SSAT Verbal

There are two parts to the verbal section in the SSAT (Secondary School Admissions Test) test: synonyms and analogies.

Synonyms:

This part of the SSAT verbal assesses the student’s vocabulary and their understanding of word meanings. The student is to find the word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. Knowing the definitions of root words, common prefixes and suffixes will increase a student’s success. If a word looks unfamiliar, he should recall that word in context to help decipher the meaning.

Analogies:

This part of the SSAT verbal compares two different things that are related to each other or have similarity. Common analogy comparisons are:

•  part/whole
•  example/category
•  cause/effect
•  synonyms, antonyms, homonyms
•  tool/use
•  user/tool
•  subject/object
•  parts of speech
•  measurement
•  location

Elementary Level

Synonym

The question below has one word, followed by five other words. Select one answer whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

Example 1: HUMOROUS

1. Serious
2. Boring
3. Amusing
4. Gloomy
5. Exciting

Analogy

The question below asks you to find a relationship between words. Select the answer that best completes the meaning of the sentence.

Example 2: Small is to petite as

1. large is to giant
2. all is to some
3. big is to small
4. left is to right
5. up is to down

Middle Level

Synonym

The question below has one word, followed by five other words. Select one answer whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

Example 3: SPLENDID

1. Lavish
2. Common
3. Stupid
4. Inferior
5. Luxury

Analogy

The question below asks you to find a relationship between words. Select the answer that best completes the meaning of the sentence.

Example 4: Deer is to forest as

1. banana is to fruit
2. tiger is to cat
3. lion is to savannah
4. polar bear is to Antarctica
5. fish tank is to guppy

Upper Level

Synonym

The question below has one word, followed by five other words. Select one answer whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.

Example 5: SUPERFLUOUS

1. Necessary
2. Important
3. Excessive
4. Useful
5. Reasonable

Analogy

The question below asks you to find a relationship between words. Select the answer that best completes the meaning of the sentence.

Example 6:  Aunt is to sister as

1. nephew is to brother
2. daughter is to mother
3. uncle is to brother
4. cousin is to sister
5. grandchild is to grandparent

Example Answers:

1. C
2. A
3. A
4. C
5. C
6. C

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