If you or your student is interested in them attending a private independent school, it may be beneficial to sign your student up for a Tampa SSAT class provided by Varsity Tutors.
The SSAT is used by many private and independent schools as a part of their admissions process. The exam assesses students on their reading, verbal, and math skills, all of which are considered important predictors of success in a private or independent school. The purpose of the SSAT is to try to ensure the admissions process into these schools is as equitable as possible.
The SSAT is broken down into three levels, including an Elementary Level test, a Middle Level test, and an Upper Level test. The Elementary Level test is given to students who are in either 3rd or 4th grade who would like to attend a private or independent elementary school. The Middle Level test is designed for students in 5th, 6th, or 7th grades who are interested in attending middle school at a private or independent institution. Finally, the Upper Level test is geared towards students in 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grades who want to attend high school at an independent or private institution.
The three levels of the test are similar in the sense that none of the tests allow students to use calculators on the Quantitative section. Additionally, each level of the test involves a Writing Sample, which is not graded. While this section doesn't affect the overall score, it is still sent to all of the schools your student applies to so that admissions officials can read it.
The main differences between the tests include the complexity of the topics involved, the number of questions, and the way the tests are scored. On the Elementary Level test, it is advisable for students to guess on questions they're not sure of because they won't be penalized for guessing incorrectly. This is not the best strategy for the Upper and Middle Level tests because your student would be penalized for answering a question incorrectly. They will lose one-quarter of a point for every question they answer incorrectly, while they will not be penalized for leaving a question blank.
What can a Tampa SSAT class help my student review?
All three levels of the SSAT have four sections, including a Writing Sample section, a Quantitative section, a Reading section, and a Verbal section. The Upper and Middle levels both have 167 questions, while the Elementary level only has 89. There are also differences in the topics covered and the complexity of the information involved.
The Writing sample on the Elementary Level test asks students to look at a picture and to write a story about it. This story should include a beginning, middle, and end. This section is designed to measure your student's skills in punctuation, grammar, and organizing a piece of writing.
The Quantitative section on the Elementary Level test contains 30 questions, and your student has 30 minutes to finish it. This section is focused on math-related topics such as measurement, operations, and algebra, among others. In order to have a chance at doing well on this section, your student may want to focus on the concepts of number order, place value, and fractions, to name a few.
The Verbal section of the Elementary level test concerns English and covers the relationship between words and the meaning of words. It may be beneficial for your student to have a firm grasp on science and technology related vocabulary and to be able to understand synonyms and analogies.
Finally, the Reading section contains 28 questions, and your student will have 30 minutes to complete it. This section is focused on reading comprehension and measures how well your student understands how to locate the main idea of a passage and whether they can identify the meaning of words based on context.
The Upper and Middle levels of the test each contain the same number of questions and test students on similar topics. The Quantitative section of the Upper Level test focuses on geometry, algebra, and arithmetic, as does the Middle Level test. But the Middle Level test is more concerned with mean, median, and mode and coordinate geometry while the Upper Level test is focused on word problems and algebraic problems.
The Upper and Middle Levels of the test also have the same number of question on the Reading section, with 40 questions and 40 minutes to complete it. Both levels require students to read through passages, but the Upper Level test is specifically focused on information from social studies and the sciences.
Both the Upper and Middle Levels focus on synonyms and analogies in terms of the Verbal section, while both levels also require students to choose between two prompts and write an essay in the Writing Sample section.
How can a Tampa SSAT course help my student prepare?
There are many ways in which a Tampa SSAT course can help your student prepare. The SSAT course will take place online, which means that you won't have to worry about driving your student to another activity. Your student may already have a busy schedule where you have to drive them to sports or other extracurricular activities. As such, it can be beneficial to have the option for your student to take an SSAT course online from the comfort of your own home.
Their SSAT course will take the form of a regular class. Students will be working with both an instructor and other students. Learning from an SSAT instructor can be helpful in terms of reviewing material that could be on the exam. Whether your student needs more review in English, math, or social sciences, their instructor can help them go over this material.
Working with other students can be useful in terms of holding group discussions and engaging in group activities. Some students don't learn well if they're expected to just sit silently and listen to an instructor. As such, having an opportunity to engage with other students could prove valuable in their preparation process.
How can I find a Tampa SSAT prep course?
Finding a Tampa SSAT prep course involves contacting Varsity Tutors and signing up for a course either over the phone or online. You can sign your student up for either a two-week or four-week course based on their needs.

Anna: Tampa SSAT course instructor
...classroom. I believe in the ability of all students to reach their highest potential. I am skilled at assessing student needs through respectful dialogue enabling me to provide guidance to each student individually. I am a life-long learner who encourages free-thinking and non-traditional methods of learning, based on the needs of each student. I am passionate about learning and encourage all I meet to embrace learning whether in a traditional or non-traditional format.... I believe that every individual student can reach his or her goal. As an educational facilitator, it is my quest to assist students in finding the method that enhances their strengths and provides them the confidence to succeed.
Education & Certification
- University of Nevada-Las Vegas - Bachelors, Anthropology/Gerontology
- University of Phoenix-Phoenix-Hohokam Campus - Masters, Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- Essay Editing
- SSAT- Middle Level
- Other
- +28 subjects

Kayla: Tampa SSAT course instructor
...given me the foundation to know how to work with diverse types of students. I have my certifications in Elementary Education and Exceptional Student Education. I have also obtained my English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement. I have knowledge of several research-based interventions to help students achieve academic success. I understand the importance of tailoring tutoring sessions based on individual student needs to help the students have the "tools" to become successful learners...
Education & Certification
- University of South Florida-Main Campus - Bachelor of Science, Exceptional Student Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- 2nd Grade Math
- Reading
- 3rd Grade Writing
- +34 subjects

Ashley-Rose: Tampa SSAT course instructor
...Assistant for both General and Organic Chemistry for two and a half years. In this position, I taught students lab techniques and supervised the laboratory portion of the courses. I was also president of the Honors Student Union, and helped to implement a volunteer tutoring program that served underprivileged students in the local community. Since graduating from Berry College, I have been active in tutoring peers (both at the undergraduate and graduate level) as well...
Education & Certification
- Berry College - Bachelor of Science, Pre-Med Anthropology, Minors in Biology and Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- ACT Writing
- Elementary Math
- Social Sciences
- +47 subjects

Laura: Tampa SSAT course instructor
...all subject areas, developing children's written expression is a real passion of mine. Since Florida Standards expect students to explain their thinking in both reading and math, it is extremely important to excel in writing. The use of visual aides, manipulatives (tangible objects for students to use while learning), and easy-to-learn test-taking strategies are appropriate and highly effective for my students. I truly believe that making education fun and enjoyable for young students is the...
Education & Certification
- Appalachian State University - Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- High School English
- HSPT
- Spanish 3
- +22 subjects

Kiani: Tampa SSAT course instructor
...middle school for two years. In addition, I have 4 years of tutoring experience in elementary and middle school math and reading. When working with students, I like to incorporate a variety of teaching methods because each student has an individual learning style. I incorporate games and activities as part of the tutoring session. I believe when learning is fun, the student retains more information. Outside of tutoring, I enjoy cooking for my friends. I...
Education & Certification
- The University of Tampa - Bachelors, International Business
- Nova Southeastern University - Masters, Public Adminstration
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- College English
- ISEE- Lower Level
- Reading
- +16 subjects

Ronald: Tampa SSAT course instructor
...Arts in Elementary Education. Since graduation, I have been teaching at the Elementary level, working with pre-school on social skills, and tutoring children in Writing, Reading and Math. While I tutor most subjects, I am most passionate about Writing and Math. I have experience in helping ESOL, ESE, and struggling students get prepare for Standardized Tests. My teaching philosophy is simple, I get students to love learning, so it's FUN and not work. In my...
Education & Certification
- Saint Leo University - Bachelors, Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- SSAT- Elementary Level
- ISEE
- Art
- +13 subjects

Benjamin: Tampa SSAT course instructor
...in Psychology with a minor in Athletic Leadership. Since graduation, I have traveled extensively, teaching elementary through high school students at public and international schools in Southeast Asia; adults and university students looking to strengthen their academic or business English in Ho Chi Minh City (as I am a certified ESL instructor); and one-on-one private clients across a range of age and skill levels throughout Vietnam. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I...
Education & Certification
- Clemson University - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- Clinical Psychiatry
- Microsoft Office
- Computer Science
- +85 subjects

Joan: Tampa SSAT course instructor
...Doctorate in Education, Instructional Technology from Nova Southeastern University. I served 21 years in the US Army Reserves, retiring as a MAJOR in 2010. I have two daughters. The oldest is attending the University of Kansas for Music Therapy. She will graduate in May 2021. My youngest has started her freshman year at University of South Florida, St Petersburg. I am an accomplished violinist and enjoying playing local ensembles. Living in Florida is amazing and...
Education & Certification
- State University of New York at Fredonia - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
- Nova Southeastern University - Doctor of Education, Instructional Technology
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- Spelling, Grammar, and Writing Skills Class
- Middle School
- Study Skills and Organization
- +57 subjects

Felicia: Tampa SSAT course instructor
...and passions can be intertwined with new learning, success is eminent. When success has not occurred, what is left is not called failure, but a learned way of not to do something. As Edison famously stated, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time in my garden, reading some of the books I own but have yet to read, and taking walks with...
Education & Certification
- University of South Florida-Main Campus - Bachelors, Anthropology
- University of Phoenix-Online Campus - Current Grad Student, Elementary Education
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- Elementary Math
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- SAT Math
- +71 subjects

Camicia: Tampa SSAT course instructor
...successful! Throughout my professional career I have had the opportunity to mentor and train others in various capacities...from precepting new nurses to unit... clinical instructor...to Health & Wellness educator in community! I am a graduate of Norfolk State University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Nursing. Currently the subjects of focus I tutor are Test Prep... more specifically for NCLEX preparation for Profession certification. I believe in a collaborative interactive approach to teaching as...
Education & Certification
- Norfolk State University - Bachelor of Science, Nursing (RN)
Subject Expertise
- SSAT
- HSPT
- ISEE- Primary
- Anatomy & Physiology
- +20 subjects