20 authentic exam-style questions across all tested domains — Vocabulary, Analogies, Reading Comprehension, and Sentence Completion.
Review each domain carefully before the practice test
SSAT tests advanced vocabulary by asking for the closest synonym or the word that best fits a definition. Understanding Latin and Greek roots allows you to decode unfamiliar words on the exam.
bene- = good (benevolent, benefactor) | mal- = bad (malicious, malevolent)
-loquy/-loqu- = speech (loquacious, eloquent, soliloquy)
-ten-/-tain- = hold (tenacious, retain, contain)
mend- = lie/fault (mendacious, mendacity)
ephemer- = daily/short (ephemeral)
per-fid- = through + faith = betrayal (perfidious)
syco- = flatterer (sycophant)
BENEVOLENT most nearly means:
(A) hostile (B) charitable (C) timid (D) crafty (E) brilliant
Answer: (B) charitable — bene = good, volent = willing → good-willed → charitable
Analogies test logical relationships between word pairs. Always state the relationship as a precise sentence: "A [relationship verb] B, just as C [same relationship] D." The relationship type must be exact.
Function/Tool: scalpel : surgeon (tool : user)
Degree of Intensity: warm : scalding (mild : extreme)
Part to Whole: stanza : poem / chapter : novel
Defining Characteristic: charlatan : deceive (person : their defining action)
Resistance: parsimonious : spend (trait : action that person resists)
Absence of quality: arid : moisture (state : the thing absent)
PALETTE : PAINTER :: (A) brush : canvas (B) baton : conductor (C) stage : actor (D) notes : musician (E) clay : sculptor
Answer: (B) — A palette is the primary tool held/used by a painter. A baton is the primary tool held/used by a conductor.
Passages are 200–400 words followed by 4–7 questions. You must answer based only on the passage — never add outside knowledge. Question types include: main idea, author purpose, tone, specific detail, and inference.
1. Read all questions before reading the passage
2. Locate the main idea in the opening and closing sentences
3. For tone: identify evaluative adjectives the author uses
4. For inference: choose only what the text must imply — eliminate extremes
Passage states scientists found REM-like states in octopuses. The author's primary purpose is to:
(A) prove octopuses are intelligent (B) present emerging evidence (C) argue against research
Answer: (B) — The passage presents evidence without claiming definitive proof.
One or two blanks in a sentence. Identify signal words first — they tell you whether the blank agrees with or opposes the information already given in the sentence.
Contrast signals (blank OPPOSES the given info):
although, despite, ironically, yet, however, while, rather than, but
Support signals (blank AGREES with / follows from given info):
consequently, thus, because, since, therefore, indeed, in fact, so
Two-blank rule: eliminate any choice where either word fails the logic test
Although the professor was _____, her lectures were surprisingly _____ and hard to follow.
(A) brilliant .. clear (B) renowned .. convoluted (C) dull .. simple
Answer: (B) — "Although" = contrast. Renowned (positive reputation) contrasts with convoluted/hard to follow (negative reality).