Finding the right New York City SSAT prep solution for your child couldn't be easier with the help of the experts at Varsity Tutors. Whether your child will be facing the Elementary Level, Middle Level, or Upper Level SSAT, we know you want to help your child do their best. That's why it's so important to find the right professional academic resources to support your child as they work towards their SSAT scoring goals.
The SSAT is a highly regarded standardize examination used by admissions officials for private and independent schools as part of their admission process. Continue reading to learn more about what the various level of the SSAT cover and how Varsity Tutors can help you find the right prep solution for your child's academic needs.
What can New York City SSAT prep cover?
Before discussing what a prep solution can cover it's important to talk about the format of the test itself. The SSAT has three separate levels. The Elementary Level SSAT is designed for students who will be applying to enter fourth or fifth grade. The Middle Level SSAT is for students who will be applying to enter a middle school grade. The Upper Level SSAT is designed for students who want to gain entrance to a private or independent high school.
All three levels of the SSAT include the same types of sections. The section titles of the SSAT are Quantitative, Reading, Verbal, Experimental, and Writing Sample. The Upper Level and Middle Level SSAT have two Quantitative portions. The Lower Level SSAT has only one. For all levels, the writing sample and the experimental section are not graded. The Upper Level and Middle Level SSAT testers will have just under three hours to complete all parts of their test. The lower level SSAT tester will have just under two hours to complete all items on their exam.
The Quantitative section of the SSAT evaluates your child's grade level appropriate math skills. During no portion of any level of the SSAT are calculators permitted. Some of the math skills your child may need to review depending on their grade level for this section included basic arithmetic such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, measurement, as well as more advanced skills such as probability, word problems, coordinate geometry, equations, identifying area and perimeter, and other concepts associated with algebra and geometry.
The Verbal and Reading sections of all levels of the SSAT evaluate your child's reading comprehension and English language skills. Some of the specific concepts that can be covered during these portions of the exam include determining the author's purpose, understanding and evaluating opinions and arguments, identifying main idea, finding details, making inferences, making predictions, grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, punctuation, spelling, and other grade level appropriate skills related to standard English language conventions.
The Writing Sample portion of all levels of the SSAT are related to the previously described English sections. While the writing sample your child produces will not be graded, it will be sent to any school to which they apply. Since admissions officials will see it, it makes sense to have your child review for this section of the test as well. Some of the skills that are useful when completing a writing sample include effective organization of a topic, basic writing skills, persuasive writing tactics, and providing supporting statements with examples.
All New York City SSAT prep resources can help your child prepare for any of the subject area content covered on the test.
How can a New York City SSAT prep class help my child prepare for their upcoming exam?
When you enroll your child in a prep course, they will have access to the same type of structured learning environment available in a typical classroom. One of the most significant differences is that the course is entirely online. However, this is an advantage for busy families because it means there is no need to arrange for transportation to and from class.
You have the option of enrolling your child in two week or four-week classes. Two week classes are great for students who do better during short bursts of high-intensity academic endeavors. Four-week classes are good for students who perform better when they are given more time to acclimate to the environment and information being presented. All of our classes are modular in design, so we can have new sections beginning each week, which makes it easy for you and your child to get started.
During a classroom session, the teacher will provide direct instruction to deliver the lesson and then may facilitate group conversations or assign group projects to help the students more fully understand the material.
Prep classes are perfect for students who work well in an interactive and engaging environment. Especially if they are highly motivated to do their best when surrounded by peers.
How is working with a New York City SSAT tutor different from taking a course?
One of the biggest differences between private tutoring sessions and a prep course is the amount of individualized instruction available. Classroom teachers are unable to spend a significant amount of time with each student. Tutors, on the other hand, only have one student at a time and can devote all of their attention to your child. This allows private instructors to get to know your child and customize their lessons based on your child's learning style, academic needs, and SSAT goals.
Another benefit of working with a private instructor is greater scheduling freedom. You can schedule private sessions throughout the week and on weekends during the day or evening hours.
Private instruction is an excellent option for students who thrive with one-on-one instruction.
How can I get my child started with the right New York City SSAT prep solution?
Varsity Tutors can help you determine which New York City SSAT preparation strategy is best for your child. Whether you decide to have your child enroll in a New York City SSAT prep course or you want help connecting with a skilled private instructor, we can help you get started. Contact Varsity Tutors today to begin immediately.

Margarita: New York SSAT test prep instructor
...since I was in 7th grade, and my favorite subject to tutor is math. My family is originally from Russia, and I grew up with a very strong and traditional math background. I always find teaching math to students to be gratifying, and I hope to share some of my love for math with my students. I also enjoy tutoring test prep, especially since I know how stressful the process of applying to colleges (and...
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +55 subjects

Kelsey: New York SSAT test prep instructor
...in Analytics at Rutgers University. As a lifelong student, she loves tutoring to help others feel passionate about their own educational paths. Kelsey still attributes her academic successes to the study tactics she developed during her formative elementary and high school years, and she believes that all students (regardless of their field of focus) need to build a solid foundation in writing, reading comprehension, grammatical and syntactical knowledge, and time management techniques. Kelsey has experience...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- HSPT
- ACT
- PSAT
- +79 subjects

Jessica: New York SSAT test prep instructor
...a preliminary peer-tutor training course prior to beginning tutoring, in order to certify that I had the appropriate background to provide professional feedback to fellow students on their literary works and projects. After graduation, I worked for a full-service learning center where I created and implemented high school lesson plans for home-schooled students, provided academic support for students ranging in ages from 8 to 20 years old, and taught group and individual standardized testing preparation...
Education & Certification
- University of Pennsylvania - Bachelors, History
- Nova Southeastern University - PHD, Medicine
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ACT
- Advanced Placement
- PSAT
- +81 subjects

Geoffrey: New York SSAT test prep instructor
...for IB study should they choose to pursue that path.Those years included creative writing of poetry and short fiction as well as study of the personal essay modelled on writings of authors such as Loren Eisley, Joan Didion, James Baldwin, and Alice Walker. There is more to writing than crafting a persuasive critical paper about a work of fiction.It was also the responsibility of the English Department to review college essays for students before their...
Education & Certification
- Bowdoin College - Bachelor in Arts, English
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- PSAT
- LSAT 5-Week Prep Class
- ACT
- +58 subjects

Sean: New York SSAT test prep instructor
...assignments and preparation, but no small part owes to the way my mind learns. My mind is suited to books and the classroom, and this is a convenience for which I am very fortunate. I recognize, however, that every mind learns in its own way---a reality that institutional education cannot accommodate. I make it my priority to determine what methods of demonstration and motivation are best suited to every student I work with. I look...
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Current Undergrad, Classical Stuides
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +53 subjects

Reshad: New York SSAT test prep instructor
...at Queens College majoring in Urban Studies. I am writing a thesis on South Asians living in New York City. I have spent the last two semesters mentoring kids from a local shelter every Saturday during the school year. My specialties are SAT prep, SHSAT Prep, English and Social Studies. As a tutor, I am persistent and creative in my teaching techniques. I will explore every option to teach students the material.
Education & Certification
- CUNY Queens College - Current Undergrad, Urban Studies
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- TACHS
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +34 subjects

Christine: New York SSAT test prep instructor
Hi! I'm a freshman at Princeton University from Greenwich, CT. I'm currently pursuing a degree in Operations Research and Financial Engineering, with a certificate in Computer Science. I'm also fluent in Chinese, and currently taking a heritage speaker's Chinese class here at Princeton. I'm more than happy to help you with any math/science/Chinese questions!
Education & Certification
- Princeton University - Engineer, Operations Research
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- PSAT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +90 subjects

Chloe: New York SSAT test prep instructor
...my students often see great improvements in their abilities during the course of our sessions. Many of their improvements were 50 points over the improvements of other tutored students in the region. During my time at Williams College, I studied Arabic, International Relations, and Film. I also traveled to Europe and the Middle East as part of my studies. In addition, I am a freelance writer, and my work has appeared in the Huffington Post,...
Education & Certification
- Williams College - Bachelor in Arts, Arabic Studies, Religion
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- TACHS
- SAT
- HSPT
- +44 subjects

Margot: New York SSAT test prep instructor
...teaching assistant and stage manager in the Theater Department, and volunteered as an arts teacher in under-served local public elementary schools. Dartmouth expanded my passion for learning and taught me the value and impact of teachers who really support their students and value their student-teacher relationships. That's why, in my own work with students, I show them that I am truly invested in them not just as a student, but as a person--I want the...
Education & Certification
- Dartmouth College - Bachelors, Double Major in Music and Theater
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- TACHS
- SAT
- +57 subjects

Clare: New York SSAT test prep instructor
...of each subject that students can personally connect to. Most importantly, if I can impart one thing to my students, it is self-confidence. Performing poorly in one subject can have a deleterious affect on other aspects of academic life and I firmly believe that confidence is half the battle. I love seeing a student's face when they realize they understand a subject and that they can truly succeed. Outside of tutoring, I am a live...
Education & Certification
- University of Pennsylvania - Bachelors, History
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- TOEFL
- ACT
- SAT
- +31 subjects

Thomas: New York SSAT test prep instructor
...education. But parents and students in both countries share similar anxieties about getting a high-value education. I was happy to find that many of the student engagement strategies I've acquired in the U.S. were just as effective at creating a positive learning environment. Adapting to these new cultural standards has been a gratifying challenge, and I have a new appreciation for the unique resources and challenges that American students deal with every day.... Students grow most when they face clear, achievable objectives; when the whole process of learning is demystified in a comfortable, focused environment. I aim to help the students build solid skills from the ground up. Everything from emotional well-being to time management to effective memorization technique plays an important role in student growth. As an artist and educator, I believe the path to academic success is an intimately creative one, in which each student must find the approach that suits their unique needs.
Education & Certification
- Duke University - Bachelors, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- HSPT
- SHSAT
- +53 subjects

Diptesh: New York SSAT test prep instructor
...York University studying Global Public Health with a concentration in Chemistry. I have been passionate about education since high school and have been teaching, tutoring, and mentoring students from grades 6-12 and college in a variety of subjects since! I specialize in mathematics and science tutoring as well as standardized exam preparation. In the past, I have helped students achieve significant improvements and success on the SAT, SHSAT, Regents and other exams! I truly believe...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor of Science, Global Public Health & Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- REGENTS
- ISEE
- +88 subjects

Sonali: New York SSAT test prep instructor
...achieve their goals. For me, tutoring is about working with a student until they are able to achieve their goal, and even beyond that so that they have the confidence to continue pursuing their dreams. I'm very patient, calm, and thorough when covering a subject, and I truly enjoy watching my students transform into confident, knowledgeable people ready to tackle anything before them. Besides tutoring, I enjoy traveling, reading, and cooking. I'm also part of...
Education & Certification
- CUNY Brooklyn College - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- ISEE
- ACT
- +59 subjects

Sam: New York SSAT test prep instructor
I work and live in New York City. I grew up in Knoxville, TN and went to the University of Pittsburgh, where I studied economics and political science. I'm light-hearted but take academics very seriously. In all of my lessons I combine my curiosity about the world with the idea that learning can be fun.
Education & Certification
- University of Pittsburgh - Bachelors, Political Science and Economics
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT
- PSAT
- ACT
- +64 subjects

Foster: New York SSAT test prep instructor
...new ways to approach problems, and I value each student for the unique things that only they can bring to the table.* *I studied for three years at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, earning my B.A. in Theatre. I moved to New York City right after graduation, and right at the same time as the COVID pandemic began. What can I say? I'm a lucky guy! To cope with the postponement of my theatre graduate program...
Education & Certification
- Vanderbilt University - Bachelor in Arts, Theater Arts
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- HSPT
- SHSAT
- ISEE
- +31 subjects

Damian: New York SSAT test prep instructor
If you choose me to be your tutor then you will definitely ace your test. I'm a great math tutor because I understand the material thoroughly, am patient, and know how to explain things. I attended Stuyvesant High School and the University of Chicago; I am currently studying Data Science with Johns Hopkins.... If you don't get it then I'm explaining it wrong.... Before the first session, I'd have them do a bunch of practice problems on the subject they want to be tutored in, and I'd look over their answers to see what they need help with. I'd also ask them which problems they guessed on or weren't totally sure of. We could start from there.
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Current Undergrad, None
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SHSAT
- SAT
- ACT
- +63 subjects

Dylan: New York SSAT test prep instructor
...long run. If you give a students a robust base of knowledge and the tools to build off of it, you empower them to learn new topics by themselves, tackle test questions that they haven't seen before, and leave them with broadly applicable skills that will help them long after their class is finished. I am involved in multiple finance clubs at Cornell and I usually spend my free time there practicing my moves with...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Current Undergrad Student, Economics
- Cornell University - Current Undergrad Student, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- Advanced Placement
- HSPT
- +78 subjects

Angela: New York SSAT test prep instructor
I believe that everyone can achieve academic successes under proper guidance. I'd like to be the light tower for my students on the endless sea of study. I want to help them to find their own ways to the right place. I will help my students to find their own way to solve problems on certain subject and master techniques of studying certain subjects. ... I believe that everyone can be good at school if she/he gets the right teacher.
Education & Certification
- Wesleyan College - Bachelors, Theatre and Communication
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- Mandarin Chinese
- +16 subjects

Arun: New York SSAT test prep instructor
...are struggling with. This kind of understanding will help not only with immediate academic gains, but with future success as well. In school environments, students often do not receive individualized attention that seeks out the gaps in their understanding. By spending time with my student, I can assess those gaps and fill them, helping my students improve. All the knowledge in the world will amount to naught if you don't have the confidence to apply...
Education & Certification
- George Washington University - Bachelors, Physics
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- TACHS
- SHSAT
- HSPT
- +32 subjects

Ming: New York SSAT test prep instructor
I graduated from Columbia University in 2016 with a degree in applied mathematics. I work in finance now but have always had a passion for tutoring peers. I've been tutoring for standardized tests such as the SATs, AP subject tests, and ACTs since high school.
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Bachelors, Applied Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ISEE
- SAT
- HSPT
- +54 subjects