Detailed SSAT Tested Points
Word problems are very heavily tested and often make up about 25-30% of the math challenge. Students should learn to translate words into equations, tables, diagrams, and units.
Rate and Work
- Distance/rate/time
- D = RT
- Work problems
- Unit rates
Number and Age Problems
- Age problems
- Consecutive numbers
- Define the smaller or younger quantity first
- Translate "twice," "three more than," and "sum" carefully
Money and Mixtures
- Money problems
- Mixtures
- Profit and discounts
- Keep track of total cost, number of items, and price per item
Ratio and Percent Stories
- Ratios
- Percent increase/decrease
- Original amount vs. new amount
- Set up part-to-whole relationships
Core Knowledge
Distance: D = RT.
Age: assign a variable to the younger or smaller value first.
Money: total cost = number × price.
Mixtures: organize parts and totals before solving.
Translate one sentence at a time. The SSAT often tests whether you can set up the problem, not whether you can do hard arithmetic.
Practice
- A train travels 60 mph for 2 hours. How far does it travel?
- Three notebooks and two pens cost $16. Each notebook costs $4. What does one pen cost?
- Leo is twice as old as Sam. Together they are 39. How old is Leo?
- A store buys a toy for $12 and sells it for $18. What is the profit percent based on cost?
- A number and the next consecutive number add to 57. What is the smaller number?
- A tank fills at 8 gallons per minute. How many minutes are needed to fill 120 gallons?
Show Answer Key
1. 120 miles.
2. $2.
3. 26.
4. 50%.
5. 28.
6. 15 minutes.