Vince Kotchian is a full-time standardized test tutor specializing in the MAT, SSAT, ISEE, ACT, GRE, and GMAT. He teaches a GRE prep course at the University of California, San Diego, and has an extensive understanding of analogies and the MAT.
The Secondary School Aptitude Test (SSAT) and Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) are the two most common standardized aptitude tests used in American private secondary schools. Prepare for the SSAT and ISEE by knowing what to expect on the tests, how to register for the exams, and how to do your best on test day.
The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) is an aptitude test used for admission to graduate programs. Although it's lesser known than the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), many universities base their assessment of potential students on the MAT score, and the test has been around for more than 50 years.Knowing how the test is structured, how to best plan your study regiment, and how to decipher and share your test results will help you earn a place in the program of your choice.
You don’t have to be a snobby art critic to do well with art content on the MAT. To make the right connections on the Miller Analogies Test, you just need to know the major developments, works, and people of art history.
Start by brushing up on your knowledge of art and art techniques by studying these terms and their definitions.
Registration info, test dates, and fees for the ISEE are always changing, so be sure to check out the ISEE homepage. Here, you can find the latest information about registering for the ISEE, and you can even register online.
The online registration allows you to locate and register for an open test site during various times throughout the year.
Test dates, fees, and other important registration info for the SSAT are always changing, so check out the SSAT website before you register for the test. Here, you can find the latest information about registering for the SSAT, and you can even register online. Also, if you observe a Saturday Sabbath, the SSAT website shows you how to register for a Sunday exam.
Naturally, you want to do your best on the SSAT and ISEE, so how can you make sure your performance shines on test day? Here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:
Take advantage of practice questions and practice exams on the SSAT and ISEE websites. The more you practice, the better prepared you'll be for the actual test.
The SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) explores your ability in a few distinct key areas. In fact, the SSAT focuses on only a few subjects, divided into four sections. With the exception of the Writing section, all questions on the test are multiple-choice.
Section
Questions
Time Limit
Writing Sample
One writing prompt
25 minutes
Quantitative
Two sections: 25 questions each, consisting of a mixture of
different kinds of questions in each section
30 minutes for each section
Reading Comprehension
One section: 40 questions based on about 7 reading
passages
40 minutes
Verbal
One section: 30 synonym questions and 30 analogy questions
30 minutes
The SSAT has two different versions: The lower level test and the upper level test.
You can't make the SSAT or ISEE any easier, but you can start your test day off right and make it easier and less stressful, which can lead to better results on your entrance exam. Here are a few tips to keep in mind on SSAT or ISEE test day:
Get plenty of rest. The night before the test is a time to sleep — not a time to text your friends until the early morning hours.
The ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) is a standardized test, which means its goal is to test your achievement level based on the performance of other students in your grade level. The ISEE focuses only on your ability to read and answer questions about the passage, to handle English language questions, to write effectively, and to do the math.
Excelling on the MAT requires mastery of just one type of test question: the analogy. However, the analogy will be used to test your knowledge on a wide variety of subjects. Here are a few preparation tips for tackling this test:
Have a baseline.
Take an official MAT practice test, which you can purchase online.