FREE
SSAT Upper Level Reading Practice Tests

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Free SSAT Upper Level Reading Diagnostic Tests

Take the Varsity Learning Tools free diagnostic test for SSAT Upper Level Reading to determine which academic concepts you understand and which ones require your ongoing attention. Each SSAT Upper Level Reading problem is tagged down to the core, underlying concept that is being tested. The SSAT Upper Level Reading diagnostic test results highlight how you performed on each area of the test. You can then utilize the results to create a personalized study plan that is based on your particular area of need.

SSAT Upper Level Reading Diagnostic Test 1

Questions: 40
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 6 hrs 32 mins

SSAT Upper Level Reading Diagnostic Test 2

Questions: 40
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 3 hrs 1 mins

SSAT Upper Level Reading Diagnostic Test 3

Questions: 40
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 4 hrs 51 mins

SSAT Upper Level Reading Diagnostic Test 4

Questions: 40
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 3 hrs 34 mins

SSAT Upper Level Reading Diagnostic Test 5

Questions: 40
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 hrs 8 mins

SSAT Upper Level Reading Diagnostic Test 6

Questions: 40
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 hrs 49 mins

If English isn’t your best subject, you may find yourself apprehensive about taking the Upper Level SSAT because it includes both a Verbal section and a Reading section. You may see these sections as one giant English test; however, that is not the case: the Upper Level SSAT’s Verbal section is concerned strictly with vocabulary and the relationships between words, and its Reading section is concerned with reading comprehension, meaning your ability to understand and remember the things you read. With a bit of practice and relevant information about the test’s structure, you can prepare yourself for the Upper Level SSAT’s Reading section in no time and go from feeling apprehensive to feeling confident and ready for even the most difficult passages it may present.

The Upper Level SSAT’s Reading section is the second section presented on every Upper Level SSAT, and the third section if you count the Writing Sample as the first section. The section presents a variety of short passages of about 250 to 350 words each; that’s about how many words fit on one page of a standard-sized paperback book. SSAT Upper Level Reading passages are drawn from one of four subjects: literary fiction, humanities, social sciences, and sciences. The section asks forty questions about the passages it presents and gives you forty minutes to answer them. None of the questions will require any outside knowledge from you, or ask you about grammar or spelling. Your vocabulary may be tested, but questions will focus on defining the meaning of the words “in context,” or in the specific sentences in which they are used in a passage.

As you may have guessed, timing is of the essence when taking the SSAT’s Upper Level Reading section. While it may look like you have a full minute to answer each question, that doesn’t leave you any time during which to read the passages, so you have less than a minute per question depending on how fast you read. While it may seem like a good idea to try to read as quickly as possible, you don’t want to read so quickly that you miss or misinterpret crucial information and get questions wrong as a result. You should practice reading SSAT Upper Level Reading passages to find the pace that works best for you.

You can practice reading SSAT Upper Level Reading passages and answering SSAT Upper Level Reading questions by taking Varsity Tutors’ free SSAT Upper Level Reading Practice Tests. Each SSAT Upper Level Reading Practice Test consists of between ten and twelve SSAT Upper Level questions. If you need to focus on a particular type of question or passage, you can do so easily. Also, after completing each SSAT Upper Level Reading Practice Test, you can see detailed statistics about how long you take to read each passage and answer each question, allowing you to develop your own best personal pace. Also, each question includes a detailed explanation about how to arrive at the correct answer, so you can figure out where you erred in your analysis for any questions that you missed.

It’s a smart idea to complete a Full-Length Upper Level SSAT Reading Practice Test to help you get a better picture of your overall comprehension. Since these tests simulate the actual SSAT Reading section, they can assist you as you dial in your test-taking pace and your understanding of principal concepts. The results pages for the full-length tests offer all of the same review materials provided by the concept-specific practice tests, including detailed explanations and supplementary review materials for vital topics. These complete practice tests can help you build your own custom SSAT study plan by informing you of the topics you need to focus on. Once you’ve had the opportunity to brush up on your skills, you can track your progress by taking another Full-Length Upper Level SSAT Reading Practice Test.

By making use of Varsity Tutors’ free Upper Level SSAT Practice Tests and other resources, you can prepare yourself for the Upper Level SSAT’s Reading section efficiently and comprehensively and feel totally ready for the section on test day.

 

Free SSAT Upper Level Reading Practice Tests

Our completely free SSAT Upper Level Reading practice tests are the perfect way to brush up your skills. Take one of our many SSAT Upper Level Reading practice tests for a run-through of commonly asked questions. You will receive incredibly detailed scoring results at the end of your SSAT Upper Level Reading practice test to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. Pick one of our SSAT Upper Level Reading practice tests now and begin!

Practice Tests by Concept

Humanities practice test

Questions: 12
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 6 hrs 50 mins

Argumentative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 11
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 hrs 17 mins

Authorial attitude, tone, and purpose in argumentative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 13
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 4 hrs 43 mins

Determining authorial attitude in argumentative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 6
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 5 hrs 46 mins

Determining authorial purpose in argumentative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 3
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 7 mins

Determining authorial tone in argumentative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 4
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 4 mins

Context-dependent meanings of words and phrases in argumentative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 9
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 8 hrs 30 mins

Finding context-dependent meanings of phrases in argumentative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 10
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 10 mins

Finding context-dependent meanings of words in argumentative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 9
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 17 mins

Inferences and predictions in argumentative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 3
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 4 mins

Making inferences in argumentative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 3
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 3 mins

Making predictions based on argumentative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 mins 44 secs

Main idea, details, opinions, and arguments in argumentative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 11
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 4 hrs 12 mins

Locating details in argumentative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 6
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 18 hrs 8 mins

Recognizing the main idea in argumentative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 6
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 8 mins

Understanding and evaluating opinions and arguments in argumentative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 11
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 10 mins

Narrative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 25
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 hrs 33 mins

Authorial attitude, tone, and purpose in narrative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 4
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 7 mins

Determining authorial attitude in narrative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 1
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 mins 8 secs

Determining authorial purpose in narrative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 3
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 mins 30 secs

Determining authorial tone in narrative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 mins 1 secs

Context-dependent meanings of words and phrases in narrative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 15
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 13 mins

Finding context-dependent meanings of phrases in narrative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 4
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 mins 53 secs

Finding context-dependent meanings of words in narrative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 11
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 3 mins

Inferences and predictions in narrative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 11 mins

Making inferences in narrative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 mins 41 secs

Main idea, details, opinions, and arguments in narrative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 4
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 4 mins

Locating details in narrative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 mins 8 secs

Recognizing the main idea in narrative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 13 mins

Understanding and evaluating opinions and arguments in narrative humanities passages practice test

Questions: 1
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 51 secs

Literary fiction practice test

Questions: 36
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 hrs 8 mins

Authorial attitude, tone, and purpose in literary fiction passages practice test

Questions: 26
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 17 mins

Determining authorial attitude in literary fiction passages practice test

Questions: 9
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 hrs 16 mins

Determining authorial purpose in literary fiction passages practice test

Questions: 10
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 15 mins

Determining authorial tone in literary fiction passages practice test

Questions: 7
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 hrs 57 mins

Context-dependent meanings of words and phrases in literary fiction passages practice test

Questions: 31
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 d 9 hrs

Finding context-dependent meanings of phrases in literary fiction passages practice test

Questions: 4
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 7 hrs 0 mins

Finding context-dependent meanings of words in literary fiction passages practice test

Questions: 31
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 7 mins

Inferences and predictions in literary fiction passages practice test

Questions: 27
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 39 mins

Making inferences in literary fiction passages practice test

Questions: 24
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 9 mins

Making predictions based on literary fiction passages practice test

Questions: 3
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 mins 34 secs

Main idea, details, opinions, and arguments in literary fiction passages practice test

Questions: 40
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 3 hrs 6 mins

Locating details in literary fiction passages practice test

Questions: 35
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 48 mins

Recognizing the main idea in literary fiction passages practice test

Questions: 10
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 14 mins

Understanding and evaluating opinions and arguments in literary fiction passages practice test

Questions: 3
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 3 mins

Poetry practice test

Questions: 12
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 17 mins

Authorial attitude, tone, and purpose in poetry passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 mins 10 secs

Determining authorial purpose in poetry passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 4 mins

Determining authorial tone in poetry passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 44 secs

Context-dependent meanings of words and phrases in poetry passages practice test

Questions: 5
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 22 mins

Finding context-dependent meanings of phrases in poetry passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 3 mins

Finding context-dependent meanings of words in poetry passages practice test

Questions: 3
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 4 mins

Inferences and predictions in poetry passages practice test

Questions: 3
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 3 mins

Making inferences in poetry passages practice test

Questions: 3
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 3 mins

Main idea, details, opinions, and arguments in poetry passages practice test

Questions: 4
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 4 mins

Locating details in poetry passages practice test

Questions: 3
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 33 secs

Recognizing the main idea in poetry passages practice test

Questions: 1
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 mins 9 secs

Understanding and evaluating opinions and arguments in poetry passages practice test

Questions: 1
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 mins 10 secs

Science practice test

Questions: 12
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 16 mins

Argumentative science passages practice test

Questions: 12
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 7 mins

Authorial attitude, tone, and purpose in argumentative science passages practice test

Questions: 4
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 mins 27 secs

Determining authorial attitude in argumentative science passages practice test

Questions: 1
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 9 secs

Determining authorial purpose in argumentative science passages practice test

Questions: 1
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 19 secs

Determining authorial tone in argumentative science passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 mins 5 secs

Context-dependent meanings of words and phrases in argumentative science passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 26 secs

Finding context-dependent meanings of phrases in argumentative science passages practice test

Questions: 1
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 34 secs

Finding context-dependent meanings of words in argumentative science passages practice test

Questions: 1
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 27 secs

Inferences and predictions in argumentative science passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 35 secs

Making inferences in argumentative science passages practice test

Questions: 1
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 8 secs

Making predictions based on argumentative science passages practice test

Questions: 1
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 24 secs

Main idea, details, opinions, and arguments in argumentative science passages practice test

Questions: 4
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 mins 32 secs

Locating details in argumentative science passages practice test

Questions: 3
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 14 secs

Understanding and evaluating opinions and arguments in argumentative science passages practice test

Questions: 1
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 27 secs

Narrative science passages practice test

Questions: 40
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 hrs 31 mins

Authorial attitude, tone, and purpose in narrative science passages practice test

Questions: 11
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 hrs 11 mins

Determining authorial attitude in narrative science passages practice test

Questions: 4
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 11 secs

Determining authorial purpose in narrative science passages practice test

Questions: 4
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 16 mins

Determining authorial tone in narrative science passages practice test

Questions: 3
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 12 secs

Context-dependent meanings of words and phrases in narrative science passages practice test

Questions: 9
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 3 mins

Finding context-dependent meanings of phrases in narrative science passages practice test

Questions: 3
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 mins 5 secs

Finding context-dependent meanings of words in narrative science passages practice test

Questions: 9
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 mins 32 secs

Inferences and predictions in narrative science passages practice test

Questions: 6
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 mins 12 secs

Making inferences in narrative science passages practice test

Questions: 6
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 mins 23 secs

Making predictions based on narrative science passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 3 mins

Main idea, details, opinions, and arguments in narrative science passages practice test

Questions: 22
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 32 mins

Locating details in narrative science passages practice test

Questions: 14
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 28 mins

Recognizing the main idea in narrative science passages practice test

Questions: 3
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 mins 9 secs

Understanding and evaluating opinions and arguments in narrative science passages practice test

Questions: 5
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 mins 41 secs

Social studies practice test

Questions: 12
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 14 mins

Argumentative social science passages practice test

Questions: 17
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 20 mins

Authorial attitude, tone, and purpose in argumentative social science passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 3 mins

Determining authorial attitude in argumentative social science passages practice test

Questions: 1
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 mins 0 secs

Determining authorial purpose in argumentative social science passages practice test

Questions: 3
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 mins 50 secs

Determining authorial tone in argumentative social science passages practice test

Questions: 1
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 mins 28 secs

Context-dependent meanings of words and phrases in argumentative social science passages practice test

Questions: 6
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 5 mins

Finding context-dependent meanings of phrases in argumentative social science passages practice test

Questions: 4
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 54 secs

Finding context-dependent meanings of words in argumentative social science passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 mins 26 secs

Inferences and predictions in argumentative social science passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 mins 23 secs

Making inferences in argumentative social science passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 mins 0 secs

Main idea, details, opinions, and arguments in argumentative social science passages practice test

Questions: 8
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 1 d 9 hrs

Locating details in argumentative social science passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 4 mins

Recognizing the main idea in argumentative social science passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 59 secs

Understanding and evaluating opinions and arguments in argumentative social science passages practice test

Questions: 4
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 3 mins

Narrative social science passages practice test

Questions: 24
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 22 mins

Authorial attitude, tone, and purpose in narrative social science passages practice test

Questions: 3
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 6 mins

Determining authorial attitude in narrative social science passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 8 mins

Determining authorial purpose in narrative social science passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 2 mins 54 secs

Determining authorial tone in narrative social science passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 11 mins

Context-dependent meanings of words and phrases in narrative social science passages practice test

Questions: 5
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 8 mins

Finding context-dependent meanings of words in narrative social science passages practice test

Questions: 5
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 3 mins

Inferences and predictions in narrative social science passages practice test

Questions: 5
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 5 mins

Making inferences in narrative social science passages practice test

Questions: 5
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 3 mins

Main idea, details, opinions, and arguments in narrative social science passages practice test

Questions: 11
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 14 mins

Locating details in narrative social science passages practice test

Questions: 7
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 7 mins

Recognizing the main idea in narrative social science passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 59 mins

Understanding and evaluating opinions and arguments in narrative social science passages practice test

Questions: 2
Test Difficulty:
Average Time Spent: 5 mins
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