Varsity Tutors offers a comprehensive Houston ISEE prep course for students looking to improve their study skills in advance of their testing date. ISEE is an acronym for "Independent School Entrance Examination," a standardized test that some magnet and independent schools across the country use as one of many admission criteria. A good score does not guarantee anything but can be seen as one step forward in your student's pursuit of their academic potential.
The ISEE is available at four "levels" because it would be foolish to give a test-taker preparing for second grade the same exam as somebody entering high school. Students entering grades 2-4 take a Primary Level ISEE, those entering grades 5-6 take the Lower Level ISEE, those entering grades 7-8 take the Middle Level ISEE, and those entering high school take the Upper Level ISEE. Varsity Tutors offers a Houston ISEE class for each of these examinations, so trust us with their test prep today.
Which academic topics are generally covered in a Houston ISEE course?
The Lower, Middle, and Upper Level ISEEs follow the same core format of five sections. The Verbal Reasoning section contains 40 multiple-choice questions in just 20 minutes, so students need to move quickly if they hope to finish on time. Questions on the section consist primarily of sentence completions and synonyms to measure a test-taker's vocabulary. It isn't feasible to try to study every word in the English language, so students should not use a dictionary or thesaurus when studying for this section. Instead, they should study Greek and Latin word roots, how to use context to define unfamiliar terms, and common suffixes and prefixes to help them figure out what a word might mean. Reading can also be an effective way to improve a student's vocabulary without necessarily trying to.
The ISEE's Quantitative Reasoning portion stresses mathematical thinking over performing operations. Test-takers have 35 minutes to answer 37 multiple-choice questions on this section of the exam. Sample topics include addition and subtraction on the Lower Level ISEE, square roots and percentages on the Middle Level ISEE, and introductory statistics and algebra on the Upper Level ISEE.
The examination's Reading Comprehension section consists of 36 multiple-choice items based on grade-appropriate reading passages. All students are expected to be able to identify a main idea and its supporting details in a passage, evaluate a passage's structural logic, and determine what influence an author's intent may have had on the piece. Older students are also asked to draw inferences based on the material in a passage, compare and contrast works to one another, and incorporate literary genres into their analysis. If your student frequently loses focus during lengthy reading passages, taking notes as they go along may promote a more active engagement with the material. Test-takers have a total of 35 minutes to finish this section.
The test's Math Achievement component stresses the ability to actually perform mathematical operations. Test-takers have 40 minutes to answer 47 multiple-choice items on this section. Sample topics include decimals and fractions for Lower Level test-takers, ratios/proportions and prime factorization for Middle Level students, and statistics and graphing on the Upper Level ISEE.
The last of the ISEE's sections is an unscored Essay. A copy of a student's work is included with their application, allowing schools to assess their written communication skills and personality for themselves. While students are introducing themselves on this section, conventions of written English such as grammar and spelling are also important. Test-takers have half an hour to plan and compose their written piece, so composing an outline beforehand is recommended.
The Primary Level ISEE uses a completely different format than that described above. Students entering grades 2, 3, and 4 each take a special exam tailored to their level, designated by a numeral after the word "primary." For instance, a student entering third grade takes a test called the Primary 3. All three sections have age-appropriate multiple-choice sections in Math and Reading, and Primary 2 also has an Auditory Comprehension section to measure a young child's listening skills. All three tests finish with a picture-based writing prompt to give schools an idea of each applicant's organization and creative thinking abilities.
Why should I enroll the student in my life in a Houston ISEE course provided by Varsity Tutors?
Every Houston ISEE course we provide takes place on an exclusive online classroom called our live virtual platform. Students are free to interact with their teacher and their peers in real-time, making it feel as though everybody is in the same classroom even if you're separated by miles geographically. If your student needs help, all they have to do is raise their hand to receive assistance.
Each Houston ISEE class is also taught by an expert instructor, so you can count on your student receiving up-to-date information and strategies. Working with other students may also prove helpful. For example, group assignments can require a student to explain why they want to take a particular approach to a question, potentially leading to a greater grasp of the underlying material. Sharing a classroom also allows multiple students to share the associated expense, providing a greater value for your money than you could get elsewhere. If you ever feel like your student needs personalized assistance to master a particular concept, their classroom instructor is also available for extra help sessions outside of class meeting times.
Varsity Tutors also makes attending a class as easy as possible. We offer both two-week and four-week classes so that something works for even the busiest of students. We also launch brand new classes on a weekly basis, so we're ready whenever you are.
How do I sign my student up for a Houston ISEE course today?
You can use the contact info provided below to speak with a knowledgeable educational consultant and learn more about how to sign up for a Houston ISEE class. Varsity Tutors has helped countless students, and we eagerly await the opportunity to do the same for your student!
Bryan: Houston ISEE course instructor
...with students ranging from refugee children in middle school to full-time college students. I prefer tutoring students 1-on-1 because it allows me to devote all of my resources towards helping him/her. 1-on-1 tutoring also allows me to build a strong, personal relationship with my students. To me, this is important because it establishes a sense...
Education & Certification
- Rice University - Bachelors, Biological Sciences
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- ACT
- +52 subjects
Education & Certification
- Rice University - Bachelor in Arts, Biological and Physical Sciences
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- Test Prep
- Pre-Calculus
- +35 subjects
Sarah: Houston ISEE course instructor
...- whatever the student is learning. When a connection is made, we can bridge the gaps and make learning fun and lasting. Everyone can be a math person, everyone can love grammar, everyone can write a stellar paper. Every student is different, and every student can achieve success. In my free time I love running...
Education & Certification
- Vanderbilt University - Bachelor in Arts, Art History
- American University of Paris - Master of Arts, Communications
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR
- SSAT
- Reading
- +17 subjects
Megan: Houston ISEE course instructor
...from Baylor University, and minors in biology and biochemistry, I have a passion for all sciences. I spent 3 years as a supplemental instructor for chemistry students, which made me passionate about tutoring and teaching beyond Baylor. I love seeing the "Ah-Ha" moment in students and helping them reach their academic goals. Learning should be...
Education & Certification
- Baylor University - Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- CogAT
- ACT 8-Week Prep Class
- ACT 4-Week Prep Class
- +49 subjects
Nicole: Houston ISEE course instructor
...Science in Biology with Teaching Certification from The University of Texas at Austin. I am certified to teach Composite Science for grades 6 - 12 in Texas. I also have a Master of Education in School Counseling and have passed the National Counselor Examination. I have 21 years of experience in Education. For 14 years...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelor of Science, Biology Teacher Education
- Lamar University - Masters in Education, Counselor Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- STAAR EOC
- STAAR
- +89 subjects
Abigail: Houston ISEE course instructor
...Tulane University. I am currently a Masters student at the Hayward Center for Genetics and Genomics and my prior background is in Public Health and Tropical Medicine and English. Since graduation, I have worked as a PGT Coordinator at a PGT Laboratory, performing patient intake and communicating information regarding the PGT process. I am passionate...
Education & Certification
- Tulane University of Louisiana - Bachelor of Science, Public Health
- Tulane University of Louisiana - Master of Science, Genetics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Business
- Social Sciences
- Medical Ethics
- +91 subjects
Saad: Houston ISEE course instructor
...enjoy the most. I believe that to become an excellent tutor one must have a desire to assist students in the learning process, and this is one quality which I feel I definitely possess. I have been tutoring students ages from 10-24 and SAT for 5+ years. I know how to get a student well...
Education & Certification
- Prairie View A & M University - Current Undergrad, Mechanical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- PSAT
- GED
- +75 subjects
Rebecca : Houston ISEE course instructor
...A GPA and test scores. I have sympathy for those who need to put in that little extra work, because I was one of them. Consequently, I know how to teach students how to learn, comprehend, and memorize the things they need to succeed. If your goal is to learn better study skills, test taking...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelor of Science, Theater and Film
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Spanish
- Reading
- +22 subjects
Michael: Houston ISEE course instructor
...and I have a Bachelor's of Science degree from Texas A&M University in Genetics with a minor in English. I am also a native Spanish speaker with 17 hours of College level Spanish credit, and a 5 on the AP Spanish Language exam. I love taking time to help students understand content, and more importantly,...
Education & Certification
- The Texas AM University System Office - Bachelor of Science, Genetics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- TEAS
- GED
- STAAR EOC
- +118 subjects
Maria G.: Houston ISEE course instructor
...skills and the abilities needed to perform in a second language acquisition. During my first day of instruction, I will immerse my students in the Spanish-speaking cultures providing them access to art, music, literature, and film. There are more than 350 million native Spanish speakers worldwide and approximately 37 million are in the US. I...
Education & Certification
- Universidad del Valle de Mexico - Bachelor of Science, Manufacturing Engineering
- Houston Baptist University - Masters in Education, Curriculum and Instruction
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- CLEP
- A Level
- ACT
- +54 subjects
Keith: Houston ISEE course instructor
...for students, a highly motivated individual and I love math. I am currently a math teacher for Middle School and have several years of tutoring experience. I am a skilled numbers specialist and mathematician. One of my biggest success stories is that I helped tutor a young man who went back to school to get...
Education & Certification
- University of Mississippi - Bachelors, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- GED
- Math
- Middle School Math
- +11 subjects
Education & Certification
- University of Pennsylvania - Bachelors, Accounting and Finance
- University of Houston Law Center - PHD, Law
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ISAT
- CogAT
- ASPIRE
- +125 subjects
Katherine: Houston ISEE course instructor
...from my experience has been foremost, time management, but most important being able to distinguish which facts, data, and circumstances are important to identify in questions, case scenarios, and vignettes. Students often get trapped in the weeds and have difficulty identifying the key components in questions that are presented in regards to "What is the...
Education & Certification
- Hawaii Loa College- HPU - Bachelor of Science, Nursing (RN)
- University of Phoenix-Albuquerque CampusUniversity of Houston - Doctor of Education, Health Occupations Teacher Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- TEAS
- English
- Health Care Administration
- +15 subjects
Shaine: Houston ISEE course instructor
...a discipline developed through being required to use it in my professional life. The daily involvement with processing various types of figures slowly but surely piqued my curiosity. Therefore, I studied mathematics and achieved my bachelor's and master's in math. After a time, I began to work in high school as a math teacher. I...
Education & Certification
- Al-Zahra - Bachelor of Science, Mathematics Teacher Education
- Science and Research Branch Azad University - Master of Science, Mathematics Teacher Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- CLEP
- A Level
- +42 subjects
Princess: Houston ISEE course instructor
...a PC no longer demands of growing youths the reality of patience and persistence to get the result. I believe I have the drive and enthusiasm as a teacher to make learning fun and to foster a discovering of self-potential because of my subject knowledge, experience and wide background as well as the ability to...
Education & Certification
- Baylor University - Bachelor of Science, Health Sciences, General
- Drexel College of Medicine - Master of Science, Biomedical Sciences
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- ACT
- PSAT
- +60 subjects
Megan: Houston ISEE course instructor
...my philosophy is that learning should be fun, or at least as painless as possible. My background primarily involves helping liberal arts students experience math and science in a way that makes sense to them. In high school, I struggled with math and science classes and believed that I would never be good at them....
Education & Certification
- Associates Complete - Associate in Science, Mathematics
- The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelor in Arts, Applied Mathematics, Biology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- Writing
- Arithmetic
- +48 subjects
Steven: Houston ISEE course instructor
...graduate with degrees in civil engineering and biomedical engineering. I have always been an avid book reader and math lover - I love to tutor in math, English/ Reading, and physics, and also have experience in test prep. When teaching I believe in keeping things simple and adding interesting tidbits so that students will want...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Engineering
- University of Houston - Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT
- English
- +32 subjects
Andre: Houston ISEE course instructor
...to work with you toward the success of your assessment. As a 15 year veteran to education, I have been involved in many different facets of standardized tests, assessments, and preparation for college. As a current doctoral student, I have pledged myself to become a lifelong learner and I hope that you will too!... duplicate... Discover what the student's interests are and what motivates them about learning. Use that to build a base and establish a relationship so that learning will be easier from that point.
Education & Certification
- Eastern Illinois University - Bachelors, Political Science/Pre-Law
- Lamar University - Masters, Educational Leadership
- Concordia University-Ann Arbor - Current Grad, Educational Leadership
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- ACT
- PSAT
- +55 subjects
Stacie: Houston ISEE course instructor
...is helping others learn and understand. I love learning new things myself, but nothing compares to the sense of accomplishment and purpose that comes with helping others do the same. I take great pride in developing individualized tutoring programs for my students based on their specific needs and goals. I previously taught high school for...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Arlington - Bachelors, English
- Texas AM University - Commerce - Current Grad Student, Secondary Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT
- ASPIRE
- +134 subjects
Ashton: Houston ISEE course instructor
...chance to succeed. Some students simply need more tools than others. Thankfully, tutoring is an amazing way to provide these tools. I worked as a high school and middle school special education para for three years, and I have begun my first year teaching college English. I have learned to become very patient and adaptable...
Education & Certification
- Mary Baldwin University - Bachelor in Arts, Creative Writing
- Regis University - Master of Arts, Creative Writing
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- HSPT
- ACT
- SHSAT
- +73 subjects