SSAT Upper Level Verbal

A comprehensive guide to mastering the verbal section of the SSAT Upper Level, focusing on vocabulary, analogies, and reading comprehension skills.

Advanced Topics

Complex Analogy Patterns

Mastering Tricky Analogy Types

Some analogy questions go beyond simple relationships. You might see:

  • Degree: Hot is to warm as freezing is to cold.
  • Sequence: Seed is to plant as egg is to chicken.
  • Characteristic: Cactus is to spiny as rose is to thorny.

Solving Complex Analogies

  1. Describe the relationship in your own words.
  2. Eliminate answer pairs that don’t fit.
  3. Double-check your logic.

Real-World Connection

Recognizing subtle patterns helps with logic puzzles and advanced subjects.

Examples

  • Whisper : Speak :: Stroll : Run (degree relationship)

  • Puppy : Dog :: Kitten : Cat (sequence/age relationship)

In a Nutshell

Advanced analogies require sharp reasoning and careful comparison.

Key Terms

Degree Relationship
A relationship showing different levels or intensity between pairs.
Sequence
A relationship showing order or stages.