Similar to the ISEE but packing a heavier verbal punch, the SSAT is a formidable challenge for students applying to competitive independent and boarding schools. Though it tests many of the same domains — verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, and writing — the SSAT distinguishes itself with its literary sophistication. Passages may include complex poetry, rhetorical prose, and elevated diction more reminiscent of High School exams like the SAT. The test calls not only for critical reasoning, but for the kind of flexible thinking and close reading that comes from deep engagement with language.

Grey Eyed Owl’s SSAT preparation mirrors our proven three-phase approach: diagnostic and foundations, strategy and enrichment, and a final phase of mastery, timing, and refinement. Students learn to navigate each section with clarity and purpose, building vocabulary from our signature Owl’s Master List, dissecting poetic and narrative structures, and developing the composure to write well under pressure. Emphasis is placed not just on what students know, but how they think — how they make meaning, connect ideas, and communicate insight.

At Grey Eyed Owl, we believe test prep is not just a means to an end — it’s a rite of passage into more confident scholarship. By the end of their journey, students aren’t just ready for the SSAT; they’re reading, writing, and reasoning at a far more advanced level than they ever imagined.