The ISEE: About the Test & How to Prepare
Learn everything you need to know about the ISEE, including the test’s format, question types, and scoring. Try some free sample questions and find out how Elm Academy can help your child feel prepared and confident on test day.
What is the ISEE?
The ISEE, or Independent School Entrance Examination, is a nationally standardized test developed by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) that is used by independent schools and magnets to assess students for admissions purposes. The test is offered to students entering grades 2-12, and is broken down into four testing levels:
- Primary. Entrance to grades 2-4
- Lower. Entrance to grades 5-6
- Middle. Entrance to grades 7-8
- Upper. Entrance to grades 9-12
At all levels, the ISEE contains five sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and a 30-minute essay. The test takes roughly 3 hours for the Middle and Upper levels, 2 and a half hours for the Lower level, and roughly one hour for the Primary level. At all testing levels, there are two five minute breaks: One after the Quantitative Reasoning section, and one after the Mathematics Achievement section. There are no penalties for incorrect answers on the ISEE, so students are encouraged to guess, even if they do not have an idea of what the answer is. No calculators, books, rulers, smartwatches, or mobile devices are allowed. Students should only bring a blue or black pen and #2 pencils to the exam room. They are also encouraged to bring a snack and water.
The ISEE is offered on specific dates, but students may only take it once per testing season. There are three testing seasons: Fall (August-November), Winter (December-March) and Spring/Summer (April-July). This means students may take the test up to three times in a school year. Students are encouraged to try again if they feel they didn’t perform well the first time around.
What are the Different ISEE Levels?
There are four levels of the ISEE. Time limits vary depending on the level, with the Primary level being further broken down by grade. The Primary level also includes an untimed writing section for all grades.
- Primary. Entrance to grades 2-4 (all grades get one 5-10 minute break)
- Entrance to 2nd Grade: 53 minutes
- Entrance to 3rd Grade: 54 minutes
- Entrance to 4th Grade: 60 minutes
- Lower. Entrance to grades 5-6: 2:20 with two 5-10 minute breaks
- Middle. Entrance to grades 7-8: 2:40 with two 5-10 minute breaks
- Upper. Entrance to grades 9-12: 2:40 with two 5-10 minute breaks
What Questions are on the ISEE?
The ISEE contains five sections at all levels: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and a 30-minute essay. Check out the sample questions below from each section.
ISEE Free Sample Questions
Verbal Reasoning
The Verbal Reasoning section of the test measures vocabulary and reasoning ability, and contains two question types: Synonyms and Sentence Completion. Synonyms questions will present a single word and ask you to choose the most similar word from the answer choices. Sentence Completion questions will present a sentence with a word missing, and ask to choose the word from the answer choices that best completes the sentence.
On the Lower level, this section takes 20 minutes and contains 34 questions. On the Middle and Upper levels, it takes 20 minutes and contains 40 questions.
Verbal Reasoning Sample Question
Below is a Sentence Completion sample question:
Amanda finally found a _____ to the problem that would make everyone happy.
a. cause
b. drawback
c. reward
d. solution
e. source
Answer: The correct answer is solution. By reading through the sentence, it is clear that Amanda was able to find something that would help solve the problem for everyone. The word solution means a way of solving a problem, making it the correct answer.
Quantitative Reasoning
The Quantitative Reasoning section focuses on six mathematical concepts:
- Numbers and Operations
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Measurement
- Data Analysis and
- Probability
- Problem Solving
On the Lower level, this section takes 35 minutes and contains 38 questions. On the Middle and Upper levels, the section takes 35 minutes and contains 37 questions.
Quantitative Reasoning Sample Question
Column A
14 x 11
Column B
300 ÷ 2
A. Column A is greater
B. Column B is greater
C. The two columns are equal
Answer: The correct answer is A. 14 x 11 is 154. In Column B, 300 ÷ 2 is 150. This makes Column A greater.
Reading Comprehension
The Reading Comprehension section presents students with reading passages, followed by questions. The passages cover a wide range of topics including history, literature, and science, and the questions focus on six main concepts:
- Main Idea
- Supporting Ideas
- Inference
- Vocabulary
- Organization/Logic
- Tone/Style/Figurative Language
On the Lower Level, there are 5 passages, each followed by 5 questions for a total of 25 questions. On the Middle and Upper Levels, there are 6 passages, each followed by 6 questions for 36 total questions.
Reading Comprehension Sample Question
Sample Passage
Renewable energy comes from natural sources that can be replenished, including sunlight, wind, water, and geothermal heat. Unlike fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil, renewable energy is always available. Additionally, fossil fuels have a much greater impact on the environment when compared to clean, renewable energy sources. As concerns about pollution and climate change continue to grow, it is more important than ever to invest in renewable energy sources.
Renewable energy sources like wind and solar power generate electricity without emitting any pollution into the atmosphere. In contrast, when fossil fuels are burned, they release harmful gasses that contribute to climate change. Moving away from fossil fuels and leaning into renewable energy sources will be better for our health and the environment.
There are many challenges that make adopting renewable energy difficult, including high costs and technological advancements, but the long term benefits are clear. Focusing our efforts on clean energy sources will help reduce our dependence on non-renewable resources and ensure a healthier planet for future generations to come.
What is the main idea of this passage?
a. Renewable energy sources, like wind and solar power, can be expensive
b. Burning fossil fuels can cause pollution and lead to climate change
c. Investing in renewable energy is essential despite its challenges
d. Fossil fuels are the best energy source for generating electricity
The correct answer is C. The passage clearly explains what renewable energy is and why it is important.
Mathematics Achievement
The Mathematics Achievement section of the test focuses on the same main principles as the Quantitative Reasoning section:
- Numbers and Operations
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Measurement
- Data Analysis and Probability
- Problem Solving
On the Lower level, this section takes 30 minutes and contains 30 questions. On the Middle and Upper levels, it takes 40 minutes and contains 47 questions.
Mathematics Achievement Sample Question
187.2 ÷ 6 = ?
a. 31.8
b. 21.2
c. 31.2
d. 24.6
e. 30.2
The correct answer is 31.2.
Essay
The last section of the test is the essay section. Students will be presented with a prompt at the start of the section and given 30 minutes to write. This section is not scored. However, the writing sample is sent to schools to which students are applying for review. Schools can also use this essay to compare it against other writing samples submitted during the application process to confirm the validity of the student’s work.
Sample Essay Prompt
What is one fictional character that you admire? Why do you admire this character?
What is a Good ISEE Score?
The ISEE is scored on a relative scale, meaning that your score is compared with the scores of other students who took the test. Students will then be given a percentile score, which is converted to a stanine score. Stanines range from 1-9, with 9 being the highest score. For example, a 9 corresponds to 96th-99th percentile, an 8 corresponds to 89th-95th percentile, and a 7 corresponds to the 77th-88th percentile. Generally, a score of 7 or higher, meaning scoring in the top 23%, will be high enough to get your child into a competitive school. However, this will vary from one school to the next.
When Will I Receive My ISEE Score?
You will be notified when your scores are available, and you will be able to view them at iseeonline.erblearn.org. If you took the exam online, you will receive your score report within 3-5 days. If you took the exam with paper and pencil, it may take up to two weeks to receive your score.
How to Prepare for the ISEE
The ISEE is a long and unique test that can influence your child’s academic career. It is important for your child to be as prepared as possible when going into the test. Elm Academy offers comprehensive courses, as well as one-on-one tutoring, to make sure your child is fully prepared for the ISEE.
Minimize stress – Standardized testing can be a stressful experience for children, especially younger students who aren’t familiar with tests of this type. ISEE preparation can help lessen the amount of stress your child feels and in turn maximize their test performance.
Become familiar with unique question types – As mentioned before, the types of questions on the ISEE are unique and unlikely to be anything your child has encountered before. By preparing with practice questions built in the same format as the ISEE questions, your child will be familiar with the style of the question and can focus on reasoning out the correct answer, rather than getting stumped trying to understand what’s being asked.
Simulate a test-taking experience – Completing such a long test with the pressure of a time limit can be difficult for anyone. By having previous experience with a timed, full-length test that mimics the ISEE’s testing environment, your child will be in a familiar place when they encounter the real test.
Read more about how to prepare for standardized tests.
Frequently Asked Questions About the ISEE
Is the ISEE a timed test?
Yes. Time limits vary depending on the grade level and the specific section of the test, but it takes roughly one hour to complete for the Primary level, and roughly two and a half hours for the Lower, Middle, and Upper levels.
Is the ISEE essay scored?
No. Rather than score the essay, it is sent to the school that your child is applying to. This way, rather than receiving a simple number, school admissions can spend time reading and assessing your child’s writing abilities. Additionally, they can use it to compare against other writing samples that may be submitted during the admissions process.
On the ISEE, should my child guess if they don’t know the answer?
Yes. There are no penalties for incorrect answers, so students are encouraged to guess, even if they have no idea what the answer is.
Can I use a calculator on the ISEE?
No calculators, books, rulers, smartwatches, or mobile devices are allowed. You should only bring a blue or black pen and #2 pencils with you to the exam room.
Can I retake the ISEE?
The ISEE is offered on specific dates, but students may only take it once per testing season. There are three testing seasons: Fall (August-November), Winter (December-March) and Spring/Summer (April-July). This means students may take the test up to three times in a school year. Students are encouraged to try again if they feel they didn’t perform well the first time around.
ISEE Tutoring
Elm Academy has partnered with Tannenbaum Tutors to offer one-on-one ISEE tutoring. Founder Jonathan Tannenbaum has worked with over 600 students, and has brought together a group of dedicated and attentive educators with expertise in all varieties of standardized testing.
Students who have worked with Tannenbaum Tutors have consistently seen huge test-day improvements. Based in New York, Tannenbaum Tutors offers in-person services for those in the region, as well as the option for online tutoring for students across the United States.
Contact Tannenbaum Tutors using the form below for a free 20 minute consultation.
