The SSAT, ISEE, and CTP 5 are standardized tests that measure academic performance and are required for admission to most independent schools. Scores are used to supplement a student’s entire application. The content for both tests is similar, and many students tend to perform similarly on these tests. However, the tests differ in scoring and logistics, so those details will help determine which test will be a better fit for each student.
SSAT
The SSAT (Secondary School Admissions Test) consists of five sections: writing (not scored), reading comprehension, verbal reasoning, and two quantitative reasoning sections. There is also a brief, unscored experimental section at the end of each test.
Levels:
- Elementary Level- students currently in grades 3-4
- Middle Level- students currently in grades 5-7
- Upper Level- students currently in grades 8-11
Test Format & Timing:
| Section | Total Test Time/Breakdown | Number of Questions/Types | Content/Skills Covered |
| Writing Section | 25 minutes (one section) | 1 essay prompt | Writing skills |
| Quantitative | 60 minutes (two 30-minute sections) | 50 multiple-choice questions | Math computation and reasoning |
| Reading | 40 minutes (one section) | 7 reading passages and 40 questions | Reading comprehension |
| Verbal | 30 minutes (one section) | 30 synonym questions; 30 analogy questions | Vocabulary and Verbal reasoning skills |
| Experimental Section | 15 minutes (one section) | 16 Questions | Sample questions: 6 verbal, 5 reading, 5 quantitative |
Scoring:
The SSAT gives scores as percentiles (1st through 99th). This type of scoring is called “norm-referencing” because it compares each student to the performances of other test-takers over the past three years.
For example, students who receive a score of in the 80th percentile on the Reading Comprehension section have performed better than 80% of the similar population who took the test in those years.
On the Middle-Level and Upper-Level SSAT students earn one point for every correct answer, lose ¼ of a point for every wrong answer, and get zero points for questions that are left blank. Students earn one point for every correct answer and there is no penalty for incorrect answers on the Elementary-Level SSAT.
Test Dates:
Students have a few testing options for the SSAT:
- Computer-Based testing at-home: Live remote proctoring. The same test delivered on a computer, in the student’s own home. The 2024-25 SSAT test dates are open for registration.
- Computer-Based testing at Prometric Test Center: Live remote proctoring. Delivered on a computer, but students register through Prometric.
- Paper-Based at a Testing Center: Students can take the paper-based test at a local test center on select test dates. Registration for the 2024-25 school year will is now open.
- Paper-Based Flex Test: A Flex test is a paper-based SSAT given to an individual or group on any date other than the scheduled paper-based dates. Students can take the Flex test with member schools or approved local Educational Consultants, on mutually agreed upon dates, times, and locations. Students at all testing levels can take a Flex test once per calendar year – between August 1 and July 21. If you are interested in taking a “flex test”, we are happy to connect you with flex test providers in your local area.
Many students take this test more than once, and there is no limit on the number of tests a student may take. However, submitted scores must be from the same school year as the application. Students can choose which set of scores to send to schools and do not have to send all scores.
Accommodations Request Deadlines: A list of testing accommodations and deadlines can be found here.
Accommodations:
For a complete list of SSAT testing accommodations, please click here. Common accommodations include extended time, use of assistive technology, and distraction-free rooms.
To request accommodations for the SSAT, create a student account on the official SSAT website. Families will also need to provide the contact information of a psychologist or medical doctor who can provide documentation. The SSAT will approve/deny the request once they receive and process all the required documentation.
Note: This process takes up to two weeks after receipt of the completed file. Students should not register for a test date before receiving the accommodations decision. Registration deadlines for registering SSAT with accommodations are earlier than regular testing deadlines. For more information on SSAT accommodations, click here.
Registration:
To register for the SSAT, click here.
ISEE
Administered by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB), the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) consists of five sections: writing sample (not scored), verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, and mathematics achievement. The length and difficulty of these sections depend on which grade the student is applying to.
Levels:
- Primary Level-students applying to grades 2, 3, or 4 (online only)
- Lower Level-students applying to 5th or 6th grade (offered online and on paper)
- Middle Level-students applying to 7th or 8th (offered online and on paper)
- Upper Level-students applying to 9th through 12th (offered online and on paper)
Test Format & Timing:
Test Format and Timing for the ISEE is dependent on level.
- Primary level – Entering Grade 2: 53 minutes + untimed writing
- Primary level – Entering Grade 3: 54 minutes + untimed writing
- Primary level – Entering Grade 4: 60 minutes + untimed writing
| Section | Timing | Question Types | Content |
| Grade 2 ONLY: Auditory Comprehension | Grade 2: 7 minutes | 1 passage (audio only) 6 multiple-choice (text & audio) | Listening |
| Reading | Grade 2: 20 minutes Grade 3: 28 minutes Grade 4: 30 minutes | Grade 2: 18 questions / 3 passages Grade 3: 24 questions / 4 passages Grade 4: 28 questions / 4 passages | Main Idea Supporting Ideas Inference Vocabulary Organization/Logic Figurative Language |
| Math | Grades 2-3: 26 minutes Grade 4: 30 minutes | Grades 2-3: 24 multiple choice Grade 4: 28 multiple choice Several picture problems | Number sense and operations Algebraic concepts Geometric concepts Measurement Data analysis and probability |
| Writing | Untimed | Grades 2-3: Picture prompt Grade 4: Written prompt | Basic writing skills |
- Lower level – Entering Grades 5-6: 2hr 20min
| Section | Timing | Question Types | Content |
| Verbal | 20 minutes | 40 multiple-choice, Synonym/sentence completion (w/ one blank) | Verbal reasoning Vocabulary in context |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 35 minutes | 37 multiple choice and quantitative comparison word problems | Math calculation and reasoning |
| Reading Comprehension | 35 minutes | 36 multiple-choice, Passage-based questions | Main idea Supporting ideas Inference Vocabulary Organization/logic Tone/style/language |
| Math Achievement | 40 minutes | 47 multiple-choice questions (incl. word problems) | Whole numbers Decimals, percentages, fractions Algebraic concepts Geometry Measurement Data Analysis and Probability |
| Essay | 30 minutes | 1 Essay in response to a prompt | Personal essay |
- Middle level – Entering grades 7-8: 2hr 40min
| Section | Timing | Question Types | Content |
| Verbal | 20 minutes | 34 multiple choice, Synonym/sentence completion | Verbal Reasoning Vocabulary in Context |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 35 minutes | 38 multiple choice, Word problems | Math calculation and reasoning |
| Reading Comprehension | 25 minutes | 25 multiple choice, Passage-based reading questions | Main idea Supporting ideas Inference Vocabulary Organization/logic Tone/style/language |
| Math Achievement | 30 minutes | 30 multiple choice questions | Whole numbers Decimals, percentages, fractions Algebraic concepts Geometry Measurement Data Analysis and Probability |
| Essay | 30 minutes | 1 Essay in response to a prompt | Personal essay |
- Upper level – Entering Grades 9-12: 2 hr 40 min
| Section | Timing | Question Types | Content |
| Verbal | 20 minutes | 40 multiple-choice, synonym/sentence completion (w/ one and two blanks) | Verbal reasoning Vocabulary in context |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 35 minutes | 37 multiple choice and quantitative comparison word problems | Math calculation and reasoning |
| Reading Comprehension | 35 minutes | 36 Multiple-choice, Passage-based reading comprehension questions | Main idea Supporting ideas Inference Vocabulary Organization/logic Tone/style/language |
| Math | 40 minutes | 47 multiple-choice questions (includes word problems) | Number sense Algebraic concepts Geometry Measurement Data Analysis and Probability |
| Essay | 30 minutes | 1 Essay in response to a prompt | Personal essay |
Scoring:
The ISEE gives scores as stanines, which are derived from percentiles.
| Percentile Rank | Stanine |
| 1-3 | 1 |
| 4-10 | 2 |
| 11-22 | 3 |
| 23-39 | 4 |
| 40-59 | 5 |
| 60-76 | 6 |
| 77-88 | 7 |
| 89-95 | 8 |
| 96-99 | 9 |
This type of scoring is called “norm-referencing” because it compares each student to the performances of other test-takers.
For example, students who receive a score of 75th percentile (stanine of 6) on the Verbal Reasoning section have performed better than 75% of the similar population who took the test.
There is no wrong penalty for wrong answers on the ISEE.
Test Dates:
Students have a few testing options for the ISEE:
- Computer-Based testing at-home:Live remote proctoring. The same test delivered on a computer, in the student’s own home.
- Computer-Based testing at Prometric Test Center: Live remote proctoring. Delivered on a computer, but students register through Prometric.
- Small-group or individual testing at a testing office: See list of available testing offices. Paper or online depends on location.
- Large-group testing at a school: Largely paper-based. This is coordinated by the school itself.
Test dates can be viewed upon registration.
Many students take this test more than once. Crucially, students may only take the ISEE once in each “testing season.” These seasons are: Fall (August-November), Winter (December-March), and Spring/Summer (April-July). Due to this logistical restriction, students need to plan ahead.
Accommodations:
Common accommodations for the ISEE include extended time (1.5x or 2x) and taking the test in a private room. For a full list of accommodations, please click here.
To request accommodations for the ISEE, create a parent account online at the official ISEE site. Formal documentation is required, and once the request is processed, students will automatically receive the ISEE Accommodations Request Form via email.
Note: This process takes up to two weeks after the ERB has received the completed file. Students should not register for a test date before receiving a decision about the accommodations decision. For more information on ISEE accommodations, click here.
Registration:
To register for the ISEE click here.
CTP 5
The Comprehensive Testing Program is an exam used by many private and public schools in order to measure student levels of academic achievement, and used in some states (such as Connecticut) as an entrance examination. It is administered by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB). The CTP 5 is the paper-based test and the CTP Online is the computer-based test. Students take different levels of the test that correspond to their grade levels.
Schools in the Connecticut area largely use the CTP 5, the paper-based test.
Levels:
There are 10 levels of the CTP. Each level is composed of multiple-choice and open-ended questions including the following topics:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Vocabulary
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing Mechanics
- Writing Concepts and Skills
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Mathematics
The online version of the CTP also includes Science.
Scoring:
Scoring for both the CTP 5 and the CTP Online tests provide both percentile and stanine comparisons directly to schools. Similar to as you will see on the ISEE, this type of scoring is called “norm-referencing” because it compares each student to the performances of other test-takers.
For example, students who receive a score of 75th percentile (stanine of 6) on the Verbal Reasoning section have performed better than 75% of the similar population who took the test.
It is up to each school as to whether parents receive a copy of their student’s test scores.
There is no wrong answer penalty on the CTP 5 and CTP online. Students are encouraged to answer every question.
Test Dates:
The CTP 5 is administered at several participating independent schools in the Greenwich area. Families may register to test at any school serving as a test site and request that scores be sent to any of the participating schools. CTP 5 testing should be completed by January 15. Early registration is encouraged as space is limited at all test sites. These dates are generally in November, and are to be announced by the schools.
The CTP Online test dates operate by season, and are listed below. Black out dates indicate periods where the CTP portal is down for maintenance.
| Testing Season | Dates | Black-Out Dates |
| Fall 2024-25 | August 1, 2024 – February 21, 2025 | February 22, 2025 – March 2, 2025 |
| Spring 2024-25 | March 3, 2025 – July 23, 2025 | July 24, 2025 – July 31, 2025 |
Accommodations:
Discretion for accommodations is largely left up to the school. Schools are typically advised to follow existing accommodation protocols that a student may receive for other in-class assignments or tests. Where applicable, schools should also follow a student’s 504 or IEP plan for guidance on what accommodation to provide.
Registration:
To register for the CTP 5, please check with the school of interest. In Greenwich, many independent schools collaborate to provide testing options, and will announce them in the beginning of the academic year.
To register for the CTP Online, click here.
