If you've got a student who's gearing up for the ISEE, they may benefit from talking to Varsity Tutors about our Boulder ISEE prep courses. The ISEE, or Independent School Entrance Examination, is used by independent and magnet schools to assess prospective students. The test comes in several configurations and covers a lot of academic material, so it can be tough to figure out how to begin preparing. Plus, as the test may be a factor in determining your student's chances of getting into their preferred schools, you may be feeling stressed about how to get them prepared for test day. A Boulder ISEE course can help students come to grips with the content knowledge they'll need to strive for success on the ISEE, and can also get them acclimated to the structure of the test and what test-taking strategies they can employ.
A Boulder ISEE class is taught in an online classroom where your student will participate in teacher-led group discussions alongside other students. Online attendance makes these classes easily accessible, even if you and your student have packed schedules. There are also many class times available, so whether you're looking for night classes, weekend classes, or something else, we can provide options for your lifestyle. And with 2-week and 4-week class sections available, and new classes starting every week, we can an offer your student direction no matter when they're planning on taking the test and how much preparation time they've got left.
What will a Boulder ISEE course teach my student?
The ISEE comes in several different configurations. If your student is applying for 2nd through 4th grade admission, they'll be taking the Primary Level test. The Lower Level ISEE correlates to the 5th and 6th grades, the Middle Level the 7th and 8th, and the Upper Level is for all students entering the 9th grade and above. We'll provide a summary of each of these tests here, to give you an idea of what your student will be studying in an ISEE course.
The Upper, Middle, and Lower Level tests all use a similar format, with sections covering Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Math Achievement, and an Essay section. At the Upper Level, Verbal Reasoning asks students to understand the use of synonyms, context clues, word roots, suffixes and prefixes. Quantitative Reasoning is intended to evaluate students' mathematical thinking skills and asks questions involving problem-solving, probability, and data analysis, drawing on a variety of concepts from algebra and geometry. The Reading Comprehension section will ask students to read passages and be able to draw out the important information, as well as extrapolate non-explicit information. Math Achievement focuses on math operations and will ask students to solve equations involving variables, exponents, the properties of triangles and quadrilateral shapes, coordinate grids, and more. The Essay section isn't graded on any level of the ISEE, but it is provided to schools as an example of a student's writing abilities and gives them a chance to get to know the student. Upper Level students will want to show an ability to write an interesting and well-organized piece of work that uses proper grammar and spelling.
Much of the Middle Level test is similar to the Upper Level, but the expectations of the test are adjusted appropriately. On the Middle Level ISEE, Verbal Reasoning will ask vocabulary questions appropriate to middle school to high school level students. Quantitative Reasoning will involve measurement problems that will draw on geometry and data analysis skills. Reading Comprehension will ask students to read passages, answer questions and understand figurative language. Math Achievement will require knowledge of prime factorization, estimation and proportions, Venn Diagrams, and working with geometric shapes. The Essay will provide a prompt appropriate to middle school students.
At the Lower Level, Verbal Reasoning will cover elementary to middle school level vocabulary and will ask students to use context to complete sentences. Quantitative Reasoning will ask students to be able to make comparisons and estimations and to understand the logic of mathematics. Reading Comprehension will expect students to understand how to locate main arguments of passages, and use information to answer questions. Math Achievement covers simple algebra and geometry operations. The Essay section is similar to other sections, but the prompt will again be adjusted to be interesting to elementary school students.
The Primary Level ISEE is a little different. There are multiple choice Math and Reading sections, which will assess students on their basic math skills and reading comprehension respectively, as well as a Writing section where students are given a picture prompt and asked to write a story in response. The 2nd grade ISEE also includes an Auditory Comprehension section where students will listen to and respond to passages that are delivered aloud.
How can a Boulder ISEE class help my student prepare?
Regardless of what level of the ISEE your student will be taking, a Boulder ISEE course can bring them into conversation with other students at their level, with group discussion classes taught by an expert instructor who has undergone a rigorous interview process. These discussions will take place in an online classroom, where students will see, hear, and speak with their peers and their instructor just as if they were taking a course at a brick-and-mortar institution, but with some added benefits. Your student will be able to study wherever they find themselves most productive and can find a course that fits neatly into their schedule. In a group course, your student will be able to talk through content and test-taking strategies with other students who are planning on taking the ISEE, which can expose them to new learning methods and ways of understanding material. They'll also be able to share their own knowledge with the class, which can strengthen their own understanding and may make them feel more assured going into the test.
There are of course definite advantages to private instruction as well. That's why a Boulder ISEE course will let your student reserve extra time to spend one-on-one with their instructor, to make sure that they can be confident in their abilities, even in sections they feel they need to spend more work brushing up on. The entire structure of the course is intended to provide a wealth of opportunities for success, from how it's scheduled to how it's presented to the learning opportunities it aims to give your student.
How can I get my student signed up?
Varsity Tutors is offering Boulder ISEE courses at a variety of times that can fit most any schedule. If you contact us today, we can get you enrolled and can also provide more information about what the course will cover, how it will be taught, and the benefits your student may see. As the ISEE is focused on fundamental elements of primary and secondary school education, an ISEE prep course can provide benefits for your student even after the test is over and done with and can help them build test-taking confidence that may pay off for years to come. Reach out to Varsity Tutors and make an investment in the future of your child's education.
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Ari: Boulder ISEE course instructor
Hi! My name's Ari and I've been tutoring math and physics for over 10 years. I really enjoy working with students and helping them to understand a subject I find very interesting. I'm happy to help with material from elementary algebra through multi-variable calculus.
Education & Certification
- University of California-Santa Cruz - Bachelor of Science, Applied Physics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
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Jim: Boulder ISEE course instructor
...regarding career, family, and personal attainment. I discovered that at an early age and feel that I have been a beneficiary: as a father and husband; an historian, financial analyst and banker; a teacher, mentor, tutor and friend. Thats my approach as a tutor: listen carefully and understand my student; respect their learning style and...
Education & Certification
- Princeton/Empire State College - Bachelor in Arts, History & Social Theory
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Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Shannon: Boulder ISEE course instructor
...every student learns in the same way, so it is up to teachers and tutors to help students discover how they learn best. It is often hard to find this out in a classroom of 25 or more students, but with a tutor, students can often find out how they can become lifelong learners and...
Education & Certification
- Colorado State University - Bachelors, English
- Grand Canyon University - Masters, Elementary Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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JoAnn: Boulder ISEE course instructor
...hands in the teaching process. Without knowledge, one cannot make informed choices. Without informed choices, one cannot solve problems. If students are not taught to be problem-solvers then they lack empowerment and self-awareness. My main goal as a teacher is to instill a sense of empowerment and self-awareness through Literature and the Language Arts in...
Education & Certification
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Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Steph: Boulder ISEE course instructor
...teacher at Western Washington University. I am here to help you achieve your math goals. I am patient, experienced, and have a gift for explaining tricky mathematical concepts. I am pretty well-versed in all things math up through college level. Calculus, Precalculus, Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, GRE, SAT Please contact me so we can get the...
Education & Certification
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Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Megan: Boulder ISEE course instructor
...am passionate about reading and writing! I'm currently getting my BA is creative writing and working on my fourth novel under the watchful eye of my bull terrier, Wookie. Reading and writing doesn't have to be a challenge! I'm excited to share my passion for learning with my students, and to help make the journey...
Education & Certification
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Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Jim: Boulder ISEE course instructor
...well oiled classroom is imperative when you're in charge of 30+ students. The downside, however, is that some of those students will slip through the cracks if they are not given enough attention. Upon earning my degree in English Education at Illinois State University, I realized after my first year of teaching that most students...
Education & Certification
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Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Doug: Boulder ISEE course instructor
...disabilities, including dyslexia and ADHD. Many of my students are both intellectually gifted and have a learning disability. I have a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Michigan. I have taught college courses in psychology and organizational behavior, and recently received a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Northern Colorado. I...
Education & Certification
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Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Keith: Boulder ISEE course instructor
...Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. My passion for learning continues as I am currently pursuing a PhD in Systems and Engineering Management. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about Mathematics, Computers, Business, and Continuous Improvement initiatives. In my experience, helping share my knowledge with others has been very...
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Melissa: Boulder ISEE course instructor
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Education & Certification
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Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Janine: Boulder ISEE course instructor
...Oregon on the North Coast of the Pacific. I have 18 months experience doing on line tutoring with Varsity Tutors and 30 years of face to face teaching and tutoring experience. I chose to work as an independent contractor with Varsity because they provide the best tutor supports. I am a trained and certified Wilson...
Education & Certification
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Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Pamela: Boulder ISEE course instructor
...Science), I have uncovered a love not only for academic topics I learned, but for teaching those topics to those around me. Most recently, I was a Teaching Assistant for a watershed course at Colorado State University, in which I enjoyed leading laboratory sessions and working through problem sets with undergraduate students. I have a...
Education & Certification
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Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Jay: Boulder ISEE course instructor
...completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Colorado. I have a Bachelor's in Biology and performed well on both the ACT and the DAT. Much of my tutoring experience comes from helping my friends in college with homework assignments and exams. As an aspiring dentist, I love helping others. I look forward to helping...
Education & Certification
- University of Colorado Boulder - Bachelor in Arts, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Kevin: Boulder ISEE course instructor
I very much enjoy helping students build confidence in themselves as they achieve their learning goals. I love learning new things that I can then teach others. I like to build up a variety of subjects that I enjoy teaching.
Education & Certification
- Luther College - Bachelor in Arts, Anthropology
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Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Lizzie: Boulder ISEE course instructor
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Education & Certification
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Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Kathy: Boulder ISEE course instructor
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Education & Certification
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- University of Colorado Denver - Master of Arts, Curriculum and Instruction
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Janice: Boulder ISEE course instructor
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Education & Certification
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- Denver University - Master of Arts, Curriculum/Edcation
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Pat: Boulder ISEE course instructor
...I enjoy working with students from preschool to adults. I have taught early childhood special needs to women who are transitioning from prison into the work world. I am fascinated with the learning styles that determine how someone interprets their world. Living to learn is my mantra. Every week brings new fascinating experiences. I look forward...
Education & Certification
- The University of Northern Colorado - Bachelors, Elementary Education/ Special Ed Early Childhood
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Kelsey: Boulder ISEE course instructor
...her B.A. in Psychology from Cornell University in 2013, where she earned Distinction in All Subjects, she earned a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Food Science at Montclair State University before going on to study her Master's of Business & Science in Analytics at Rutgers University. As a lifelong student, she loves tutoring...
Education & Certification
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Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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Brianna: Boulder ISEE course instructor
...Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing Analytics and a minor in Mathematics. I have worked with kids of all ages, ranging from elementary school to college students through various subjects. I have also worked extensively with special needs children, doing everything from teaching special education to one-on-one in-home mentoring. Through my experiences, I have...
Education & Certification
- University of Richmond - Current Undergrad, Business Administration and Management
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT 4-Week Prep Class
- ASPIRE
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