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.

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]
| Section | What the cards cover | Scored questions |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal | Synonyms, antonyms, analogy relationships & vocabulary | 60 (30 synonyms + 30 analogies) |
| Quantitative | Arithmetic, algebra, geometry & data formulas | 50 (two math sections) |
| Reading | Main idea, inference, tone & literary terms | 40 (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.
Yes. Flashcards use active recall — retrieving an answer from memory — which research shows is one of the most effective ways to make information stick, especially for the vocabulary, math facts, and reading terms the SSAT tests.
All three scored sections: Verbal (synonyms, antonyms, analogy relationships, and vocabulary), Quantitative (arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data formulas), and Reading Comprehension (main idea, inference, tone, and literary terms).
Mix the modes: flip to learn, type to test recall, match for speed, and quiz to check yourself. Start early, review daily, and drill your weakest section — vocabulary cards repay the most, since Verbal is the SSAT's largest section.
Yes — 100% free, all four study modes, no paywall.
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 answerHide answer
Hide — hide; to keep out of sight
- Synonym for NOVICE?
Show answerHide answer
Beginner — beginner; someone new to an activity
- Synonym for SOLEMN?
Show answerHide answer
Serious — serious; grave and dignified
- Synonym for STURDY?
Show answerHide answer
Robust — robust; strongly built and durable
- Synonym for HUMBLE?
Show answerHide answer
Modest — modest; not proud or arrogant
- Synonym for VACANT?
Show answerHide answer
Empty — empty; not occupied
- Synonym for PRAISE?
Show answerHide answer
Compliment — compliment; to express approval
- Synonym for ANCIENT?
Show answerHide answer
Old — old; from the distant past
- Synonym for BRAVE?
Show answerHide answer
Courageous — courageous; showing no fear
- Synonym for GRIEF?
Show answerHide answer
Sorrow — sorrow; deep sadness
- Synonym for WITHER?
Show answerHide answer
Shrivel — shrivel; to dry up and shrink
- Synonym for MURMUR?
Show answerHide answer
Whisper — whisper; to speak very softly
- Synonym for SUFFICIENT?
Show answerHide answer
Enough — enough; as much as is needed
- Synonym for FOE?
Show answerHide answer
Enemy — enemy; an opponent
- Synonym for COMMENCE?
Show answerHide answer
Begin — begin; to start
- Synonym for PECULIAR?
Show answerHide answer
Strange — strange; odd or unusual
- Synonym for ABUNDANT?
Show answerHide answer
Plentiful — plentiful; existing in large amounts
- Synonym for BENEVOLENT?
Show answerHide answer
Kind — kind; well-meaning and generous
- Synonym for CANDID?
Show answerHide answer
Honest — honest; frank and straightforward
- Synonym for DILIGENT?
Show answerHide answer
Hardworking — hardworking; careful and persistent
- Synonym for ELOQUENT?
Show answerHide answer
Articulate — articulate; fluent and persuasive in speech
- Synonym for FRUGAL?
Show answerHide answer
Thrifty — thrifty; careful with money
- Synonym for GREGARIOUS?
Show answerHide answer
Sociable — sociable; fond of company
- Synonym for HOSTILE?
Show answerHide answer
Unfriendly — unfriendly; aggressively opposed
- Synonym for IMMENSE?
Show answerHide answer
Huge — huge; extremely large
- Synonym for JOVIAL?
Show answerHide answer
Cheerful — cheerful; full of good humor
- Synonym for LETHARGIC?
Show answerHide answer
Sluggish — sluggish; lacking energy
- Synonym for METICULOUS?
Show answerHide answer
Careful — careful; very precise about details
- Synonym for NIMBLE?
Show answerHide answer
Agile — agile; quick and light in movement
- Synonym for OBSCURE?
Show answerHide answer
Unclear — unclear; not easily understood or seen
- Synonym for PLACID?
Show answerHide answer
Calm — calm; peaceful and untroubled
- Synonym for QUAINT?
Show answerHide answer
Charmingly old-fashioned — charmingly old-fashioned
- Synonym for RESILIENT?
Show answerHide answer
Tough — tough; able to recover quickly
- Synonym for SCARCE?
Show answerHide answer
Rare — rare; in short supply
- Synonym for TEDIOUS?
Show answerHide answer
Boring — boring; long and tiresome
- Synonym for VIVID?
Show answerHide answer
Bright — bright; producing strong, clear images
- Synonym for WARY?
Show answerHide answer
Cautious — cautious; on guard against danger
- Synonym for ZEALOUS?
Show answerHide answer
Enthusiastic — enthusiastic; eagerly devoted
- Synonym for ARDUOUS?
Show answerHide answer
Difficult — difficult; requiring great effort
- Synonym for BRISK?
Show answerHide answer
Quick — quick; energetic and lively
- Synonym for COURTEOUS?
Show answerHide answer
Polite — polite; showing good manners
- Synonym for DWINDLE?
Show answerHide answer
Shrink — shrink; to gradually grow less
- Synonym for ELATED?
Show answerHide answer
Overjoyed — overjoyed; very happy
- Synonym for FEEBLE?
Show answerHide answer
Weak — weak; lacking strength
- Synonym for GENUINE?
Show answerHide answer
Real — real; authentic, not fake
- Antonym for ANCIENT?
Show answerHide answer
Modern — the opposite meaning.
- Antonym for CONCEAL?
Show answerHide answer
Reveal — the opposite meaning.
- Antonym for HUMBLE?
Show answerHide answer
Arrogant — the opposite meaning.
- Antonym for ABUNDANT?
Show answerHide answer
Scarce — the opposite meaning.
- Antonym for BRAVE?
Show answerHide answer
Cowardly — the opposite meaning.
- Antonym for EXPAND?
Show answerHide answer
Contract — the opposite meaning.
- Antonym for PRAISE?
Show answerHide answer
Criticize — the opposite meaning.
- Antonym for VACANT?
Show answerHide answer
Occupied — the opposite meaning.
- Antonym for FRUGAL?
Show answerHide answer
Wasteful — the opposite meaning.
- Antonym for HOSTILE?
Show answerHide answer
Friendly — the opposite meaning.
- Antonym for LETHARGIC?
Show answerHide answer
Energetic — the opposite meaning.
- Antonym for OBSCURE?
Show answerHide answer
Obvious — the opposite meaning.
- Antonym for PLACID?
Show answerHide answer
Agitated — the opposite meaning.
- Antonym for SCARCE?
Show answerHide answer
Plentiful — the opposite meaning.
- Antonym for GENUINE?
Show answerHide answer
Fake — the opposite meaning.
- Analogy type: Synonym analogy?
Show answerHide answer
Both pairs are synonyms. happy : joyful :: sad : sorrowful
- Analogy type: Antonym analogy?
Show answerHide answer
Both pairs are opposites. hot : cold :: tall : short
- Analogy type: Part to whole?
Show answerHide answer
First word is a part of the second. petal : flower :: page : book
- Analogy type: Whole to part?
Show answerHide answer
First word contains the second. book : page :: flock : bird
- Analogy type: Worker to tool?
Show answerHide answer
A worker and the tool they use. painter : brush :: writer : pen
- Analogy type: Worker to product?
Show answerHide answer
A worker and what they make. author : novel :: composer : symphony
- Analogy type: Worker to workplace?
Show answerHide answer
A worker and where they work. teacher : classroom :: chef : kitchen
- Analogy type: Cause and effect?
Show answerHide answer
First causes the second. rain : flood :: spark : fire
- Analogy type: Degree / intensity?
Show answerHide answer
Same idea, stronger. warm : scalding :: cool : freezing
- Analogy type: Object to function?
Show answerHide answer
An object and what it does. knife : cut :: pen : write
- Analogy type: Category to member?
Show answerHide answer
A group and an example. reptile : snake :: vehicle : car
- Analogy type: Item to group?
Show answerHide answer
One item and its collection. wolf : pack :: bird : flock
- Analogy type: Item to container?
Show answerHide answer
A thing and what holds it. book : library :: painting : gallery
- Analogy type: Clothing to body part?
Show answerHide answer
Clothing and where it goes. glove : hand :: sock : foot
- How do you attack a synonym question?
Show answerHide 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 answerHide 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 answerHide 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 answerHide answer
Make your bridge sentence more specific until only one answer survives.
- How can roots and prefixes help on Verbal?
Show answerHide answer
They estimate an unknown word's meaning. 'Bene-' means good (benevolent, benefit); 'mal-' means bad (malice).
- Common prefix: un-, in-, dis-?
Show answerHide answer
They mean 'not' or 'opposite of': unhappy, invisible, disagree.
- Common prefix: re-?
Show answerHide answer
It means 'again' or 'back': rewrite, return, review.
- Common prefix: pre-?
Show answerHide answer
It means 'before': preview, prepare, predict.
- Common root: -dict-?
Show answerHide answer
It means 'to say or speak': dictate, predict, contradict.
- Common root: -port-?
Show answerHide answer
It means 'to carry': transport, portable, export.
- SSAT Verbal section: format?
Show answerHide answer
60 questions in 30 minutes — 30 synonyms and 30 analogies
- SSAT score: what matters most to schools?
Show answerHide answer
Your percentile (1–99), comparing you to same grade and gender over 3 years
- SSAT levels?
Show answerHide answer
Elementary (grades 3–4), Middle (grades 5–7), Upper (grades 8–11)
- Who publishes the SSAT?
Show answerHide answer
The Enrollment Management Association (EMA), formerly SSATB
- Synonym for AMIABLE?
Show answerHide answer
Friendly — friendly; good-natured
- Synonym for BRUSQUE?
Show answerHide answer
Abrupt — abrupt; blunt in manner
- Synonym for CORDIAL?
Show answerHide answer
Warm — warm; friendly and sincere
- Synonym for DORMANT?
Show answerHide answer
Inactive — inactive; temporarily asleep or resting
- Synonym for ENIGMA?
Show answerHide answer
Mystery — mystery; something puzzling
- Synonym for FICKLE?
Show answerHide answer
Changeable — changeable; not steady
- Synonym for GAUNT?
Show answerHide answer
Thin — thin; bony and haggard
- Synonym for HAMPER?
Show answerHide answer
Hinder — hinder; to slow or block
- Synonym for IMPARTIAL?
Show answerHide answer
Fair — fair; not favoring one side
- Synonym for JUBILANT?
Show answerHide answer
Joyful — joyful; triumphantly happy
- Synonym for KEEN?
Show answerHide answer
Sharp — sharp; eager or perceptive
- Synonym for LAVISH?
Show answerHide answer
Extravagant — extravagant; very generous or abundant
- Synonym for MUNDANE?
Show answerHide answer
Ordinary — ordinary; dull and everyday
- Synonym for NOVEL (ADJ.)?
Show answerHide answer
New — new; original and unusual
- Synonym for OPAQUE?
Show answerHide answer
Unclear — unclear; not see-through
- Synonym for PENSIVE?
Show answerHide answer
Thoughtful — thoughtful; deep in reflection
- Synonym for QUELL?
Show answerHide answer
Suppress — suppress; to put an end to
- Synonym for REBUKE?
Show answerHide answer
Scold — scold; to criticize sharply
- Synonym for SERENE?
Show answerHide answer
Calm — calm; peaceful and untroubled
- Synonym for TRIVIAL?
Show answerHide answer
Unimportant — unimportant; of little value
- Synonym for UNDERMINE?
Show answerHide answer
Weaken — weaken; to erode the base of
- Synonym for VERBOSE?
Show answerHide answer
Wordy — wordy; using too many words
- Synonym for WHIMSICAL?
Show answerHide answer
Playful — playful; fanciful or unpredictable
- Synonym for YEARN?
Show answerHide answer
Long for — long for; to desire strongly
- Synonym for ZENITH?
Show answerHide answer
Peak — peak; the highest point
- Synonym for ADEPT?
Show answerHide answer
Skilled — skilled; highly proficient
- Synonym for BOUNTIFUL?
Show answerHide answer
Plentiful — plentiful; abundant
- Synonym for CONCISE?
Show answerHide answer
Brief — brief; short and to the point
- Synonym for DETER?
Show answerHide answer
Discourage — discourage; to prevent by fear
- Synonym for ERRATIC?
Show answerHide answer
Irregular — irregular; unpredictable
- Synonym for FUTILE?
Show answerHide answer
Useless — useless; pointless
- Synonym for HAUGHTY?
Show answerHide answer
Arrogant — arrogant; proud and scornful
- Synonym for INEPT?
Show answerHide answer
Clumsy — clumsy; lacking skill
- Synonym for LANGUID?
Show answerHide answer
Sluggish — sluggish; lacking energy
- Synonym for MONOTONOUS?
Show answerHide answer
Repetitive — repetitive; dull and unvarying
- Synonym for OBSTINATE?
Show answerHide answer
Stubborn — stubborn; refusing to change
- Synonym for PRUDENT?
Show answerHide answer
Wise — wise; careful and sensible
- Synonym for RASH?
Show answerHide answer
Reckless — reckless; hasty without thought
- Synonym for SPARSE?
Show answerHide answer
Thin — thin; thinly scattered
- Synonym for TRANQUIL?
Show answerHide answer
Calm — calm; peaceful and quiet
- Synonym for VIGILANT?
Show answerHide answer
Watchful — watchful; keeping careful watch
- Synonym for WANE?
Show answerHide answer
Decrease — decrease; to grow smaller
- Synonym for ADVERSARY?
Show answerHide answer
Opponent — opponent; an enemy or rival
- Synonym for BAFFLE?
Show answerHide answer
Confuse — confuse; to puzzle completely
- Synonym for CEASE?
Show answerHide answer
Stop — stop; to bring to an end
- Synonym for DISMAL?
Show answerHide answer
Gloomy — gloomy; depressing
- Synonym for AMPLE?
Show answerHide answer
Plentiful — plentiful; more than enough
- Synonym for FEIGN?
Show answerHide answer
Pretend — pretend; to fake
- Synonym for GRIM?
Show answerHide answer
Stern — stern; harsh and forbidding
- Synonym for HINDER?
Show answerHide answer
Obstruct — obstruct; to get in the way of
- Analogy relationship: Bird : flock :: ?
Show answerHide answer
Whole/group — many birds make a flock (wolf : pack)
- Analogy relationship: Library : books :: ?
Show answerHide answer
Container — a library holds books (gallery : paintings)
- Analogy relationship: Hot : cold :: ?
Show answerHide answer
Antonym — opposites (tall : short)
- Analogy relationship: Petal : flower :: ?
Show answerHide answer
Part to whole — a petal is part of a flower (page : book)
- Analogy relationship: Glove : hand :: ?
Show answerHide answer
Clothing/body — a glove goes on a hand (sock : foot)
- Analogy relationship: Rain : flood :: ?
Show answerHide answer
Cause and effect — too much rain causes a flood (spark : fire)
- Analogy relationship: Happy : joyful :: ?
Show answerHide answer
Synonym/degree — joyful is very happy (sad : sorrowful)
- Analogy relationship: Knife : cut :: ?
Show answerHide answer
Object/function — a knife is used to cut (pen : write)
- Analogy relationship: Teacher : classroom :: ?
Show answerHide answer
Worker/workplace — a teacher works in a classroom (chef : kitchen)
- Analogy relationship: Whisper : shout :: ?
Show answerHide answer
Degree — a shout is a loud whisper (walk : run)
- Analogy relationship: Warm : scalding :: ?
Show answerHide answer
Degree — scalding is extremely warm (cool : freezing)
- Analogy relationship: Painter : brush :: ?
Show answerHide answer
Worker/tool — a painter uses a brush (writer : pen)
- Analogy relationship: Reptile : snake :: ?
Show answerHide answer
Category/member — a snake is a reptile (vehicle : car)
- Analogy relationship: Joke : laughter :: ?
Show answerHide answer
Cause and effect — a joke causes laughter (insult : anger)
- Analogy relationship: Drop : ocean :: ?
Show answerHide answer
Part to whole, tiny — a drop is a small part of an ocean (grain : beach)
Quantitative (Math) (70)
- Area of a rectangle?
Show answerHide answer
length × width
- Area of a triangle?
Show answerHide answer
½ × base × height (height perpendicular to the base)
- Area of a circle?
Show answerHide answer
π × r² (r = radius)
- Circumference of a circle?
Show answerHide answer
2 × π × r, or π × diameter
- Perimeter of a rectangle?
Show answerHide answer
2 × (length + width)
- Volume of a rectangular box?
Show answerHide answer
length × width × height
- Sum of a triangle's interior angles?
Show answerHide answer
Always 180°
- Sum of angles on a straight line?
Show answerHide answer
180°
- Sum of angles around a point?
Show answerHide answer
360°
- Pythagorean theorem?
Show answerHide answer
a² + b² = c² for a right triangle (c is the hypotenuse)
- Order of operations (PEMDAS)?
Show answerHide answer
Parentheses, Exponents, Multiply/Divide (left→right), Add/Subtract (left→right)
- What is a prime number?
Show answerHide answer
A whole number > 1 whose only factors are 1 and itself: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11…
- Only even prime number?
Show answerHide answer
2 — every other even number is divisible by 2
- Negative × negative = ?
Show answerHide answer
A positive number
- Negative × positive = ?
Show answerHide answer
A negative number
- Any nonzero number to the first power?
Show answerHide answer
Itself: n¹ = n
- Any nonzero number to the zero power?
Show answerHide answer
1: n⁰ = 1
- How do you find a percent of a number?
Show answerHide answer
Convert the percent to a decimal and multiply. 60% of 85 = 0.60 × 85 = 51
- How do you find percent change?
Show answerHide answer
Change ÷ original value × 100. From 80 to 100: 20 ÷ 80 = 25% increase
- How do you solve a proportion?
Show answerHide answer
Cross-multiply. 3/75 = 8/x → 3x = 600 → x = 200
- Mean (average) of a data set?
Show answerHide answer
Sum of the values ÷ how many values there are
- Median of a data set?
Show answerHide answer
The middle value when the numbers are in order
- Mode of a data set?
Show answerHide answer
The value that appears most often
- Range of a data set?
Show answerHide answer
Largest value − smallest value
- How do you solve 5x − 7 = 28?
Show answerHide answer
Add 7: 5x = 35. Divide by 5: x = 7. Undo +/− before ×/÷.
- Slope in y = mx + b?
Show answerHide answer
m — the coefficient of x; b is the y-intercept
- What is the y-intercept?
Show answerHide answer
Where a line crosses the y-axis — the b in y = mx + b
- How do you add fractions?
Show answerHide 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 answerHide answer
Multiply the numerators and the denominators. 2/3 × 3/4 = 6/12 = 1/2
- How do you divide fractions?
Show answerHide 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 answerHide answer
Divide the numerator by the denominator. 3/4 = 3 ÷ 4 = 0.75
- Convert a percent to a decimal?
Show answerHide answer
Drop the % and move the decimal two places left. 25% = 0.25
- Convert a decimal to a percent?
Show answerHide answer
Move the decimal two places right and add %. 0.4 = 40%
- What is an integer?
Show answerHide answer
A whole number, positive, negative, or zero — no fractions or decimals
- What is the greatest common factor (GCF)?
Show answerHide answer
The largest number that divides two numbers evenly. GCF of 12 and 18 = 6
- What is the least common multiple (LCM)?
Show answerHide answer
The smallest number both numbers divide into. LCM of 4 and 6 = 12
- Average speed formula?
Show answerHide answer
distance ÷ time
- How do you estimate a sum quickly?
Show answerHide answer
Round each number first. 6.92 + 3.05 ≈ 7 + 3 = 10
- Probability of an event?
Show answerHide answer
Favorable outcomes ÷ total outcomes — always between 0 and 1
- What is an exponent?
Show answerHide answer
How many times to multiply a number by itself. 2³ = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8
- Area of a square?
Show answerHide answer
side × side (side²)
- What does 'sum' mean?
Show answerHide answer
The result of adding numbers
- What does 'difference' mean?
Show answerHide answer
The result of subtracting one number from another
- What does 'product' mean?
Show answerHide answer
The result of multiplying numbers
- What does 'quotient' mean?
Show answerHide answer
The result of dividing one number by another
- Next term in 5, 11, 17, 23, …?
Show answerHide answer
29 — add 6 each time (an arithmetic sequence)
- How do you find a fraction of a number?
Show answerHide answer
Multiply. 2/3 of 12 = (2 × 12) ÷ 3 = 8
- What is a ratio?
Show answerHide answer
A comparison of two quantities, like 5 to 8 or 5:8
- Reduce the ratio 65:104?
Show answerHide answer
Divide both by 13 → 5:8
- Sum of angles in a quadrilateral?
Show answerHide answer
360°
- SSAT Quantitative section: format?
Show answerHide answer
50 questions across two 30-minute math sections — no calculator
- SSAT guessing penalty (Middle & Upper)?
Show answerHide answer
+1 correct, −¼ point per wrong answer, 0 for omitted. Eliminate one choice, then guess.
- Smart-guessing rule on the SSAT?
Show answerHide answer
Each question has 5 choices; if you can eliminate even one, guessing is statistically worth it
- Upper Level SSAT scaled score range?
Show answerHide answer
500–800 per section (1500–2400 total)
- Middle Level SSAT scaled score range?
Show answerHide answer
440–710 per section
- What is a factor?
Show answerHide answer
A number that divides another evenly. Factors of 12: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12
- What is a multiple?
Show answerHide answer
The product of a number and an integer. Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16…
- What is an even number?
Show answerHide answer
An integer divisible by 2 (…, −2, 0, 2, 4, …)
- What is an odd number?
Show answerHide answer
An integer not divisible by 2 (…, −1, 1, 3, 5, …)
- What is the absolute value of −7?
Show answerHide answer
7 — the distance from zero, always non-negative
- What is the reciprocal of 3/4?
Show answerHide answer
4/3 — flip the numerator and denominator
- Percent of increase from 40 to 50?
Show answerHide answer
Change 10 ÷ original 40 = 25% increase
- What is a right angle?
Show answerHide answer
An angle of exactly 90°
- What is an obtuse angle?
Show answerHide answer
An angle greater than 90° but less than 180°
- What is an acute angle?
Show answerHide answer
An angle less than 90°
- Diameter vs radius?
Show answerHide answer
The diameter is twice the radius; it passes through the center
- How do you average a set of numbers?
Show answerHide answer
Add them and divide by how many there are
- What is a variable?
Show answerHide answer
A letter that stands for an unknown number, like x or n
- Solve 8n = 2n + 30?
Show answerHide answer
Subtract 2n: 6n = 30. Divide by 6: n = 5
- What is the perimeter of a shape?
Show answerHide answer
The total distance around its outside (sum of all sides)
Reading Comprehension (39)
- What is the main idea of a passage?
Show answerHide answer
The central point the whole text supports — broader than any one detail
- How do you find the main idea?
Show answerHide answer
Ask what the author most wants you to understand; check the first and last sentences
- What is a supporting detail?
Show answerHide answer
A specific fact or example the passage states to back up the main idea
- What is an inference?
Show answerHide answer
A conclusion the passage implies but doesn't state outright
- How do you make a strong inference?
Show answerHide answer
Combine the text's clues with logic; pick the best-supported, not the most dramatic, choice
- What signals an inference question?
Show answerHide answer
Words like 'suggests', 'implies', 'most likely', or 'the author would probably agree'
- What is tone?
Show answerHide answer
The author's attitude toward the subject — admiring, critical, nostalgic, humorous, neutral
- How do you determine tone?
Show answerHide answer
Look at word choice; charged or emotional words reveal the author's attitude
- What is author's purpose?
Show answerHide answer
Why the passage was written — to persuade, inform, describe, or entertain
- What is vocabulary in context?
Show answerHide 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 answerHide answer
Read the whole sentence, predict a meaning that fits, then choose the closest answer
- Golden rule of SSAT reading?
Show answerHide answer
Every answer must be supported by the passage — never by outside knowledge
- What is a primary (main) idea question trap?
Show answerHide answer
An answer that is true but too narrow (one detail) or too broad (beyond the passage)
- What is a metaphor?
Show answerHide answer
A comparison that says one thing IS another without 'like' or 'as': 'time is a thief'
- What is a simile?
Show answerHide answer
A comparison using 'like' or 'as': 'brave as a lion'
- What is personification?
Show answerHide answer
Giving human qualities to non-human things: 'the wind whispered'
- What is a theme?
Show answerHide answer
The underlying message or lesson of a story (e.g. perseverance, friendship)
- What is the difference between fact and opinion?
Show answerHide answer
A fact can be proven; an opinion is a belief or judgment
- What is the setting of a story?
Show answerHide answer
The time and place in which the events happen
- What is the narrator?
Show answerHide answer
The voice telling the story — first person ('I') or third person ('he/she/they')
- What is a passage's structure?
Show answerHide answer
How it is organized — e.g. chronological, cause-effect, compare-contrast, problem-solution
- How should you handle SSAT reading passages?
Show answerHide 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 answerHide answer
An inference — what the text suggests without stating directly
- Types of SSAT reading passages?
Show answerHide answer
Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry — usually 7–8 short passages
- What is a counterargument?
Show answerHide answer
A point that opposes the author's claim, often raised so it can be answered
- SSAT Reading section: format?
Show answerHide answer
40 questions in 40 minutes on 7–8 short passages
- SSAT Writing Sample: is it scored?
Show answerHide answer
No — it's an unscored essay, but a copy is sent to every school you apply to
- What is an antagonist?
Show answerHide answer
The character or force that opposes the main character
- What is a protagonist?
Show answerHide answer
The main character of a story
- What is foreshadowing?
Show answerHide answer
Hints early in a text about what will happen later
- What is dialogue?
Show answerHide answer
The spoken words between characters, usually in quotation marks
- What is a stanza?
Show answerHide answer
A grouped set of lines in a poem, like a paragraph
- What is rhyme?
Show answerHide answer
Matching end sounds in words (moon / June)
- What is point of view?
Show answerHide answer
Who is telling the story — first person ('I') or third person
- What is a summary?
Show answerHide answer
A short restatement of a passage's main points in your own words
- What is context?
Show answerHide answer
The surrounding words and ideas that give a word or sentence meaning
- What is a conclusion (in reading)?
Show answerHide answer
A judgment reached by combining the information a passage gives
- What is mood (in literature)?
Show answerHide answer
The feeling or atmosphere a passage creates in the reader
- What is a fable?
Show answerHide answer
A short story, often with animals, that teaches a moral lesson
References
- 1.The Enrollment Management Association. “About the SSAT.” ssat.org. ↑
- 2.The Enrollment Management Association. “SSAT Verbal Section.” ssat.org. ↑
- 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.
All PostsCareer 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.
