ISEE
What is the ISEE?
The ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) is a private school admissions requirement. The ISEE Lower Level exam is for students applying to grades 5 and 6. It runs for a total of 2 hours and 20 minutes plus two 5 to 10 minute breaks. The ISEE Middle Level test is for students applying to grades 7 and 8. It runs for a total of 2 hours and 40 minutes plus two 5 to 10 minute breaks. The ISEE Upper Level test is for students applying to grades 9 through 12. It also runs for a total of 2 hours and 40 minutes plus two 5 to 10 minute breaks.
The exam is either on paper or computer. The paper version is done on a fill in the bubble answer sheet and a handwritten essay. The online version has students select their answers on the screen and type their essay.
The ISEE is scored without a penalty for guessing. Scores are based only on a student’s correct answers. Student test scores are compared only to the scores of other students at the same grade level.
How does the ISEE work?
The ISEE test consists of 5 sections with 4 of the sections consisting of all multiple choice questions. They are:
- Verbal Reasoning (Lower Level 34 questions/20 minutes and Middle Level & Upper Level 40 questions/20 minutes)
- Quantitative Reasoning (Lower Level 38 questions/35 minutes and Middle Level & Upper Level 37 questions/35 minutes)
- Reading Comprehension (Lower Level 25 questions/25 minutes and Middle Level & Upper Level 36 questions/35 minutes)
- Mathematics Achievement (Lower Level 30 questions/30 minutes and Middle Level & Upper Level 47 questions/40 minutes)
- Essay Writing Prompt (All levels are timed for 30 minutes). The written essay is not scored, however a copy of it is sent to the private schools to thoroughly examine during the admissions process.
How can Y3K Tutor In Your Home’s ISEE tutoring help?
Often there are subjects on the test that students haven’t been taught yet. With our one-on-one ISEE test preparation, students will master:
- Reading comprehension test taking techniques
- Important vocabulary
- Synonyms and sentence completion strategies using vocabulary
- Review of current math and old math concepts needed for test questions
- New math concepts taught in higher grade levels appearing on the test
- Multiple choice test taking methods
- How test answer choices are designed to trick students
- Focusing techniques
- How to make educated guesses using elimination strategies
- Stamina to sit through an almost 3 hour exam
- Time management/pacing strategies to finish all questions
- Essay writing skills