The SSAT

+
The Official Study Guide for the
Elementary Level
Grade 4

SSAT Includes:
Section Overviews and Study Tips
Practice Test Questions

The only prep guide written by the SSAT Test Development Team
 An Admission Checklist
❏ Create an Account on [Link]

❏ Apply for Testing Accommodations and/or Sunday Testing, if Needed

Pre-approval is required before a test registration can be created.

❏ Choose a Test Date and Site

Use our easy test center search to find a site close to home.

❏ Select Score Recipients

List the schools to which you are applying during online registration, or wait until after
you receive your scores.

❏ Order Additional Services

SSAT offers, for additional fees, options to receive printed copies of your scores and alerts
to view your scores the moment they are available.

❏ Pay
Fees are payable by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and Discover). Fee waivers are available
from member schools for those in need. Contact a school to which you are applying in
order to request a fee waiver.

❏ Print your Admission Ticket

These tickets list important test information including administration policies, location
details, special instructions, and items to bring with you on test day.

❏ Prepare and Practice

The best way to prepare for the SSAT is to become familiar with its format and practice
using questions developed by the same team that writes the SSAT. You can do all that in
this book!

❏ Apply to Schools the Easy Way!

Make applying easier by using the Standard Application Online (SAO). Create just one
online application to apply to schools. Learn more at [Link]/sao.

All this and more can be completed and managed through [Link]!

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America.
The Enrollment Management Association’s mission is to provide unparalleled leadership and service in meeting the admission assessment and
enrollment needs of schools, students, and families.
The Enrollment Management Association is dedicated to the principle of equal opportunity, and its programs, services, and employment poli-
cies are guided by that principle.
SSAT, Secondary School Admission Test, and the SSAT logo are registered trademarks of the The Enrollment Management Association.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form
or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without prior written permission of The Enrollment Manage-
ment Association. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the
publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Brief quotations or excerpts of this publication for use in reviews or professional works are permitted
as provided under intellectual property law.

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 2

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

Contents
Welcome...................................................................................................................................... 4

What is the ssat?...................................................................................................................5-6

SSAT Testing Levels...................................................................................................................6

Overview of the Elementary Level SSAT................................................................................7

The Quantitative Section.................................................................................................................................................... 8-9

The Verbal Section........................................................................................................................................................... 10-12

The Reading Section....................................................................................................................................................... 13-14

The Writing Sample......................................................................................................................................................... 15-16

The Experimental Section.................................................................................................................................................... 17

Elementary SSAT Scoring.......................................................................................................18

Score Reporting Services........................................................................................................18

Helpful Tips...............................................................................................................................18

Contact Us..................................................................................................................................18

Frequently Asked Questions..................................................................................................19

Practice Questions.............................................................................................................20-33

Test Day Checklist................................................................................................................... 34

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 3

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

Welcome!

If you are in the process of having your child apply to one or more of the independent schools around
the world that rely on the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) as an admission assessment tool, this
guide is for you.

This is an exciting time in your child’s academic life, and we have designed this guide to help demystify
the testing process. As you read through this document, you’ll find an overview of the individual test
sections, sample problems, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Please contact us if you have questions or concerns—like you, we want your child to feel confident and
well prepared.

Sincerely,

Heather Hoerle, Executive Director, The Enrollment Management Association

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 4

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

What is the SSAT?

The SSAT is designed for students who are seeking entrance to independent schools worldwide. The purpose
of the SSAT is to measure the basic verbal, quantitative, and reading skills students develop over time that are
needed for successful performance in independent schools. The SSAT provides independent school admission
professionals with meaningful information about the possible academic success of potential students at their
institutions, regardless of background or experience.

The SSAT is not an achievement test. A classroom math test, for example, is an achievement test: the teacher
specifically designs it to evaluate how much students know about what is covered in class. The SSAT, on the other
hand, is designed to measure the verbal, quantitative, and reading skills that have been acquired, rather than focusing
on mastery of particular course materials.

How is the SSAT Designed?

The SSAT measures three constructs: verbal, quantitative, and reading skills that students develop, both in and out
of school. It emphasizes the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for academic success.

The SSAT is constructed to be of middle difficulty for those who take the test. The distribution of question
difficulties is set so that the test will effectively differentiate among test takers, who vary in their level of skills.

In developing the SSAT, review committees composed of content experts and independent school teachers are
convened. The committees reach consensus regarding the appropriateness of the questions. Questions judged to
be acceptable after the committee review are then pretested and analyzed. Questions that are statistically sound
are assembled into test forms. New questions are constantly being tested to ensure the tests remain current.
These questions appear in the experimental section of the test.

Is the Elementary Level SSAT Reliable?

The SSAT is very reliable. The scaled score reliability is higher than or close to .85 for all three measures, which is
considered high in the educational field.

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 5

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

The SSAT is a Norm-Referenced Test

The SSAT is a norm-referenced test. A norm-referenced test interprets an individual test-taker’s score relative to
the distribution of scores for a comparison group, referred to as the norm group. The Elementary Level SSAT norm
group consists of all the test takers (same grade) who have taken the test for the first time in the United States and
Canada in the last three years.

The SSAT reports percentiles, which are referenced to the performance of the norm group. For example, if you
are in the fourth grade, and your percentile on the verbal section is 90%, it means that the scores of 90% of all the
other fourth grade students (who took the test in the preceding three years) fall at or below your score. The same
scaled score on the SSAT may have a different percentile from year to year.

In contrast, a criterion-referenced test interprets a test-taker’s performance without reference to the performance
of other test takers. For example, if your percent correct from a classroom math test would be 90% if you answered
90% of the questions correctly. Your score is not referenced to the performance of anyone else in your class.

It is important to remember that the SSAT norm group is highly competitive. Students are being compared to all
the other students in the same grade who are taking this test for admission into independent schools, which can
be quite selective and competitive. Most important to remember is that the SSAT is just one piece of information
considered by schools when making admission decisions and, for the vast majority of schools, students with a
wide range of SSAT scores are admitted.

The SSAT is a Standardized Test

Although each year several different SSAT forms are administered, the SSAT is administered and scored in
a consistent (standard) manner. The reported scores (or scaled scores) are comparable and can be used
interchangeably, regardless of which test form students take. A scaled score of 500 on the December 2018
Elementary Level fourth grade verbal section, for example, has the same meaning as the scaled score of 500
on the March 2019 Elementary Level fourth grade verbal section, although the forms are different. Score
interchangeability is achieved through a statistical procedure referred to as score equating. Score equating is used
to adjust for minor form difficulty differences, so that the resulting scores can be compared directly.

Standard also refers to the way in which tests are developed and administered. A standard process for writing,
testing, and analyzing questions—before they ever appear on a live test—is used. Precise instructions are provided
to qualified and experienced test administrators from the moment students are admitted to the test center until
the time of dismissal. Any deviations from the uniform testing conditions are reported by the test administrator.
Of course, a student may apply for testing accommodations, but the processes and procedures for the test’s
administration remain the same.

SSAT Testing Levels

There are currently three testing levels for the SSAT. The Elementary Level tests are for students in grades 3 and 4.
Because of the learning and growth that takes place during the third and fourth grades, separate tests are constructed
for each grade. The Middle Level is for students in grades 5-7. The Upper Level is for students in grades 8-11.

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 6

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

Overview of The Elementary Level SSAT

The Elementary Level SSATs are multiple-choice admission tests that consist of five sections plus a break, given
in this order:

Number of Time Allotted to

Section Administer Each Section
Questions
Section 1 (Quantitative) 30 30

Section 2 (Verbal) 30 20

Break 15

Section 3 (Reading) 28 30

Writing Sample 1 prompt 15

Experimental Section Varies from 15-17 15

Totals 104-106* 2 hours, 5 minutes

*Depending on the number of questions in the experimental section

Each test booklet is barcoded with information identifying your child, including registration ID, name, grade, and
gender. Your child marks answers directly in the test book by filling in the circle next to his/her answer choice.

2018-19 Test Registration Calendar

Test Date Regular Late Registration Rush Registration Last Day for
Registration Begins Begins Test Registration
Starts August 1, 2018 ($45 additional) ($85 additional) Without Testing Accommodations
and ends: Begins 12:00 am EST on: Begins 12:00 am EST on: Ends 11:59 pm EST on:

Saturday, December 8, 2018 November 17, 2018 November 18, 2018 November 25, 2018 Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Saturday, January 5, 2019 December 15, 2018 December 16, 2018 December 23, 2018 Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Saturday, February 2, 2019 January 12, 2019 January 13, 2019 January 20, 2019 Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Saturday, March 2, 2019 February 9, 2019 February 10, 2019 February 17, 2019 Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Saturday, April 27, 2019 April 6, 2019 April 7, 2019 April 14, 2019 Wednesday, April 24, 2019

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 7

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

The Quantitative Section + + +++++++

+ +
The quantitative section of the fourth grade test consists of thirty Just the Facts
quantitative problems. These problems are a mixture of concepts that are
considered to be the basis of the fourth grade mathematics curriculum and The Quantitative
a few that will challenge the fourth grade student. Topics covered include Section
number sense, properties, and operations, algebra and functions, geometry Number of questions:
and spatial sense, measurement, and probability. These questions reflect 30
the following skills:
Scored section:
• Basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division Yes

• Place value Time allotted:

30 minutes
• Ordering of numbers (greater than, less than)

• Fractions

• Basic concepts of geometry (shapes and their attributes)

• Basic concepts of measurement

• Interpretation of graphs

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 8

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

How are the Quantitative Questions Presented

on the Test?
EXAMPLE: 1. There are 30 rows of seats on each side of the aisle in the school auditorium. If there are 11
seats on the left and 11 seats on the right, how many seats are there in the auditorium?

Ⓐ 30
Ⓑ 60
Ⓒ 330
Ⓓ 333
Ⓔ 660

Option Ⓔ is the correct answer. Option Ⓐ is incorrect as the student just picked the first number remembered.
Option Ⓑ is incorrect because the student added 30 seats on each side. Option Ⓒ is incorrect because the
student only multiplied one side of the auditorium. Option Ⓓ is incorrect because the student multiplied
incorrectly. This question tests basic multiplication skills, and as it is a word problem, it does not specifically state
the mathematical operation necessary to solve it. The student’s task is also to consider the information in the
problem in order to determine what operation is necessary to solve the problem.

EXAMPLE:

2. What is the perimeter of the box above?

Ⓐ 11
Ⓑ 12
Ⓒ 16
Ⓓ 22
Ⓔ 24

Option Ⓓ is the correct answer. Option Ⓐ is incorrect as the student added the length and the height. Option
Ⓑ is incorrect as the student added the length and the height incorrectly. Option Ⓒ is incorrect because the
student added only the long sides together. Option Ⓔ is incorrect because the student multiplied length times
height. This question tests basic concepts of geometry and measurement.

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 9

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

The Verbal Section + + +++++++

+ +
The verbal section of the test has two parts. The first is a synonym section Just the Facts
and the second is an analogies section. These sections test understanding
of language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. The Verbal Section
Number of questions:
Synonyms 30
Scored section:
Synonyms are words that have the same or nearly the same meaning as
another word. The words do not need to have exactly the same meaning,
Yes
and therefore learning synonyms enables students to differentiate between Time allotted:
shades of meaning. This allows them to be more precise in their own 20 minutes
speech and writing, and also to understand subtleties in the speech and
writing of others. For example, large and big are synonyms, as are beautiful
and pretty. The test focuses on vocabulary appropriate to the fourth grade,
pulling words from all areas of fourth grade study including science, technology, and social studies.

How are the Synonym Questions Presented

on the Test?
EXAMPLE: 1. Exhibit
Ⓐ search
Ⓑ hide
Ⓒ display
Ⓓ capture
Ⓔ leave

Option Ⓒ display is the correct answer because display is a synonym of exhibit. Option Ⓐ is incorrect because to
search is to look for something rather than to exhibit it. Option Ⓑ hide is an antonym of exhibit. Option Ⓓ could
be related to the correct answer, as a captured animal might be exhibited in a zoo, but capture is not a synonym
of exhibit. Option Ⓔ is incorrect since leave means to depart, or to let something remain as it is.

EXAMPLE: 2. Rare
Ⓐ bright
Ⓑ cold
Ⓒ typical
Ⓓ unusual
Ⓔ heavy

Option Ⓓ unusual is the correct answer because unusual is a synonym of rare. Option Ⓐ bright may describe
rare gemstones, but bright is not a synonym of rare. Option Ⓑ is incorrect because cold refers to the
temperature of something rather than to how infrequent or uncommon something may be. Option Ⓒ typical is
an antonym of rare. Option Ⓔ is incorrect since rare is not related to the weight of something

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 10

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

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 types of comparisons play an important role
in improving problem solving and decision making skills, perception and memory, communication, and reasoning
skills, as well as reading and building vocabulary. Analogies help students to process information actively, make
important decisions, and improve understanding and long-term memory. Considering the relationships stimulates
critical and creative thinking. These questions require the student to demonstrate understanding of nuances in
both word meanings and word relationships.

Examples of Common Categories of Analogies:

• Opposites or antonyms: up is to down as short is to tall

• Synonyms or words with identical or similar meanings: big is to large as little is to small

• Characteristic: pillow is to soft as blanket is to warm

• Part to whole: trunk is to tree as stem is to flower

• Uses: broom is to sweep as pencil is to write

• Users: hammer is to carpenter as brush is to painter

• Category: robin is to bird as shark is to fish

• Product to Producer: poem is to poet as statue is to sculptor

• Degree: snow is to blizzard as rain is to hurricane

• Homonyms: four is to for as see is to sea

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 11

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

How are the Analogy Questions Presented

on the Test?
The classic approach to figuring out analogies is the “bridge sentence.” The student looks at the question pair
(below it is “gorgeous is to hideous”) and decides what the connection is between the two words. In this case
the connection is opposites, so the bridge sentence might be “gorgeous is the opposite of hideous.” Then, the
student looks at the options and turns them into the same bridge sentence. The student does this with each word
pair until the sentence makes sense.

EXAMPLE: 1. Gorgeous is to hideous as

Ⓐ sweet is to flavorful
Ⓑ hidden is to distant
Ⓒ warm is to hot
Ⓓ pretty is to beautiful
Ⓔ wonderful is to horrible

The correct answer is Ⓔ. Gorgeous is the opposite of hideous, just as wonderful is the opposite of horrible.
Option Ⓐ is a category connection in that something flavorful can be sweet. Option Ⓑ is incorrect because
something hidden is not the opposite of it being distant. Option Ⓒ is a relationship of degree, not a relationship
of opposites. Option Ⓓ is incorrect because the two words are synonyms.

EXAMPLE: 2. Tadpole is to frog as

Ⓐ dolphin is to whale
Ⓑ soil is to plant
Ⓒ eagle is to bird
Ⓓ flower is to tree
Ⓔ chrysalis is to butterfly

Option Ⓔ is the correct answer. A tadpole changes into a frog as it matures, just as a chrysalis changes into a
butterfly as it matures. Option Ⓐ is incorrect because a dolphin does not become a whale as it matures. Option
Ⓑ is incorrect because soil does not turn into a plant, whereas a seed does. Option Ⓒ is incorrect because
an eagle is a type of bird, but it does not change into a bird. Option Ⓓ is incorrect because a flower does not
become a tree as it matures.

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 12

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

The Reading Section + + +++++++

+ +
The reading section of the fourth grade test consists of six to seven short, Just the Facts
grade-level appropriate passages, each with four to six multiple-choice
questions associated with it. These passages may include biographies, The Reading
prose, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Students are asked to locate Section
information and find meaning. They are also asked to demonstrate literal, Number of questions:
inferential, and evaluative comprehension. Questions ask the reader to 28
show understanding of key ideas and details to determine the main idea
Scored section:
of the text. Additionally, they ask the reader to determine the meaning of
Yes
words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from
non-literal language. Time allotted:
30 minutes

How are the Reading Questions

Presented on the Test?
EXAMPLE: Scientists were collecting bats in a South Sudan Game Preserve in July 2012
when they noticed that one of the bats in their nets looked nothing like the oth-
ers. Not only did the female bat’s striking, panda-like two-colored patches stand
out, but the bat’s anatomy was also distinct, featuring a larger skull, differently
Line 5 shaped ears, bigger teeth, and longer wingtips.
Upon review, the team noticed the bat had been described before—first
in 1939, by R. W. Hayman, a zoologist from the British Museum. Hayman had
studied a specimen retrieved from farther north, in what was then known as the
Belgian Congo. At that time, he’d identified the flying mammal as belonging to a
Line 10
group characterized by spots and stripes, and stunted snouts.
Some people have nicknamed the creature “panda bat,” because the
resemblance of the patterns on the bat’s face to a panda are striking.

1. From the bat’s nickname we know that it

Ⓐ is female
Ⓑ is bear-like
Ⓒ is very small
Ⓓ has big ears
Ⓔ is black and white

Option Ⓔ is correct. Pandas are black and white. Option Ⓐ is incorrect because while it is true that it is female, it
has nothing to do with the nickname. Option Ⓑ is incorrect because it isn’t at all like a bear. Option Ⓒ is incorrect
for the same reason as Ⓐ, it’s true but not connected to the nickname. Option Ⓓ is incorrect because the passage
doesn’t say anything about the size of the ears. This question tests the ability of a student to show understanding
of key ideas and details they are used in a text.

Continued

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 13

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

The Reading Section (continued)

2. The word “retrieved” (line 6) as used in the passage means
Ⓐ sent away
Ⓑ played with
Ⓒ brought back
Ⓓ turned around
Ⓔ described before

Option Ⓒ is correct. The specimen was brought back from farther north. Option Ⓐ is incorrect because nothing
was sent away in the passage. Options Ⓑ and Ⓓ are incorrect because no one was playing with or turning around
anything in the passage. Option Ⓔ is incorrect because while things are being described, it has nothing to do with
the word “retrieved.” This question tests the ability of a student to show understanding of the meaning of words
and phrases as they are used in a text.

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 14

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

The Writing Sample + + +++++++

+ +
The writing sample gives the student a chance to express him/herself Just the Facts
through a written response to a picture prompt. The student is asked to
The Writing Sample
look at a picture and tell a story about what is happening and to be sure
his/her story includes a beginning, a middle, and an end. This writing Number of prompts:
sample is not graded, but a copy is provided to schools to which your 1
child’s score report is sent. Scored section:
No
How is the Writing Sample Time allotted:
15 minutes
Presented on the Test?

Look at the picture and tell a story about what happened. Make sure your story includes a beginning, a middle, and
an end.

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 15

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 16

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

The Experimental Section + + +++++++

+ +
The experimental section of the fourth grade test contains mixed content Just the Facts
questions (verbal, reading, and math). This section does not count toward
reported scores. The Experimental
Section
What it measures Number of questions:
Ranges from 15 to 17
The SSAT test development team continuously tests new questions to
make sure they are reliable, suitable, and acceptable for the SSAT. These Scored section:
questions may be used on a future SSAT form. No
Time allotted:
Note: Testing accommodation students requiring 1.5x time do not 15 minutes
complete the experimental section.

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 17

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

Elementary Level SSAT Scoring

Your child’s Elementary Level SSAT score report will contain the following information:

Number of Items: The number of items in the content sections and subsections.

Number Correct: The number of correct answers for the content sections and subsections.

Percent Correct: The percentage of correct answers for the content sections and subsections.

Scaled Score: A score that has a range of values from 300 to 600.

Scaled Score Percentile: The scaled score percentile is a score that has values from 1 to 99. It compares
performance to other students taking the same examination.

Total Scaled Score: The total scaled score is the sum of the scaled scores for the quantitative, verbal, and reading
sections. It has a minimum value of 900 and a maximum value of 1800.

Score Reporting Services

A free copy of your child’s score report will be available online via your SSAT account. For an additional fee, you
may opt to receive score reports by mail ($25) or FedEx ($35). In addition, you can receive a text or email alerting
you when your scores are ready ($15).

Helpful Tips
The best way to help your child prepare for the Elementary Level SSAT is to review the test format beforehand,
including layout, structure, instructions, and time allotment. Looking at practice questions together is an excellent
way to demystify the process.

In the days leading up to the test, be sure that your child gets adequate rest. Provide a healthy breakfast on the
test day and encourage your child to bring a break-time snack and drink.

Be careful not to add unnecessary stress. While it’s always important to encourage your child to do his/her best
work, don’t overemphasize the importance of the test.

Be sure to remind your child to listen carefully to the test administrator, who will provide all the instructions he/
she needs to take the test successfully.

If your child is sick on testing day, you have up to one week after the scheduled test date to book a seat for
another test date (if available). A change fee applies.

Contact Us
If you need assistance or have additional questions, please call us Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST
at 609-683-4440, email us at info@[Link], or “chat” with us via [Link].

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 18

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools use my child’s scores?
Schools use your child’s scores in different ways—to estimate your child’s ability to succeed in their programs,
to compare your child’s performance with other applicants for admission, and/or to compare the test score with
your child’s present academic record. Each school evaluates a child’s scores according to its own standards and
requirements. Specific questions about how test scores are used in the admission process should be directed to
the school’s admission officer.

Are testing accommodations such as extra time available for the Elementary Level SSAT?
Yes, families who can provide documentation verifying that their child routinely receives accommodations in his/
her current academic setting may apply for testing accommodations. Accommodations must be approved prior
to test registration.

How many times can my child take the Elementary Level SSAT?
Your child may take the Fourth Grade SSAT twice during the testing year (December 1- July 31).

Are snacks or drinks allowed on the day of the test?

Yes, your child may bring snacks and beverages for consumption during the break. Snacks and beverages should
be in a clear plastic bag and may not be consumed during testing.

Can my child use the restroom during the test?

A 15-minute break is provided during the test for trips to the restroom. A child may raise his/her hand to use the
restroom at any time during the test, but may not make up the missed testing time.

Should my child guess if he/she doesn’t know the answer?

Encourage your child to try to answer every question, making his/her best guesses about the questions of which
he/she is unsure. There are no penalties for wrong answers.

How do I report my child’s scores to schools?

You may indicate the school’s name as a score recipient at the time of test registration, or you may wait to receive
your child’s scores before designating score recipients through your online SSAT account.

?
Are fee waivers available for the Elementary Level SSAT?
Yes, you may request a fee waiver from the school to which you are applying. A fee waiver covers the cost of the
test only and can be used in lieu of a credit card during test registration. Fee waivers are not available directly from
The Enrollment Management Association and must be obtained prior to test registration.

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 19

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

Practice
Questions
These practice questions are provided to
give you and your child a look at the types
of questions that will appear on the test.
It is also formatted exactly as the real test
book will appear to your child on test day.
Note that your child will mark answers
directly in the test book by filling in the
circle next to his/her answer choice. The
answer key is on page 33.
Please note that this is not the same length
as the actual SSAT Fourth Grade test.

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 20

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

Section 1
15 Practice Questions

Following each problem in this section, there are five suggested answers. Select the best answer from the five choices.
You may use the blank space provided to solve the problem.

Sample Question:
34 − 13 = _____
Ⓐ 19
Ⓑ 21
Ⓒ 37
Ⓓ 42
Ⓔ 47 Ⓐ Ⓑ Ⓒ
A ● C Ⓓ
D ⒺE

1. 2+ 5
4 12
Ⓐ 7
24
Ⓑ 6
14
Ⓒ 7
16
Ⓓ 7
12
Ⓔ 11
12
2. If one banana weighs 8 ounces, how much do 4 bananas weigh?
Ⓐ 12 ounces
Ⓑ 16 ounces
Ⓒ 22 ounces
Ⓓ 32 ounces
Ⓔ 40 ounces

3. Mia put her baseball cards in a binder. She split the cards evenly on 15 pages and there were 6 cards on each page.
Which equation will tell how many cards Mia has in her collection?
Ⓐ 15 ÷ C = 6
Ⓑ 6 × C = 15
Ⓒ 6 ÷ 15 = C
Ⓓ C ÷ 6 = 15
Ⓔ 15 + 6 = C

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 21

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

4. (8 + 4) ÷ =6
Ⓐ 2
Ⓑ 4
Ⓒ 6
Ⓓ 12
Ⓔ 18

5. Which list below are all examples of quadrilaterals?

Ⓐ triangle, parallelogram, kite
Ⓑ pentagon, nonagon, rhombus
Ⓒ equilateral, isosceles, scalene
Ⓓ rectangle, trapezoid, square
Ⓔ rhombus, isosceles, trapezoid

6. Two equal rectangles are put together to make a square. If the perimeter of the square is 36 inches, what is the
perimeter of one of the rectangles?
Ⓐ 18 inches
Ⓑ 26 inches
Ⓒ 27 inches
Ⓓ 28 inches
Ⓔ 36 inches

7. Maria threw the ball 40 centimeters. John threw the ball 0.5 meters. Ryan threw the ball 82 centimeters. Emily
threw the ball 0.9 meters. Anna threw the ball 8 centimeters. Who threw the ball the greatest distance?
Ⓐ Maria
Ⓑ John
Ⓒ Emily
Ⓓ Ryan
Ⓔ Anna

8. 4 is to 16 as 5 is to ____
Ⓐ 15
Ⓑ 16
Ⓒ 18
Ⓓ 25
Ⓔ 26

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 22

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

9. What is the total number of cupcakes sold on Day 1 and Day 3?

Ⓐ 25
Ⓑ 35
Ⓒ 55
Ⓓ 60
Ⓔ 75

Temperature on November 1
Miami 90°
Atlanta 82°
Seattle 65°
Portland 63°
Chicago 45°

10. What was the average temperature of these five cities on November 1?
Ⓐ 45°
Ⓑ 65°
Ⓒ 67°
Ⓓ 69°
Ⓔ 86°

11. If 24 ÷ m = 6, then 5 × m = ?
Ⓐ 30
Ⓑ 20
Ⓒ 9
Ⓓ 6
Ⓔ 4

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 23

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

12. 1.7m = _______ cm?

Ⓐ 0.17
Ⓑ 1.7
Ⓒ 17
Ⓓ 170
Ⓔ 1,700

13. If Area = 1 (base × vertical height), what is the area of ∆ABC?

2
Ⓐ 9 square units
Ⓑ 10 square units
Ⓒ 18 square units
Ⓓ 20 square units
Ⓔ 40 square units

14. Which fractions below are ordered from smallest to largest?

Ⓐ 2 , 2 , 2 , 2
6 8 10 12
Ⓑ 2, 2 , 2, 2
6 10 8 12
Ⓒ 2, 2, 2 , 2
8 6 12 10
Ⓓ 2 2 2 2
12, 10, 6, 8
Ⓔ 2 2 2 2
12, 10, 8, 6
15. Lily wants to buy a notebook that costs $3.50. She only has $2.45. Which coins could you give Lily so that she
would have exactly $3.50?
Ⓐ 1 nickel
Ⓑ 2 quarters and 1 nickel
Ⓒ 3 quarters and 2 dimes
Ⓓ 4 quarters and 1 nickel
Ⓔ 4 quarters, 1 dime, and 1 nickel

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 24

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

Section 2
14 Practice Questions
Synonyms
Each of the following questions consists of one word followed by five words or phrases. You are to select the one word
or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

Sample Question:
SLEEPY:
Ⓐ perky
Ⓑ fast
Ⓒ tired
Ⓓ sad Ⓐ Ⓑ Ⓒ
Ⓔ hungry
● Ⓓ Ⓔ

1. UNUSUAL: 5. ADAPT:
Ⓐ appropriate Ⓐ object
Ⓑ abnormal Ⓑ delight
Ⓒ regular Ⓒ disturb
Ⓓ native Ⓓ conform
Ⓔ bad Ⓔ maintain
2. IGNORANT: 6. ADEQUATE:
Ⓐ serious Ⓐ mild
Ⓑ creative Ⓑ ideal
Ⓒ forgetful Ⓒ perfect
Ⓓ knowledgeable Ⓓ optimal
Ⓔ unknowledgeable Ⓔ acceptable
3. ABOLISH: 7. FRANTIC:
Ⓐ confirm Ⓐ inferior
Ⓑ restore Ⓑ worried
Ⓒ finish Ⓒ reluctant
Ⓓ save Ⓓ paranoid
Ⓔ raze Ⓔ depressed
4. CONVEY:
Ⓐ quit
Ⓑ bare
Ⓒ keep
Ⓓ carry
Ⓔ refuse

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 25

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

Analogies
The following questions ask you to find relationships between words. For each question, select the answer choice that
best completes the meaning of the sentence.

Sample Question:
Book is to author as
Ⓐ clay is to sculptor
Ⓑ hammer is to carpenter
Ⓒ song is to composer
Ⓓ script is to actor Ⓐ Ⓑ ●
Ⓒ Ⓓ Ⓔ
Ⓔ microphone is to singer

Choice Ⓒ is the best answer because a book is written by an author, just as a song is written by a composer.
Of all the answer choices, Ⓒ states a relationship that is most like the relationship between book and author.

8. Listen is to music as 12. Hammer is to carpenter as brush is to

Ⓐ ball is to bat Ⓐ poet
Ⓑ choir is to sing Ⓑ author
Ⓒ floor is to mop Ⓒ painter
Ⓓ read is to book Ⓓ sculptor
Ⓔ laundry is to wash Ⓔ electrician
9. Simple is to complex as 13. Orange is to fruit as
Ⓐ muddy is to dirt Ⓐ lion is to jungle
Ⓑ sore is to painful Ⓑ poodle is to dog
Ⓒ hilarious is to funny Ⓒ fork is to dinner
Ⓓ miniature is to massive Ⓓ elephant is to cat
Ⓔ beautiful is to gorgeous Ⓔ goldfish is to bowl
10. Teacher is to school as 14. Ship is to captain as
Ⓐ horse is to ride Ⓐ bird is to fly
Ⓑ swim is to pool Ⓑ car is to road
Ⓒ coach is to field Ⓒ boat is to water
Ⓓ wagon is to pull Ⓓ airplane is to pilot
Ⓔ tunnel is to subway Ⓔ skateboard is to park
11. Apple is to pie as
Ⓐ tea is to coffee
Ⓑ lemon is to lime
Ⓒ cookie is to ice cream
Ⓓ chocolate is to cake
Ⓔ banana is to monkey

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 26

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

Section 3
12 Practice Questions

Read each passage carefully and then answer the questions about it. For each question, decide on the basis of
the passage which one of the choices best answers the question.

Dark brown is the river,

Golden is the sand.
It flows along forever,
With trees on either hand.

Line 5 Green leaves a-floating,

Castles of the foam,
Boats of mine a-boating-
Where will all come home?

On goes the river,

10 And out past the mill,
Away down the valley,
Away down the hill.

Away down the river,

A hundred miles or more,
15 Other little children
Shall bring my boats ashore.

1. Where are the trees? 3. Together, lines 9-12 are known as

Ⓐ near the mill Ⓐ an epic
Ⓑ in the golden sand Ⓑ a verse
Ⓒ on one side of the river Ⓒ a simile
Ⓓ in the dark brown river Ⓓ a stanza
Ⓔ on both sides of the river Ⓔ an idiom
2. The poet is 4. In line 4, “hand” could best be replaced with
Ⓐ trying to get home Ⓐ sky
Ⓑ taking a river cruise Ⓑ side
Ⓒ building castles of foam Ⓒ boat
Ⓓ floating boats in the river Ⓓ river
Ⓔ on a journey of a hundred miles Ⓔ valley

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 27

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

Harry Houdini was well known as the greatest magician and

escape artist in the world, even in the days before radio or television.
Despite what some people thought, he was born with no magical
powers. He studied and worked long and hard to be a magician. He
Line 5 started working on magic when he was a boy. Born in Budapest,
Hungary, in 1874, his real name was Erik Weisz. Shortly after Erik’s
birth, his father, Samuel, moved his family to America. They moved to
Appleton, Wisconsin. There, his name was changed to Ehrich, and the
family name to Weiss. Ehrich’s friends called him “Ehry.”
10 Mr. Weiss was a rabbi, the religious leader of the Jewish people in
Appleton. He had a very small congregation and it wasn’t able to pay
enough to support the family comfortably. While they grew up, Ehry
and his brothers earned money for the family by shining shoes and
selling newspapers. Whenever Ehry could find the time, he practiced
15 doing tricks. When he was nine, he hung ropes from a tree branch
to a wooden bar, and started practicing the trapeze. He was so good
on the homemade trapeze that a friend asked him to be in his five-
cent circus. Ehry billed himself “The Prince of the Air.” He loved the
clapping and the cheering of the boys and girls who watched him.
20 He also practiced rope escapes. He let friends tie his wrists behind his
back with a rope. After a few minutes, he held up the rope. Everyone
was amazed and wanted to know how he had escaped. Ehry only
smiled. He already knew the first rule of magic—never tell how you
do a trick!

5. Harry Houdini was best known for 7. What is the first rule of being a magician?
Ⓐ shining shoes and selling newspapers Ⓐ always be careful on the trapeze.
Ⓑ teaching other children how to do tricks Ⓑ keep how you do your tricks a secret.
Ⓒ his long journey to America with his family Ⓒ be sure to practice on your family first.
Ⓓ being a talented magician and escape artist Ⓓ let the audience participate in the show.
Ⓔ being a religious leader of the Jewish people Ⓔ have a special name like “Prince of the Air.”
6. Harry Houdini became so good at tricks because he 8. From this passage you can assume that Harry
Ⓐ read a lot of books Houdini was
Ⓑ took many lessons Ⓐ shy
Ⓒ was part of a circus Ⓑ silly
Ⓓ had magical powers Ⓒ stubborn
Ⓔ practiced a great deal Ⓓ thoughtful
Ⓔ determined

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 28

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

Imagine standing alone in the forests of North America while

snow quietly falls around you. All you hear is the sound of the
trees groaning under the weight of the snow and the wind. All of a
sudden, you hear the creepy howling of a wolf. Then, you remember
Line 5 every story you have ever heard about scary wolves and creatures of
the night.
What are wolves really like? Are they really savage beasts who
attack people and other animals? Or are they just misunderstood?
Most people are afraid of wolves because they do not really know
10 about them and do not understand their behavior. In fact, the wolf
is sole ancestor of the dog, and people love dogs. They live in packs
and mate for life. Humans, in spite of our fear of the “big, bad wolf ”
are not a wolf ’s natural prey. When people learn about wolves, they
know the difference between real wolves and the wolves of fairy
tales.

9. According to the passage, people don’t like wolves 11. In the line, “All of the sudden, you hear the creepy
because howling of a wolf,” what does “creepy” mostly likely
Ⓐ they don’t know much about them mean?
Ⓑ wolves are savage animals Ⓐ sad
Ⓒ they don’t make good pets Ⓑ angry
Ⓓ wolves are in scary stories Ⓒ happy
Ⓔ wolves eat livestock Ⓓ frightening
Ⓔ embarrassed
10. The author of the passage would most likely agree
with which statement? 12. In the passage, where are you to imagine you might
Ⓐ Wolves make good pets. hear a wolf ?
Ⓑ Wolves are scary animals. Ⓐ forests
Ⓒ Everybody is afraid of wolves. Ⓑ prairies
Ⓓ Wolves exist only in fairy tales. Ⓒ Everglades
Ⓔ People should learn more about wolves. Ⓓ frozen tundra
Ⓔ great swamps

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 29

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

Section 4
Writing Sample

Look at the picture and tell a story about what happened. Make sure your story includes a beginning,
a middle, and an end.

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 30

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 31

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

All Done!

©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 32

 The Official Study Guide for the Elementary Level SSAT Grade 4

Fourth Grade Practice Questions:

Answer Key
Section Item Number Answer
Section 1: Quantitative 1. E
2. D
3. D
4. A
5. D
6. C
7. C
8. D
9. B
10. D
11. B
12. D
13. B
14. E
15. D

Section 2: Verbal 1. B
2. E
3. C
4. D
5. D
6. E
7. B
8. D
9. D
10. C
11. D
12. C
13. B
14. D

Section 3: Reading 1. E
2. D
3. D
4. B
5. D
6. E
7. B
8. E
9. A
10. E
11. D
12. A
©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 33
Test Day Checklist
✓Arrive at the test site no later than 30 minutes before the exam
to allow time for check-in.

✓Have your admission ticket in hand to allow for fast entry to the test site.
✓Review the Test Irregularity Policies (included with your admission ticket) to inform yourself
of possible unusual circumstances and outcomes.

✓Follow the proctor’s instructions on where to go and sit.

✓Listen carefully to the proctor’s instructions as the exam begins and throughout the test.
✓Remember all the useful tips you learned in this guide.
Relax and good luck!

What to Bring
• SSAT admission ticket (all pages)
• Several (at least 3) sharpened #2 pencils with erasers
• A snack and beverage for the break (in a clear bag or container)
• Students testing outside the U.S. and Canada must bring a valid passport

What NOT to Bring

Clothing All Electronics Personal Items Other Items
• Coats • Calculators • Backpacks • Books
• Hats • Cell Phones* • Bags • Erasers
Hooded sweatshirts may be • Fitness Tracker • Large Jewelry • Mechanical Pencils
worn; however, the hood
must remain down at all Wristbands • Purses • Notes or Paper
times.
• Media Players • Pens
• All Watches • Rulers
• Computers,
Tablets, etc.

*Note:
It's best to leave your cell phone at home, but if you need to bring it, you must turn it off and
give it to the proctor before testing begins. It will be returned to you following testing.
©2018 by The Enrollment Management Association. All rights reserved. 34
Notes:

Questions?
Email: info@[Link] • Use the [Link] LiveChat feature
Phone: 609-683-4440
(Monday—Friday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST)

We’re here to help!

862 Route 518, Skillman, NJ 08558 • 609-683-4440

[Link] • info@[Link]