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SSAT Writing: Essay Prompts and Samples

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The SSAT Essay

The SSAT essay is the first part of the SSAT exam. You will be given a choice of two topics, one creative writing topic, and one topic that asks for your opinion about an issue. You have 25 minutes to read the topics, choose the topic you wish to write about, organize your essay, and write.

Six Steps For Essay Writing: Getting It Right

1. Read the question to find out exactly what it asks you to do.

2. Choose a point of view or decide how to answer the question.

3. Outline your essay. For creative writing topics, use the topic given as the first sentence of your essay. Then write a descriptive story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. For all other essays, you will probably want four paragraphs: an introduction, two paragraphs for two supporting ideas or illustrations, and a conclusion.

4. Write the essay.

5. Proofread. Correct errors in punctuation, spelling, grammar, and word choice.

6. If needed, make phrasing changes as neatly as possible.

Now let's try these steps on a couple of sample topics:

Topic: Every student should be required to complete 60 hours of community service during his or her high school years. Do you agree or disagree?

1. This question is asking you to choose sides, then support your position.

2. You must now decide whether you want to write in favor or in opposition. Choose the side that you will find easier to defend with strong examples; which side you choose does not matter. The question is not really seeking your opinion. For this exercise, let's disagree.

3. Introduction: Community service should not be compulsory.

Point 1: Involuntary activities are never performed well.

A. Beneficiaries suffer from half-hearted service.

B. Student is resentful and gains no satisfaction.

Point 2: Teenagers must learn to arrange priorities and manage their time for their own benefit.

A. Some poor students cannot afford to give up so much study time.

B. Many beneficial extracurricular activities compete for precious time.

C. Some students must hold part-time jobs to help their families.

Conclusion: Community service should be encouraged, not be compulsory.

5. Proofread. Ask yourself these questions:

- Does each paragraph have a topic sentence? Is the topic sentence well developed within the paragraph?

- Is my language colorful and descriptive? Have I varied my sentence

- Do I make a convincing argument for my position?

- How is my spelling? Is my punctuation correct? What about my grammar?

6. Refine the essay if necessary. Remember: Neatness counts.

Tips for Writing Excellent Essays for the SSAT and ISEE exams

SSAT Essay Samples

What Is the SSAT Writing Sample?
SSAT Essay Writing Sample 1
SSAT Essay Writing Sample 2
A Well-written SSAT Essay Example
SSAT Writing: Example of A Well-written Essay

SSAT Essay Prompts

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Test Structure
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SSAT Synonyms
SSAT Analogies
SSAT Reading
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Essay Samples
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The SSAT vs. the ISEE
The SSAT: Word Problems
The SSAT: Synonyms
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The SSAT Essay: What to Expect
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SSAT Synonym Practice Questions
SSAT Analogy Practice Questions

SSAT Essay Samples

SSAT Prep Courses

Sample Topic: Do you agree that no good deed goes unpunished? It always bothers me when people talk about punishment. It’s not fair. I mean, there are some kids out there who do really good things, even though people don’t notice them. In my opinion, everyone spends too much time talking about whether or not there is enough punishment in the world. We should really be talking about more important things like the environment . . .

Common Pitfalls in Essay Writing

Brainstorming in action, sample topic 1.

Should free speech on the Internet be protected? Why or why not?

Sample Topic 2

Do we learn more from our mistakes than our successes? Why?

Sample Topic 3

My fondest memory is…

Just the Facts

Develop and organize your ideas.
Use three paragraphs.
Use appropriate examples.
Write in standard English.
Stick to the topic.
Use proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Practice Essay

Essay Topic: Voting is such an important responsibility that all citizens should be required to vote in every election.

Step 1: Brainstorm

Do you agree or disagree with the prompt? What examples might you use to support your argument? (Remember, give yourself only a few minutes to do this!)

Step 2: Make an Outline

Keep your essay to three paragraphs. Paragraph 1 gives your introduction and an example. Paragraph 2 gives another example, and paragraph 3 gives your final example and/or your conclusion.

Step 3: Write your Essay

Give yourself 15 minutes to write.

Step 4: Proofread

Go back to your essay and read through it again. Does it make sense? Have you made any spelling or grammar errors? Fix them. Get used to making corrections clearly on your page, since that’s what you will do the day of the test.

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The SSAT Writing Sample: What You Need to Know

The ssat writing sample .

Bonus Material: 30 Free SSAT Writing Sample Prompts

The first section of the SSAT is the writing sample. While this 25-minute section is unscored, admissions officers do review student responses!

In this post, we discuss how to approach the SSAT writing sample and offer 16 easy tips for producing a high-quality response .

You’ll also get access to 30 free SSAT writing sample prompts , which you can grab below right now.

Download 30 SSAT Writing Sample Prompts

Here’s what we cover:

The SSAT Writing Sample in a Nutshell

16 Tips for Writing an Impressive Response
Bonus : 30 SSAT Writing Sample Prompts

There are a few essential things to keep in mind with the SSAT writing sample:

The writing sample is unscored but is sent to admissions departments with your SSAT scores
The writing sample is a 25-minute free response
Students have two pages to write their answer

SSAT writing sample prompts vary depending on whether you’re taking the Upper-Level SSAT or Middle-Level SSAT:

Upper Level: you have the choice to write a persuasive essay or a creative story.
Middle Level: both prompt choices are creative essays.

The test will begin the SSAT Writing Sample section by offering you a choice:

Please choose the idea you find most interesting and write a story using the idea as your first sentence. Please fill in the circle next to the one you choose.

Students do not need any outside content knowledge to respond to an SSAT writing prompt. In fact, the prompts are intentionally broad to enable a wide variety of responses.

The SSAT actually states that the writing sample gives admissions departments a chance to learn more about applicants:

Schools would like to get to know you better through a story you tell using one of the ideas below.

Keep this in mind as you generate your response!

16 Tips for Writing an Impressive SSAT Writing Sample Response

Which prompt should i choose.

Students taking the Upper-Level SSAT will have to choose between a persuasive and a creative writing prompt. Middle-Level SSAT test-takers must choose between 2 different creative essay prompts.

Some students agonize over which prompt to choose on the Upper-Level or Middle-Level SSAT. Will one look “better” to admissions officers over another, for example?

It’s important to note that admissions officers will not give preference to students who choose one prompt over another !

Officers only review your writing sample response for its individual merits and writing proficiency. They might also review samples through the lens of what we like to call “institutional priorities”–standards that are specific to that private school itself.

Tips For Prompt Selection

We do encourage students to select the prompt that adheres to one or more of the following qualities.

We suggest students choose the Writing Sample prompt that

is most relevant given a student’s life experiences and perspectives
inspires the most ideas during the brainstorming process
excites, intrigues, or compels them
and/or showcases a student’s specific abilities.

For example, let’s say that MacKenzie excels in debate; she loves crafting an argument and supporting her points with specific, concrete evidence. As a debater, MacKenzie might be uniquely suited to respond to the persuasive Writing Sample prompt on the Upper-Level SSAT, especially if she is talented in developing a complex, high-level argument.

On the other hand, Akshay may find that as he’s considering the two prompts on the Middle-Level SSAT, the second creative prompt reminds him about his relationship with his grandmother and the time they’ve spent playing pickleball together. In the brainstorming process, he feels that he has more to say about this personal experience, and feels excited by the prospect.

Some students like to plan the prompt they’ll choose on Test Day: i.e., they know they’ll always stick with the creative prompt over the persuasive one.

However, many of our SSAT students find that the prompts can be very distinct, and one will often “stick out” over the other one.

That’s why we recommend practicing with sample SSAT writing prompts, so that you can be prepared to craft a stellar response for whichever prompt you select. You can do this right now by downloading 30 free sample prompts below.

5 General Tips for the SSAT Writing Sample

Whether you choose a creative or persuasive essay prompt, it’s important to follow these general tips.

Doing so won’t result in a high SSAT score (because this section is unscored!). But it will guarantee a response likely to impress admissions departments.

Write legibly : If admissions departments can’t read your response, they’ll never know how amazing your essay is!
Budget your time: This includes a few minutes for planning/outlining at the beginning, and another few minutes for a proof-read for grammar, spelling, and punctuation at the end.
Fill your booklet: We’re not advocating quantity over quality. But, in general, aim for more rather than less . If you only write one paragraph, it won’t give admissions committees much to assess.
Keep tense and point of view consistent : Don’t switch from past to present verb tense or “I” to “he/she/it” halfway through your essay.
Stick to a clear structure : This refers quite simply to a framework of beginning, middle, and end . This can mean slightly different things for persuasive and creative essays.

3 Tips for Responding to Persuasive SSAT Writing Sample Prompts (Upper-Level)

For the Upper-Level SSAT persuasive writing sample, students should focus on logically and convincingly building an argument . A logical, persuasive argument generally includes a cohesive structure, clear line of reasoning, and solid evidence.

There are a couple of tools we can use to accomplish this goal.

1. Include an introduction, thesis, and conclusion.

Essay reviewers will like to see several distinct argument building blocks in your essay, especially an introduction, a thesis statement, and a conclusion. Most SSAT test-takers will have worked on these components of the 5-paragraph essay in class.

Given the Writing Sample’s time limit (25 minutes), the introduction and conclusion of your response can be fairly brief; feel free to write just a sentence or two for both.

The thesis statement typically comes at the end of the introduction, and concisely states the core argument that you are about to prove.

Here’s an example thesis statement:

While there are many qualities that make a good leader, the three most important ones are integrity, commitment to a cause, and ability to inspire others.

2. Choose and maintain a clear thesis statement.

It’s easier to pick one side of an argument and commit to it than to try to argue both sides of the fence. In fact, your thesis statement should be as clear as possible in its perspective.

That doesn’t mean your essay can’t include an evaluation of a counterargument , in which you bring up an opposing argument and show why your own is stronger. In fact, the counterargument can be a powerful device in persuasive essays!

Here’s an example of a counterargument:

It is true that success can help show you what you are doing right, but you will always be limited by what you believe you can achieve; whereas if you are not afraid to fail, you may realize you are capable of more than you had imagined.

Be sure to maintain your thesis statement throughout your essay, referencing it in every topic sentence of individual paragraphs.

Note: It is all right to use the first-person point of view in these responses, even though most English teachers discourage this in the classroom.

3. Use specific examples to support your argument.

Strong, specific examples demonstrate that you can point to relevant evidence correlating your argument. History, current events, and experiences from your own life are some great sources from which to draw.

Here’s an example of a statement supported by specific evidence:

Abraham Lincoln was only president for four years, but his commitment to his cause of American union makes him consistently one of the most popular presidents in history. Similarly, in my personal life, my favorite teachers and coaches have always been the ones who were passionate about their subjects or the act of teaching itself.

3 Tips for Responding to Creative SSAT Writing Sample Prompts

Students taking the Middle-Level SSAT will have to choose between 2 creative essay prompts. Upper-Level SSAT test-takers must choose between a creative prompt and a persuasive one.

If you select the creative SSAT writing sample prompt on either test, your primary goal is to show that you can tell an engaging, well-structured story .

It may be a true story from your own life or one completely based on imagination. All that matters is that you tell it in a compelling fashion and demonstrate proficiency in basic creative writing techniques, such as dialogue, setting, plot development, description, and narrative arc.

Below are some tips to help with this.

1. In the opening of your essay, establish the setting.

Setting or place is a foundational element of basic creative writing. Establishing your response’s setting at the start will demonstrate your attention to this.

A great tool here is vivid descriptive detail that utilizes the senses. Think about what the characters are seeing, touching, hearing, tasting, or smelling as they move around their specific environment.

The same goes for imagery. Fill your prose with rich images to set the scene for the reader and guide them through the narrative. Here’s an example of compelling imagery in action that establishes setting:

Pebbles crunched all around her as she pushed herself faster downhill, and her eyes watered from the red dust that was turning her throat dry.

2. Establish the main character(s) and conflict.

What does the main character want, and what is stopping them from reaching this goal? Identify this before writing your essay, and be sure to establish it early on in your response.

The classic examples of conflict are character against nature, character against character, and character against self. Here is an example of narrative conflict:

She had to get to the bottom of the trail before the gulch flooded and took her horse downstream with it.

3. Follow the general principles of story structure.

You probably already know these general principles from all the books, movies, and TV shows you have watched in your life: most stories have a beginning, middle, and end. As the character deals with the conflict, the action rises to a climax. As the character overcomes the conflict, action falls toward a conclusion.

We strongly recommend outlining and brainstorming the story structure of your creative response before plunging in, as in the following example:

In the beginning, the main character is racing down the rocky trail to save her horse from an approaching flood. Conflict arises when a boulder is blocking the trail, which she overcomes by taking a shortcut. In the end, she reaches the bottom of the trail and saves her horse just in time.

4 Additional Tips

Now that you have more of a sense of what the SSAT writing sample entails, here’s what you can do to prepare:

Take a practice timed SSAT writing sample . Make sure to budget a couple of minutes at the beginning for planning and a couple of minutes at the end for proofreading!
Show your practice essay to trusted readers . Ask them to note any errors and provide feedback. Do they feel convinced by your argument or engaged by your story?
Reflect on the comments on your writing sample. What worked in your initial attempt, and what didn’t? Should you organize your time differently?
Repeat! Notice how the comments evolve as you keep practicing. Are there words you are consistently misspelling? Elements you keep forgetting to include?

Over time, you will feel yourself becoming more comfortable with the SSAT writing sample. Practice can also help you understand how the writing response can be a space for showcasing your unique ideas and personality!

Download 30 SSAT Writing Sample Prompts for Practice

You can put these 16 tips to practice right now by downloading PrepMaven’s 30 free SSAT writing sample prompts!

With this worksheet, you’ll get:

15 Creative SSAT Writing Sample prompts
15 Persuasive SSAT Writing Sample prompts
A valuable long-term resource for your continued SSAT prep

Jess is a Princeton graduate who majored in English and minored in Visual Arts (Film). She has worked as an SAT/ACT/AP/SSAT/ISEE/HSPT tutor as well as a college counselor and loves getting to know students through her work. When not tutoring, she enjoys reading, writing, running, adding to her classic rock music collection, and exploring the West!

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Essay prompts to practice for the middle level ssat.

Posted on December 15th, 2021 by Allison . Posted in SSAT TEST PREP , SSAT TUTORING - 0 Comments

Although the SSAT essay is not scored, it is still important to do your very best, as it will be sent to the admissions officer of the schools to which you are applying. Practicing ahead of time with some essay prompts is a good idea.

The SSAT includes a 25-minute Writing Sample of one to two pages in length. Middle Level students will be asked to write a story starting with a phrase or a sentence provided by the test. Upper Level students will be asked to choose between writing a story and writing an essay in response to a question. The essay topics tend to be broad and varied. In some cases, you will be asked to take a side on an issue (in other words, you will be asked to write a persuasive essay). In some cases, you will be asked to offer a description or show cause and effect (in other words, you will be asked to write an informative essay).

Although the Writing Sample will not affect your SSAT score, admissions officers consider your Writing Sample an important component of your application. They will look for a strong writing style free from spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes. They will also try to get a sense of who you are as a person. With this in mind, choose subjects you would be comfortable talking about during an interview with a principal or admissions officer. Avoid overly dark, violent, or inappropriate subject matter.

The SSAT Middle Level Essay requires students to write a short story in twenty-five minutes. Two sentences will be provided, and students are asked to select the sentence they find most interesting and use it as the first sentence of a short story. Here are some tips to think about when working on the essay:

1. Follow the instructions. Make sure the sentence provided by the SSAT is the first sentence of your story.

2. Budget your time! Make sure to save time at the end to edit for spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

3. Decide what point of view you will use and stick to it! Sometimes the point of view is established by the sentence provided: – First person uses “I”: “I couldn’t believe my eyes.” – Third person uses “he”, “she”, “it”, “they”: “He couldn’t believe his eyes.”

4. Decide what tense you will use for your story and stick to it! Sometimes the tense is established by the sentence provided: – Past tense: I saw, I went, I did. – Present tense (rarer and more difficult to maintain): I see, I go, I do.

5. In your first paragraph, establish the setting of your story using vivid description involving sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound.

6. In your first paragraph, establish the conflict. – Conflict is the problem, difficulty, or challenge facing the main character.

7. Every story should have a clear structure: beginning, middle, and end (in other words, rising action, climax, falling action, conclusion)

Essay Prompts

Here’s a list of essay prompts with which to practice. You have twenty-five minutes to complete each writing sample.

Schools would like to get to know you better through a story you tell using one of the two topics below. Please choose an idea you find most interesting and write a story using the idea as your first sentence. Please select the topic you find most interesting and fill in the circle next to the topic you choose.

Topic: Where had everyone gone? Topic: I knew it was dangerous, but . . . Topic: She opened the door and saw . . . Topic: I realized he needed help. Topic: I could not believe my eyes. Topic: How could I have turned into a . . .

Allison Green Boston Tutoring Services