The Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE)

The ISEE is used for admission to many independent elementary, middle, and high schools.
While the test format is relatively consistent, three versions of the ISEE are offered to students in different grades:
- Lower Level is for students currently in grades 4-5
- Middle Level is for students currently in grades 6-7
- Upper Level is for students currently in grades 8-11

Test Calendar

The ISEE is given frequently throughout the year.
Nonetheless, students are permitted to take the ISEE only once every six months.
For admissions purposes, schools typically consider the administrations in October, November, December, and January of the school year prior to the intended matriculation date.

Test Format

Section	Number of Questions	Minutes per Section	Content
Verbal Reasoning	40	20 (Lower Level has 25)	Synonyms and vocabulary-based sentence completions
Quantitative Reasoning	35	35	Arithmetic, basic algebra, and basic geometry
Reading Comprehension	40 (Lower Level has 36)	40	Passage-based critical reading
Math Achievement	45 (Lower Level has 35)	40	Arithmetic, basic algebra, and basic geometry
Essay	1	30	Student-produced response to a given topic

Test Scoring

The Verbal, Quantitative, Reading, and Math sections are each scored on a scale of 750 to 950. Also assigned to these scores are percentile ranks and stanines. Stanines are another ranking system in which the numbers 1-3 roughly represent below average, 4-6 average, and 7-9 above average.
The Essay is not scored but rather sent to schools along with the ISEE score report.
Unlike the SSAT, the ISEE does not deduct points for incorrect answers, so students should not leave any answers blank.

Our Approach

Content of Program

The program begins with a diagnostic test that provides younger students with an introduction to the ISEE in particular and the requirements of standardized testing in general. Initially, our instruction focuses on the logic and academic substance of the test, with close attention to how the content overlaps with and diverges from the student's coursework at school. Tutors teach and review verbal reasoning skills, math concepts and algorithms, critical reading methods, and mnemonics to learn recurrent vocabulary. As the program progresses and their official test date nears, students learn to apply this knowledge as well as specific test-taking strategies through drills, homework, and timed practice tests.

Length of Program

Students typically start preparing for the ISEE several months before they intend to take the official test. Diagnostic test results and other considerations allow us to design an appropriate program for the individual student.

An Additional Option: the SSAT

Many students preparing for the ISEE also prepare for and take the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT).
The two tests are produced by different testing agencies for slightly different purposes: the SSAT is a 50-year-old national test associated with boarding school admissions, while the ISEE is a newer, more regional test associated with private school admissions. Overall, however, the tests are similar in content and in purpose.
Some independent schools accept either test, but many schools insist on one or the other.
Thus, students must be sure to check the specific admissions requirements at the schools to which they are applying.

Further Information

For additional information about preparing and registering for the ISEE, please follow the link below:
http://www.erbtest.org.