Wondering what kinds of questions your child will be asked on the ISEE?
The Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) is a standardized test used by many independent and private schools for admission purposes. The ISEE test consists of four different levels: Primary, Lower, Middle, and Upper. Each level is designed to assess the skills and knowledge of students at a specific stage of their education. Here’s a detailed overview of each level, the types of questions asked, and tips for parents to help their child prepare for the test. The ISEE is developed and administered by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) and is designed to evaluate students’ skills and knowledge at various educational stages.
The ISEE helps to create a standardized benchmark for comparing students from diverse educational backgrounds, allowing schools to make more informed decisions during the admissions process. By assessing a student’s abilities in verbal and quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics achievement, and writing, the ISEE provides a comprehensive view of a student’s academic strengths and areas of growth.
In addition to its role in the admissions process, the ISEE can also be used by educators and parents to identify areas where a student may need additional support or enrichment. By pinpointing specific skill gaps, the ISEE can help guide personalized learning plans and interventions that address a student’s unique needs and abilities.
Watch this video about the ISEE test:
ISEE Primary Level:
The Primary Level of the ISEE is designed for students entering grades 2-4 and serves as an early assessment of a student’s foundational skills in reading, mathematics, and writing. The test is divided into three sections: Reading, Mathematics, and a Writing Sample. The Reading section focuses on reading comprehension, while the Mathematics section assesses basic mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills. The Writing Sample allows students to demonstrate their writing abilities in response to a given prompt. This level aims to provide a snapshot of a child’s academic potential and readiness for an independent or private school environment.
- Intended for students in grades 2-4
- Sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading, and Mathematics Achievement
- Test prep tips for parents:
- Verbal Reasoning: Focus on building vocabulary and understanding synonyms.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Practice basic math skills, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
- Reading: Encourage reading comprehension by discussing stories and asking questions about the plot, characters, and themes.
- Mathematics Achievement: Reinforce grade-level appropriate math concepts, including number sense, measurement, and geometry.
ISEE Lower Level:
The Lower Level ISEE is intended for students entering grades 5-6 and measures their verbal and quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics achievement, and writing skills. The test is designed to evaluate a student’s abilities and knowledge in relation to their current educational stage, ensuring that they are well-prepared for the academic challenges of middle school. The Lower Level ISEE provides valuable information to admissions committees about a student’s potential for success in an independent or private school setting.
- Intended for students in grades 5-6
- Sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and an Essay
- Tips for parents:
- Verbal Reasoning: Expand vocabulary by reading a variety of texts and using flashcards for new words.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Develop problem-solving skills by practicing word problems and mathematical reasoning exercises.
- Reading Comprehension: Enhance reading comprehension by summarizing and analyzing texts.
- Mathematics Achievement: Review grade-level math concepts, such as fractions, decimals, and basic algebra.
- Essay: Encourage clear, well-organized writing and practice brainstorming, outlining, and proofreading.
ISEE Middle Level:
The Middle Level ISEE is designed for students entering grades 7-8 and assesses their verbal and quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics achievement, and writing skills. This level aims to evaluate a student’s preparedness for the rigors of a challenging middle school curriculum in an independent or private school setting. The test focuses on a student’s critical thinking abilities, as well as their understanding of key concepts and skills in language arts and mathematics.
- Intended for students in grades 7-8
- Sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and an Essay
- Test prep tips for parents:
- Verbal Reasoning: Continue to expand vocabulary and practice understanding context clues.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Strengthen problem-solving and critical thinking skills with more complex math problems.
- Reading Comprehension: Practice analyzing different genres and identifying main ideas, themes, and inferences.
- Mathematics Achievement: Solidify understanding of advanced math concepts, such as algebraic expressions and geometric principles.
- Essay: Focus on developing strong essay-writing skills, including thesis statements, supporting evidence, and proper grammar and punctuation.
ISEE Upper Level:
The Upper Level ISEE is intended for students entering grades 9-12 and evaluates their verbal and quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics achievement, and writing skills. This level of the test is designed to measure a student’s readiness for the academic demands of high school in an independent or private school environment. The Upper Level ISEE focuses on a student’s ability to analyze and synthesize information, apply reasoning skills, and demonstrate a strong foundation in language arts and mathematics. The test provides valuable insights into a student’s potential for success in a challenging high school curriculum.
- Intended for students in grades 9-12
- Sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and an Essay
- Test prep tips for parents:
- Verbal Reasoning: Foster advanced vocabulary knowledge and comprehension of figurative language.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Encourage mastery of higher-level math concepts, including algebra, geometry, and statistics.
- Reading Comprehension: Promote critical reading and analysis of complex texts, including literature, history, and science.
- Mathematics Achievement: Ensure a strong foundation in advanced math topics, such as algebra II, trigonometry, and pre-calculus.
- Essay: Develop sophisticated essay-writing skills, focusing on structure, clarity, and persuasive argumentation.
The ISEE test is designed to evaluate students’ skills and knowledge at various educational stages. Parents can help their children prepare for the test by focusing on the specific skills required for each level and providing targeted practice and support. Regular exposure to practice questions and test-taking skills. Furthermore, the ISEE encourages students to develop strong study habits and critical thinking skills that will serve them well throughout their academic careers. The process of preparing for the ISEE fosters a growth mindset and promotes self-reflection, helping students understand their own learning strengths and weaknesses.
In summary, the ISEE test serves multiple purposes, including providing a standardized benchmark for independent and private school admissions, assisting in the identification of a student’s specific academic strengths and weaknesses, and promoting the development of essential study habits and critical thinking skills that will benefit students throughout their educational journey.
Here is a practice test above. Additionally, you can sign up for 100 free practice questions, including questions for the ISEE by clicking the button below:
ISEE Test Formats
The ISEE is offered in both online and traditional paper-based formats. The choice of format depends on the test location. Both versions have the same number of questions, the same time allotment, and give students the same chance to alter their answers within a specific test section.
Online Test
In this format, at all levels, the questions will appear on a testing device and students will select their multiple-choice answers on the same device. The essay part for the Lower, Middle, and Upper Levels will need to be typed out. The test site will provide scratch paper and pencils for any rough work.
Paper Test
For the Lower, Middle and Upper Levels, the questions will be given in a test booklet, and students will record their multiple-choice answers on a separate answer sheet using a #2 pencil. They can use the blank spaces in the test booklet as scratch paper. Students will write their essay on the answer sheet using a black or blue ballpoint pen. They can use erasable pens if they prefer. For the Primary 2, 3 and 4 levels, the questions will be in a booklet and students will mark their answers directly in the booklet using a #2 pencil. They can also use the blank spaces in the booklet for scratch work. Please note that there is no essay requirement for the ISEE Primary levels.
IMPORTANT: While the ISEE sample questions shown on this page are representative of what your child will see on the exam, they aren’t taken directly from the actual test that’s being administered this year.
If this pattern shown were to repeat itself, hat color would the 17th square be?