Taking practice tests online versus on paper each offer different pros and cons. Ultimately, it is up to you which option you decide to choose.
Our platform is specifically designed for online practice, therefore you will receive the most valuable and greatest feedback if your child practices online. We recommend that your child take at least the first practice test online, so you can gain valuable insight into their time management, areas of improvement, strengths, and more. Once students have taken a test, they can view analyses of their results for the test overall, section-by-section, or question-by-question. Each question provides a solution as well as a follow-up exercise to practice that type of question or skill.
With our paper tests, there are multiple ways to take and score the tests using our platform (see Two Ways to Score A Paper Test for more detail). Your child can either (1) print the test and enter in their answer choices online as they take the test or (2) print the test, mark their answer choices on paper, and then re-enter them into our system to score the test. With the first option (which is recommended) you will be able to receive valuable timing feedback, while with the second option you will not.
Finally, it is important to take practice tests under conditions that mimic the official test. The SSAT can be taken on paper at a school testing site, on a computer at home, or on a computer at a Prometric testing location. With our platform you can practice in a way which is right for your child.