Canada admissions

The SSAT for Canadian private schools

6 min read · updated 2026-10-03

Many Canadian independent schools ask older applicants for the SSAT, but each sets its own rules. This guide summarises six well-known Toronto and Vancouver schools for September 2027 entry; each has a full guide on our schools pages.

Toronto

✓ Upper Canada College: SSAT for applicants to Year 7 (Grade 6) and above, registered before 31 December; applications due 1 December 2026; decisions 26 February 2027
✓ Havergal College: day applications due 1 December 2026; testing depends on the grade (Grade 10 applicants are encouraged to take the SSAT before 10 January 2027); offers 26 February 2027
✓ Branksome Hall: Grades 9-11 submit the SSAT or take the school's own test; day applications due 1 December 2026; decisions 26 February 2027
✓ Crescent School: its own in-person maths and literacy assessment for Grades 7 and 9 instead of the SSAT; applications due 1 December 2026

Vancouver

✓ Crofton House School: SSAT for Grades 8-12, with scores due by 27 November 2026; Grade 8 applications due 1 November 2026
✓ St. George's School: SSAT for Grades 9-11 by 31 December 2026, and the Middle Level SSAT for shortlisted Grade 6-8 candidates; main day deadline 30 October 2026

When to book the SSAT

Vancouver deadlines are earlier than Toronto's, so Vancouver applicants should test in October or early November. Toronto applicants usually test in November or December. Saturday SSAT dates include 10 October 2026, and Flex testing offers more options.