answer

Beginner — beginner; someone new to an activity

Synonym for SOLEMN?
Show answer

Serious — serious; grave and dignified

Synonym for STURDY?
Show answer

Robust — robust; strongly built and durable

Synonym for HUMBLE?
Show answer

Modest — modest; not proud or arrogant

Synonym for VACANT?
Show answer

Empty — empty; not occupied

Synonym for PRAISE?
Show answer

Compliment — compliment; to express approval

Synonym for ANCIENT?
Show answer

Old — old; from the distant past

Synonym for BRAVE?
Show answer

Courageous — courageous; showing no fear

Synonym for GRIEF?
Show answer

Sorrow — sorrow; deep sadness

Synonym for WITHER?
Show answer

Shrivel — shrivel; to dry up and shrink

Synonym for MURMUR?
Show answer

Whisper — whisper; to speak very softly

Synonym for SUFFICIENT?
Show answer

Enough — enough; as much as is needed

Synonym for FOE?
Show answer

Enemy — enemy; an opponent

Synonym for COMMENCE?
Show answer

Begin — begin; to start

Synonym for PECULIAR?
Show answer

Strange — strange; odd or unusual

Synonym for ABUNDANT?
Show answer

Plentiful — plentiful; existing in large amounts

Synonym for BENEVOLENT?
Show answer

Kind — kind; well-meaning and generous

Synonym for CANDID?
Show answer

Honest — honest; frank and straightforward

Synonym for DILIGENT?
Show answer

Hardworking — hardworking; careful and persistent

Synonym for ELOQUENT?
Show answer

Articulate — articulate; fluent and persuasive in speech

Synonym for FRUGAL?
Show answer

Thrifty — thrifty; careful with money

Synonym for GREGARIOUS?
Show answer

Sociable — sociable; fond of company

Synonym for HOSTILE?
Show answer

Unfriendly — unfriendly; aggressively opposed

Synonym for IMMENSE?
Show answer

Huge — huge; extremely large

Synonym for JOVIAL?
Show answer

Cheerful — cheerful; full of good humor

Synonym for LETHARGIC?
Show answer

Sluggish — sluggish; lacking energy

Synonym for METICULOUS?
Show answer

Careful — careful; very precise about details

Synonym for NIMBLE?
Show answer

Agile — agile; quick and light in movement

Synonym for OBSCURE?
Show answer

Unclear — unclear; not easily understood or seen

Synonym for PLACID?
Show answer

Calm — calm; peaceful and untroubled

Synonym for QUAINT?
Show answer

Charmingly old-fashioned — charmingly old-fashioned

Synonym for RESILIENT?
Show answer

Tough — tough; able to recover quickly

Synonym for SCARCE?
Show answer

Rare — rare; in short supply

Synonym for TEDIOUS?
Show answer

Boring — boring; long and tiresome

Synonym for VIVID?
Show answer

Bright — bright; producing strong, clear images

Synonym for WARY?
Show answer

Cautious — cautious; on guard against danger

Synonym for ZEALOUS?
Show answer

Enthusiastic — enthusiastic; eagerly devoted

Synonym for ARDUOUS?
Show answer

Difficult — difficult; requiring great effort

Synonym for BRISK?
Show answer

Quick — quick; energetic and lively

Synonym for COURTEOUS?
Show answer

Polite — polite; showing good manners

Synonym for DWINDLE?
Show answer

Shrink — shrink; to gradually grow less

Synonym for ELATED?
Show answer

Overjoyed — overjoyed; very happy

Synonym for FEEBLE?
Show answer

Weak — weak; lacking strength

Synonym for GENUINE?
Show answer

Real — real; authentic, not fake

Antonym for ANCIENT?
Show answer

Modern — the opposite meaning.

Antonym for CONCEAL?
Show answer

Reveal — the opposite meaning.

Antonym for HUMBLE?
Show answer

Arrogant — the opposite meaning.

Antonym for ABUNDANT?
Show answer

Scarce — the opposite meaning.

Antonym for BRAVE?
Show answer

Cowardly — the opposite meaning.

Antonym for EXPAND?
Show answer

Contract — the opposite meaning.

Antonym for PRAISE?
Show answer

Criticize — the opposite meaning.

Antonym for VACANT?
Show answer

Occupied — the opposite meaning.

Antonym for FRUGAL?
Show answer

Wasteful — the opposite meaning.

Antonym for HOSTILE?
Show answer

Friendly — the opposite meaning.

Antonym for LETHARGIC?
Show answer

Energetic — the opposite meaning.

Antonym for OBSCURE?
Show answer

Obvious — the opposite meaning.

Antonym for PLACID?
Show answer

Agitated — the opposite meaning.

Antonym for SCARCE?
Show answer

Plentiful — the opposite meaning.

Antonym for GENUINE?
Show answer

Fake — the opposite meaning.

Analogy type: Synonym analogy?
Show answer

Both pairs are synonyms. happy : joyful :: sad : sorrowful

Analogy type: Antonym analogy?
Show answer

Both pairs are opposites. hot : cold :: tall : short

Analogy type: Part to whole?
Show answer

First word is a part of the second. petal : flower :: page : book

Analogy type: Whole to part?
Show answer

First word contains the second. book : page :: flock : bird

Analogy type: Worker to tool?
Show answer

A worker and the tool they use. painter : brush :: writer : pen

Analogy type: Worker to product?
Show answer

A worker and what they make. author : novel :: composer : symphony

Analogy type: Worker to workplace?
Show answer

A worker and where they work. teacher : classroom :: chef : kitchen

Analogy type: Cause and effect?
Show answer

First causes the second. rain : flood :: spark : fire

Analogy type: Degree / intensity?
Show answer

Same idea, stronger. warm : scalding :: cool : freezing

Analogy type: Object to function?
Show answer

An object and what it does. knife : cut :: pen : write

Analogy type: Category to member?
Show answer

A group and an example. reptile : snake :: vehicle : car

Analogy type: Item to group?
Show answer

One item and its collection. wolf : pack :: bird : flock

Analogy type: Item to container?
Show answer

A thing and what holds it. book : library :: painting : gallery

Analogy type: Clothing to body part?
Show answer

Clothing and where it goes. glove : hand :: sock : foot

How do you attack a synonym question?
Show answer

Predict your own synonym before reading the choices, then pick the closest match. Watch for antonym traps.

How do you solve an analogy?
Show answer

Build a bridge sentence for the first pair (e.g. 'an author creates a novel'), then apply it to the second pair.

Why must analogy pairs stay in order?
Show answer

'Page is to book' (part to whole) is not the same as 'book is to page'. Keep both pairs in the same direction.

What if two analogy answers seem to fit?
Show answer

Make your bridge sentence more specific until only one answer survives.

How can roots and prefixes help on Verbal?
Show answer

They estimate an unknown word's meaning. 'Bene-' means good (benevolent, benefit); 'mal-' means bad (malice).

Common prefix: un-, in-, dis-?
Show answer

They mean 'not' or 'opposite of': unhappy, invisible, disagree.

Common prefix: re-?
Show answer

It means 'again' or 'back': rewrite, return, review.

Common prefix: pre-?
Show answer

It means 'before': preview, prepare, predict.

Common root: -dict-?
Show answer

It means 'to say or speak': dictate, predict, contradict.

Common root: -port-?
Show answer

It means 'to carry': transport, portable, export.

SSAT Verbal section: format?
Show answer

60 questions in 30 minutes — 30 synonyms and 30 analogies

SSAT score: what matters most to schools?
Show answer

Your percentile (1–99), comparing you to same grade and gender over 3 years

SSAT levels?
Show answer

Elementary (grades 3–4), Middle (grades 5–7), Upper (grades 8–11)

Who publishes the SSAT?
Show answer

The Enrollment Management Association (EMA), formerly SSATB

Synonym for AMIABLE?
Show answer

Friendly — friendly; good-natured

Synonym for BRUSQUE?
Show answer

Abrupt — abrupt; blunt in manner

Synonym for CORDIAL?
Show answer

Warm — warm; friendly and sincere

Synonym for DORMANT?
Show answer

Inactive — inactive; temporarily asleep or resting

Synonym for ENIGMA?
Show answer

Mystery — mystery; something puzzling

Synonym for FICKLE?
Show answer

Changeable — changeable; not steady

Synonym for GAUNT?
Show answer

Thin — thin; bony and haggard

Synonym for HAMPER?
Show answer

Hinder — hinder; to slow or block

Synonym for IMPARTIAL?
Show answer

Fair — fair; not favoring one side

Synonym for JUBILANT?
Show answer

Joyful — joyful; triumphantly happy

Synonym for KEEN?
Show answer

Sharp — sharp; eager or perceptive

Synonym for LAVISH?
Show answer

Extravagant — extravagant; very generous or abundant

Synonym for MUNDANE?
Show answer

Ordinary — ordinary; dull and everyday

Synonym for NOVEL (ADJ.)?
Show answer

New — new; original and unusual

Synonym for OPAQUE?
Show answer

Unclear — unclear; not see-through

Synonym for PENSIVE?
Show answer

Thoughtful — thoughtful; deep in reflection

Synonym for QUELL?
Show answer

Suppress — suppress; to put an end to

Synonym for REBUKE?
Show answer

Scold — scold; to criticize sharply

Synonym for SERENE?
Show answer

Calm — calm; peaceful and untroubled

Synonym for TRIVIAL?
Show answer

Unimportant — unimportant; of little value

Synonym for UNDERMINE?
Show answer

Weaken — weaken; to erode the base of

Synonym for VERBOSE?
Show answer

Wordy — wordy; using too many words

Synonym for WHIMSICAL?
Show answer

Playful — playful; fanciful or unpredictable

Synonym for YEARN?
Show answer

Long for — long for; to desire strongly

Synonym for ZENITH?
Show answer

Peak — peak; the highest point

Synonym for ADEPT?
Show answer

Skilled — skilled; highly proficient

Synonym for BOUNTIFUL?
Show answer

Plentiful — plentiful; abundant

Synonym for CONCISE?
Show answer

Brief — brief; short and to the point

Synonym for DETER?
Show answer

Discourage — discourage; to prevent by fear

Synonym for ERRATIC?
Show answer

Irregular — irregular; unpredictable

Synonym for FUTILE?
Show answer

Useless — useless; pointless

Synonym for HAUGHTY?
Show answer

Arrogant — arrogant; proud and scornful

Synonym for INEPT?
Show answer

Clumsy — clumsy; lacking skill

Synonym for LANGUID?
Show answer

Sluggish — sluggish; lacking energy

Synonym for MONOTONOUS?
Show answer

Repetitive — repetitive; dull and unvarying

Synonym for OBSTINATE?
Show answer

Stubborn — stubborn; refusing to change

Synonym for PRUDENT?
Show answer

Wise — wise; careful and sensible

Synonym for RASH?
Show answer

Reckless — reckless; hasty without thought

Synonym for SPARSE?
Show answer

Thin — thin; thinly scattered

Synonym for TRANQUIL?
Show answer

Calm — calm; peaceful and quiet

Synonym for VIGILANT?
Show answer

Watchful — watchful; keeping careful watch

Synonym for WANE?
Show answer

Decrease — decrease; to grow smaller

Synonym for ADVERSARY?
Show answer

Opponent — opponent; an enemy or rival

Synonym for BAFFLE?
Show answer

Confuse — confuse; to puzzle completely

Synonym for CEASE?
Show answer

Stop — stop; to bring to an end

Synonym for DISMAL?
Show answer

Gloomy — gloomy; depressing

Synonym for AMPLE?
Show answer

Plentiful — plentiful; more than enough

Synonym for FEIGN?
Show answer

Pretend — pretend; to fake

Synonym for GRIM?
Show answer

Stern — stern; harsh and forbidding

Synonym for HINDER?
Show answer

Obstruct — obstruct; to get in the way of

Analogy relationship: Bird : flock :: ?
Show answer

Whole/group — many birds make a flock (wolf : pack)

Analogy relationship: Library : books :: ?
Show answer

Container — a library holds books (gallery : paintings)

Analogy relationship: Hot : cold :: ?
Show answer

Antonym — opposites (tall : short)

Analogy relationship: Petal : flower :: ?
Show answer

Part to whole — a petal is part of a flower (page : book)

Analogy relationship: Glove : hand :: ?
Show answer

Clothing/body — a glove goes on a hand (sock : foot)

Analogy relationship: Rain : flood :: ?
Show answer

Cause and effect — too much rain causes a flood (spark : fire)

Analogy relationship: Happy : joyful :: ?
Show answer

Synonym/degree — joyful is very happy (sad : sorrowful)

Analogy relationship: Knife : cut :: ?
Show answer

Object/function — a knife is used to cut (pen : write)

Analogy relationship: Teacher : classroom :: ?
Show answer

Worker/workplace — a teacher works in a classroom (chef : kitchen)

Analogy relationship: Whisper : shout :: ?
Show answer

Degree — a shout is a loud whisper (walk : run)

Analogy relationship: Warm : scalding :: ?
Show answer

Degree — scalding is extremely warm (cool : freezing)

Analogy relationship: Painter : brush :: ?
Show answer

Worker/tool — a painter uses a brush (writer : pen)

Analogy relationship: Reptile : snake :: ?
Show answer

Category/member — a snake is a reptile (vehicle : car)

Analogy relationship: Joke : laughter :: ?
Show answer

Cause and effect — a joke causes laughter (insult : anger)

Analogy relationship: Drop : ocean :: ?
Show answer

Part to whole, tiny — a drop is a small part of an ocean (grain : beach)

Quantitative (Math) (70)

Area of a rectangle?
Show answer

length × width

Area of a triangle?
Show answer

½ × base × height (height perpendicular to the base)

Area of a circle?
Show answer

π × r² (r = radius)

Circumference of a circle?
Show answer

2 × π × r, or π × diameter

Perimeter of a rectangle?
Show answer

2 × (length + width)

Volume of a rectangular box?
Show answer

length × width × height

Sum of a triangle's interior angles?
Show answer

Always 180°

Sum of angles on a straight line?
Show answer

180°

Sum of angles around a point?
Show answer

360°

Pythagorean theorem?
Show answer

a² + b² = c² for a right triangle (c is the hypotenuse)

Order of operations (PEMDAS)?
Show answer

Parentheses, Exponents, Multiply/Divide (left→right), Add/Subtract (left→right)

What is a prime number?
Show answer

A whole number > 1 whose only factors are 1 and itself: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11…

Only even prime number?
Show answer

2 — every other even number is divisible by 2

Negative × negative = ?
Show answer

A positive number

Negative × positive = ?
Show answer

A negative number

Any nonzero number to the first power?
Show answer

Itself: n¹ = n

Any nonzero number to the zero power?
Show answer

1: n⁰ = 1

How do you find a percent of a number?
Show answer

Convert the percent to a decimal and multiply. 60% of 85 = 0.60 × 85 = 51

How do you find percent change?
Show answer

Change ÷ original value × 100. From 80 to 100: 20 ÷ 80 = 25% increase

How do you solve a proportion?
Show answer

Cross-multiply. 3/75 = 8/x → 3x = 600 → x = 200

Mean (average) of a data set?
Show answer

Sum of the values ÷ how many values there are

Median of a data set?
Show answer

The middle value when the numbers are in order

Mode of a data set?
Show answer

The value that appears most often

Range of a data set?
Show answer

Largest value − smallest value

How do you solve 5x − 7 = 28?
Show answer

Add 7: 5x = 35. Divide by 5: x = 7. Undo +/− before ×/÷.

Slope in y = mx + b?
Show answer

m — the coefficient of x; b is the y-intercept

What is the y-intercept?
Show answer

Where a line crosses the y-axis — the b in y = mx + b

How do you add fractions?
Show answer

Find a common denominator, add the numerators, keep the denominator. 1/4 + 1/4 = 2/4 = 1/2

How do you multiply fractions?
Show answer

Multiply the numerators and the denominators. 2/3 × 3/4 = 6/12 = 1/2

How do you divide fractions?
Show answer

Multiply by the reciprocal (flip the second fraction). 1/2 ÷ 1/4 = 1/2 × 4/1 = 2

Convert a fraction to a decimal?
Show answer

Divide the numerator by the denominator. 3/4 = 3 ÷ 4 = 0.75

Convert a percent to a decimal?
Show answer

Drop the % and move the decimal two places left. 25% = 0.25

Convert a decimal to a percent?
Show answer

Move the decimal two places right and add %. 0.4 = 40%

What is an integer?
Show answer

A whole number, positive, negative, or zero — no fractions or decimals

What is the greatest common factor (GCF)?
Show answer

The largest number that divides two numbers evenly. GCF of 12 and 18 = 6

What is the least common multiple (LCM)?
Show answer

The smallest number both numbers divide into. LCM of 4 and 6 = 12

Average speed formula?
Show answer

distance ÷ time

How do you estimate a sum quickly?
Show answer

Round each number first. 6.92 + 3.05 ≈ 7 + 3 = 10

Probability of an event?
Show answer

Favorable outcomes ÷ total outcomes — always between 0 and 1

What is an exponent?
Show answer

How many times to multiply a number by itself. 2³ = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8

Area of a square?
Show answer

side × side (side²)

What does 'sum' mean?
Show answer

The result of adding numbers

What does 'difference' mean?
Show answer

The result of subtracting one number from another

What does 'product' mean?
Show answer

The result of multiplying numbers

What does 'quotient' mean?
Show answer

The result of dividing one number by another

Next term in 5, 11, 17, 23, …?
Show answer

29 — add 6 each time (an arithmetic sequence)

How do you find a fraction of a number?
Show answer

Multiply. 2/3 of 12 = (2 × 12) ÷ 3 = 8

What is a ratio?
Show answer

A comparison of two quantities, like 5 to 8 or 5:8

Reduce the ratio 65:104?
Show answer

Divide both by 13 → 5:8

Sum of angles in a quadrilateral?
Show answer

360°

SSAT Quantitative section: format?
Show answer

50 questions across two 30-minute math sections — no calculator

SSAT guessing penalty (Middle & Upper)?
Show answer

+1 correct, −¼ point per wrong answer, 0 for omitted. Eliminate one choice, then guess.

Smart-guessing rule on the SSAT?
Show answer

Each question has 5 choices; if you can eliminate even one, guessing is statistically worth it

Upper Level SSAT scaled score range?
Show answer

500–800 per section (1500–2400 total)

Middle Level SSAT scaled score range?
Show answer

440–710 per section

What is a factor?
Show answer

A number that divides another evenly. Factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12

What is a multiple?
Show answer

The product of a number and an integer. Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16…

What is an even number?
Show answer

An integer divisible by 2 (…, −2, 0, 2, 4, …)

What is an odd number?
Show answer

An integer not divisible by 2 (…, −1, 1, 3, 5, …)

What is the absolute value of −7?
Show answer

7 — the distance from zero, always non-negative

What is the reciprocal of 3/4?
Show answer

4/3 — flip the numerator and denominator

Percent of increase from 40 to 50?
Show answer

Change 10 ÷ original 40 = 25% increase

What is a right angle?
Show answer

An angle of exactly 90°

What is an obtuse angle?
Show answer

An angle greater than 90° but less than 180°

What is an acute angle?
Show answer

An angle less than 90°

Diameter vs radius?
Show answer

The diameter is twice the radius; it passes through the center

How do you average a set of numbers?
Show answer

Add them and divide by how many there are

What is a variable?
Show answer

A letter that stands for an unknown number, like x or n

Solve 8n = 2n + 30?
Show answer

Subtract 2n: 6n = 30. Divide by 6: n = 5

What is the perimeter of a shape?
Show answer

The total distance around its outside (sum of all sides)

Reading Comprehension (39)

What is the main idea of a passage?
Show answer

The central point the whole text supports — broader than any one detail

How do you find the main idea?
Show answer

Ask what the author most wants you to understand; check the first and last sentences

What is a supporting detail?
Show answer

A specific fact or example the passage states to back up the main idea

What is an inference?
Show answer

A conclusion the passage implies but doesn't state outright

How do you make a strong inference?
Show answer

Combine the text's clues with logic; pick the best-supported, not the most dramatic, choice

What signals an inference question?
Show answer

Words like 'suggests', 'implies', 'most likely', or 'the author would probably agree'

What is tone?
Show answer

The author's attitude toward the subject — admiring, critical, nostalgic, humorous, neutral

How do you determine tone?
Show answer

Look at word choice; charged or emotional words reveal the author's attitude

What is author's purpose?
Show answer

Why the passage was written — to persuade, inform, describe, or entertain

What is vocabulary in context?
Show answer

Figuring out a word's meaning from the surrounding sentence, not a memorized definition

How do you do a vocabulary-in-context question?
Show answer

Read the whole sentence, predict a meaning that fits, then choose the closest answer

Golden rule of SSAT reading?
Show answer

Every answer must be supported by the passage — never by outside knowledge

What is a primary (main) idea question trap?
Show answer

An answer that is true but too narrow (one detail) or too broad (beyond the passage)

What is a metaphor?
Show answer

A comparison that says one thing IS another without 'like' or 'as': 'time is a thief'

What is a simile?
Show answer

A comparison using 'like' or 'as': 'brave as a lion'

What is personification?
Show answer

Giving human qualities to non-human things: 'the wind whispered'

What is a theme?
Show answer

The underlying message or lesson of a story (e.g. perseverance, friendship)

What is the difference between fact and opinion?
Show answer

A fact can be proven; an opinion is a belief or judgment

What is the setting of a story?
Show answer

The time and place in which the events happen

What is the narrator?
Show answer

The voice telling the story — first person ('I') or third person ('he/she/they')

What is a passage's structure?
Show answer

How it is organized — e.g. chronological, cause-effect, compare-contrast, problem-solution

How should you handle SSAT reading passages?
Show answer

Read for the main idea, then go back to the passage to find support for each answer

What does 'the author implies' ask for?
Show answer

An inference — what the text suggests without stating directly

Types of SSAT reading passages?
Show answer

Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry — usually 7–8 short passages

What is a counterargument?
Show answer

A point that opposes the author's claim, often raised so it can be answered

SSAT Reading section: format?
Show answer

40 questions in 40 minutes on 7–8 short passages

SSAT Writing Sample: is it scored?
Show answer

No — it's an unscored essay, but a copy is sent to every school you apply to

What is an antagonist?
Show answer

The character or force that opposes the main character

What is a protagonist?
Show answer

The main character of a story

What is foreshadowing?
Show answer

Hints early in a text about what will happen later

What is dialogue?
Show answer

The spoken words between characters, usually in quotation marks

What is a stanza?
Show answer

A grouped set of lines in a poem, like a paragraph

What is rhyme?
Show answer

Matching end sounds in words (moon / June)

What is point of view?
Show answer

Who is telling the story — first person ('I') or third person

What is a summary?
Show answer

A short restatement of a passage's main points in your own words

What is context?
Show answer

The surrounding words and ideas that give a word or sentence meaning

What is a conclusion (in reading)?
Show answer

A judgment reached by combining the information a passage gives

What is mood (in literature)?
Show answer

The feeling or atmosphere a passage creates in the reader

What is a fable?
Show answer

A short story, often with animals, that teaches a moral lesson

References

  1. 1.The Enrollment Management Association. “About the SSAT.” ssat.org. ↑
  2. 2.The Enrollment Management Association. “SSAT Verbal Section.” ssat.org. ↑
  3. 3.Institute of Education Sciences (U.S. Dept. of Education). “Organizing Instruction and Study to Improve Student Learning (Practice Guide).” What Works Clearinghouse, IES. ↑
Career Employer

Career Employer is the ultimate resource to help you get started working the job of your dreams. We cover topics from general career information, career searching, exam preparation with free study materials, career interviewing, and becoming successful in your career of choice.

Follow Us:

All Posts

Career Employer’s Editorial Process

Here at Career Employer, we focus a lot on providing factually accurate information that is always up to date. We strive to provide correct information using strict editorial processes, article editing, and fact-checking for all of the information found on our website. We only utilize trustworthy and relevant resources. To find out more, make sure to read our full editorial process page here.