Fixed mindset
A voice in your head says: “I can’t do this. I’m just not good at math.”
Mindset & Study Habits
How you study matters just as much as what you study. Time to become a Brain Athlete.
Lesson summary
Welcome to a very special part of your SSAT journey! In this lesson, we are going to talk about something just as important as math and vocabulary: your brain’s habits and attitude. We will explore what a “mindset” is, why good study habits are your secret superpower, and how training your brain is just like training for a sport. By the end of this lesson, you will be ready to build a positive attitude that will help you conquer the SSAT!
Direct instruction
Welcome to the mindset zone!
Hello again! As you prepare for the SSAT Elementary Level exam, you are going to learn a lot of new words and math tricks. But did you know that how you study is just as important as what you study?
Think of taking the SSAT like running a race or playing in a big soccer game. Athletes don’t just show up on game day; they practice, they rest, and they teach themselves to stay positive even when the game gets hard. In this section of the course, we are going to teach you how to be a Brain Athlete!
What is a “mindset”?
Your mindset is the way you think about yourself and your abilities.
Growth mindset
You say: “I can’t do this yet, but if I practice, my brain will grow stronger!”
For the SSAT, we want to build a huge growth mindset. Every time you get a question wrong, it isn’t a bad thing. It is actually a clue showing you exactly how to make your brain smarter!
Why do study habits matter?
A “habit” is something you do over and over again until it becomes automatic, like brushing your teeth. Study habits are the routines you create to help you learn best. Good study habits include:
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Same spot, every day
Studying in the same quiet place helps your brain switch into learning mode faster.
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Everything ready
Keep your pencils, scratch paper, and water bottle ready before you start.
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Short bursts
Study for short amounts of time, like 20 minutes, instead of for hours and hours.
What you will learn in this section
In this specific section of the course, we will not be solving math problems or reading stories. Instead, we are going to focus entirely on YOU! We will learn:
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How to create a winning study schedule
A simple plan that fits around school, play, and rest.
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How to set up the perfect homework station
The right spot, the right supplies, and zero distractions.
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Tricks to calm your nerves
How to take deep breaths if you feel worried on test day.
Your goal for today
Your only job right now is to promise yourself that you will try your best. The SSAT is a challenge, but you are absolutely capable of doing amazing things. Let’s get ready to build some unstoppable study habits!
Worked examples
1
Worked example
Mia gets three wrong in a row
Scenario
Mia is taking a practice quiz on synonyms. She gets three questions wrong in a row. She sighs, puts her pencil down, and thinks, “I am just terrible at reading. I’ll never pass this test.”
Step by step
- Mia is currently using a fixed mindset because she thinks she cannot improve.
- To change this, Mia needs to use her growth mindset.
- She picks her pencil back up and says, “I didn’t know these three words today, but now I can look them up and learn them for tomorrow!”
Takeaway
Mistakes are proof that you are trying and learning! Mia should treat wrong answers as a chance to grow, not a reason to quit.
Why this is correct
The SSAT is supposed to have some tricky questions! If you shift your attitude to a growth mindset, you train your brain to stay calm and curious instead of getting upset.
2
Worked example
Amin picks the wrong study spot
Scenario
Amin wants to do really well on his exam, so he decides he will study while sitting on the living room floor with the TV on loudly and his little brother playing with noisy toys right next to him. After 10 minutes, Amin feels completely distracted and hasn’t learned anything.
Step by step
- Amin realizes his current environment is not helping him focus.
- He remembers that good study habits require a good workspace.
- He moves to a quiet desk in his room, turns off all the screens, and asks his brother to play in the other room for 20 minutes.
Takeaway
Amin needs to create a quiet, distraction-free study zone to build a good habit.
Why this is correct
Your brain works best when it can focus on one thing at a time. A quiet study space is the most important study habit a Brain Athlete can build!
3
Worked example
Sam wakes up with butterflies
Scenario
It is the morning of the SSAT. Sam wakes up and feels a bunch of butterflies in his stomach. He is nervous and worried that he might forget everything he learned.
Step by step
- Sam recognizes that feeling nervous is totally normal before a big event.
- He uses a mindset trick: he takes three slow, deep breaths to calm his racing heart.
- He tells himself, “I have practiced hard, and I am ready to just do my best.”
Takeaway
Sam uses deep breathing and positive self-talk to calm his nervous butterflies.
Why this is correct
Nerves just mean that you care! By taking deep breaths and reminding yourself of your hard work, you can turn that nervous energy into focus and confidence.
Short review
Key points covered
- Your mindset is how you think about your abilities. We always want to use a growth mindset!
- Getting answers wrong is a good thing. It is how your brain learns and grows stronger.
- Study habits are the routines you build to help you focus, like finding a quiet space and taking breaks.
Important reminders
- You are a Brain Athlete! Training for the SSAT takes patience and a positive attitude.
- When things get tough, remember the word YET. “I don’t know this yet.”
Study tips
- Take a moment today to pick out a quiet, comfy spot in your house that will be your official SSAT Study Zone.
Keep up the great work!
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