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The SSAT Penalty Rule: How It Works—and How to Beat It
- Sapneil Parikh
- Aug 27
- 3 min read
The SSAT’s scoring system includes a guessing penalty that can help or hurt you depending on how you play it. Once you understand the math behind the rule—and plug in a few smart habits—you can protect your score and even pick up extra points without learning a single new concept.
What is the SSAT penalty rule?
For most multiple-choice questions on the SSAT:
+1 point for a correct answer
−0.25 points for an incorrect answer
0 points for a blank
Your raw score is: Raw Score = Correct − 0.25 × Incorrect
That raw score is then converted to a scaled score.
Should you guess or skip?
On most sections, SSAT questions have five answer choices. Here’s the expected value (EV) math:
If you guess completely at random (no elimination):EV = (1/5 × +1) + (4/5 × −0.25) = +0.20 − 0.20 = 0Translation: pure random guessing is neutral on average.
If you eliminate 1 wrong choice (4 left):EV = 1/4 − 3/4 × 0.25 = 0.25 − 0.1875 = +0.0625
If you eliminate 2 wrong choices (3 left):EV = 1/3 − 2/3 × 0.25 ≈ 0.333 − 0.167 = +0.167
If you eliminate 3 wrong choices (2 left):EV = 1/2 − 1/2 × 0.25 = 0.50 − 0.125 = +0.375
Bottom line:
Blind guessing is mathematically neutral but can waste time.
If you can confidently cross out even one option, an educated guess is in your favor.
The more you eliminate, the better the odds—and the bigger the expected gain.
Time management rules to live by
One-pass pacing
Move steadily and bank the easy points first. If a question stalls you for ~45–60 seconds, mark it, guess if you’ve eliminated at least one option, and move on.
Two-pass cleanup
On your second pass, return to marked questions. Prioritize any where you already eliminated choices; those are profitable guesses.
Protect your final minute
With 60–90 seconds left, quickly bubble any questions where you’ve crossed out at least one answer. Leave totally blank only those you never touched.
Fast elimination tactics that work
Opposites and outliers
In vocab and analogies, pairs of answers often mirror each other. If the stem clearly points one way, the opposite is usually a trap.
Units, signs, and scale checks
In math, eliminate choices that violate units, are the wrong sign, or don’t fit reasonable magnitude.
Plug and test
For algebra-style items, plug answer choices back into the question. Often one or two fail immediately.
Context clues
In reading, eliminate choices that are too extreme, introduce new ideas not in the passage, or contradict explicit lines.
Grammar logic
For verbal/reading items with sentence logic, cut choices that create redundancy or illogical transitions.
Practice like the real thing
Simulate sections with the penalty in mind
Track three counts every practice: correct, incorrect, blank. Compute your raw score with the formula so you feel the tradeoffs.
Build an elimination habit
Force yourself to cross out at least one option on every medium or hard question before you decide to skip.
Create a personal guessing threshold
For example: “If I can’t eliminate at least one, I skip. If I eliminate one or more, I guess.”
Quick strategy checklist for test day
Bank the sure points early; don’t get stuck.
Eliminate aggressively; guess when you’ve crossed out at least one choice.
Skip true mystery questions rather than donating 0.25 points.
Leave 60–90 seconds to bubble educated guesses you’ve queued up.
Stay calm—steady pacing plus elimination beats last-minute scrambling.
FAQs
What if a section uses four choices, not five?
Recheck the EV: random guess EV becomes negative with a 0.25 penalty and four choices. In that case, avoid blind guesses; only guess after elimination.
Do blanks ever hurt me?
No. Blanks are neutral. But too many blanks leave easy points on the table—use elimination to convert blanks into profitable guesses.
Should I change answers?
Only if you have new evidence (a spotted error or a fresh elimination). Second-guessing without a reason tends to lower scores.
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