Our main lesson plans are written and taught by Lauren. Those strategies are shared and customized during each student’s SSAT tutoring session. However, we often recommend supplemental books for students who want to study independently, and we use these for extra examples. Here is that list of books and how we recommend using them.
Kaplan vs. Princeton
SSAT Montreal uses both of these books a lot, but they are overwhelming to navigate. They also contain information for both the SSAT and the ISEE (another standardized test), so some of the book will not be relevant to students who are only taking the SSAT. The books pair well with a tutor who is familiarized with their structure, or with a student who is motivated to dig through it.
Princeton has better lessons than Kaplan. Get it on Amazon, or at your local bookstore.
Kaplan is better organized than Princeton, and has better vocabulary and math resource/formula sheets. Get it on Amazon, or at your local bookstore.
Official Guide
The SSATB releases an official guide each school year. This is the only prep book endorsed by the SSAT.
Vocabulary Building
This is the book we use for our vocabulary building courses. We couple this resource with memorization tactics and strategies for learning words you’ve never seen before.
Ivy Global
As a secondary source of practice, Ivy Global is an independent company offering the most extensive SSAT guides on the market. These are also the books we incorporate into our own private courses. Use the promo code “LAURENPREP” for 10% off any order.
Online Practice
This year, the SSATB released free official practice materials online. They also sell a more extensive online package, which includes an e-version of the official guide above. These materials are great for independent learners.
The Tutorverse
This has a ton of practice questions, but no lesson plans or strategies. There are answers at the back, but Tutorverse also posts answer explanations online to each question, making this a fantastic resource for students to self-correct their assigned homework.
Talk to an SSAT Tutor
Get in touch with your preferred tutor by filling out the booking form below. We can also be reached by call or text message at 438 800 7069.
The Difference Between the SSAT, SAT and PSAT
The SSAT — The Prep School Entrance Exam The SSAT is an admissions test for high school and middle school students. Prep schools use the SSAT as part of their admissions process. Students who take the SSAT can be any grade from grades 3 to 11, as long as they are applying to a high school or middle […]
How to Register for the SSAT and Avoid Extra Fees
Hi! I realize that signing up for the SSAT can be logistically confusing. A lot of optional payments are pre-selected for you, so it’s important to be aware of what you’re accepting, and actively uncheck what you don’t want to pay for. This guide will take you through every step of the process. If you’d […]
Submitting the Right Graded Essay for Prep Schools
Application portals like Gateway to Prep School and the SAO usually require students to submit a graded essay. The portals do not give students much guidance on what type of essay to submit. Here are some guidelines to follow. This advice is not official — it is based off the limited instructions from the SAO, […]
How to Improve Your SSAT Scores Without Retesting
If you are out of time or cannot re-take the SSAT, here are some ways to boost your SSAT score without retesting: Ultimately, the most straightforward way to improve your SSAT is to practice consistently or get tutored. There are also other meaningful ways to improve your application outside of the SSAT below. If you […]
How to Create a Strong Prep School Application Without the SSAT
The SSAT improves your application. If you choose to not submit your scores, you are putting yourself at a disadvantage compared to students who did. To combat this, applicants who are missing the SSAT should find other ways to make their application stand out. This can be particularly challenging for athletes whose application profiles lack […]
What to Bring on SSAT Test Day
Here is a list of what to bring to in person tests, and online tests taking at home. This list is for people who are not approved for special accommodations. If you feel like you need access to some of the prohibited items due to a disability, I would encourage you to apply for accommodations. […]