If your student is thinking about attending a certain private or independent school, then they can use some assistance with a Varsity Tutors ISEE preparation service. You may already know how effective ISEE test prep can be if you've ever looked up "ISEE help near me" online. The Independent School Entrance Exam, or ISEE, is a test independent and private schools use to see if prospective students can handle their rigorous coursework. Do you feel that your student can benefit from ISEE tutoring? Then please reach out to us to learn more about our ISEE test preparation services.
Why Take the ISEE Exam?
The Independent School Entrance Examination is commonly taken by elementary, middle, and high school students who are applying to competitive private schools. The point of the exam is to give these schools a chance to assess the academic skill sets of the students who are applying there. Earning a strong ISEE score could make your child a more attractive candidate for admission at the school they're most interested in attending. That's why having a strong ISEE test prep plan is important in the lead up to your student's upcoming exam. If you'd like to get your student some extra help with their study plan, you don't need to look up "ISEE tutoring near me" online. Instead, you can easily get started with your child's own ideal ISEE test prep plan by contacting Varsity Tutors today.
ISEE Exam Eligibility Requirements
There are few requirements that your student must satisfy before they can sign up to take the ISEE. It is, however, important that you register them for their test day early because they can fill up quickly. Getting your student signed up for their preferred exam day early can give you the peace of mind that they're on track to take their test by the time it's required to complete the admissions process at the private school they're applying to.
You can easily sign your child up to take the ISEE by visiting the Educational Records Bureau's registration web page. When you're doing this, make sure that you're signing your student up for the correct exam level. Doing this will avoid any delays associated with having to change the test your student is signed up to take at the last minute.
The ISEE is an easy exam to sign up for because of its lack of restrictive eligibility requirements. Outside of the considerations listed above, you should have no problem signing your student up to take the ISEE test they need in order to complete their private school application process. If you'd like help with the test registration process or want to learn more about ISEE requirements, consider reaching out to Varsity Tutors today.
Breaking Down the ISEE Exam
The ISEE exam has four levels: primary level (2nd-4th grade), lower level (5th-6th grade), middle level (7th-8th grade), and upper level (9th-12th grade). Each level comes with tests with multiple-choice questions that cover mathematics and reading topics, plus a writing prompt. (Students taking the primary level exam have to do a picture prompt instead of a writing prompt.) If your student is entering the 5th or 6th grade, here are some specific topics they need to know when taking the ISEE Lower Level exam:
- Vocabulary
- Sentence completion
- Quantitative word problems
- Identifying the main idea of a reading passage
- Drawing conclusions from a reading passage
- Numbers and operations
- Geometry
- Algebra
Is your student applying to a private or independent high school? Below are the details of the ISEE Upper Level exam:
ISEE Upper Level Sections |
# Questions |
Time Allowed (in minutes) |
Verbal Reasoning |
40 |
20 |
Quantitative Reasoning |
37 |
35 |
Reading Comprehension |
36 |
35 |
Math Achievement |
47 |
40 |
Essay |
1 Writing Prompt |
30 |
Whether your student needs to take the lower, middle, or upper level ISEE exam, they'll be asked to complete the same five test sections that are listed in the above table. However, the content of these sections may vary depending on your student's test level. Below, you'll find a brief look at what your student can expect to find in each of these test sections.
The first section of the ISEE exam, Verbal Reasoning, consists primarily of vocabulary questions. Thus, your student will need to have a strong understanding of vocabulary in order to do well on this part of the test. ISEE test prep assistance from Varsity Tutors can help your student build up their vocabulary if they could use some help with it.
The next exam section is called Quantitative Reasoning. This section consists mostly of math word problems. Again, signing up for ISEE test prep help from Varsity Tutors is a great way to get your student help with developing this skill set. Third, your student will also be asked to complete a Reading Comprehension test section. Here, they'll be asked to read complex passages and then demonstrate their understanding of those reading passages by answering a series of multiple-choice questions about the passages. The fourth and final multiple-choice section covers the topic of Math Achievement. This section will ask your student to solve math problems based on mathematics topics they would've learned about at their grade level.
Finally, your student will also be asked to complete an Essay while taking their ISEE exam. This test section, however, is not graded. Instead, your student's essay will be sent to the admissions directors at the schools they apply to. A strong ISEE essay is a great chance for your child to show off their writing abilities. It could influence the admission committee's final decision on your student's application as well. If your student could use some help with their writing skills, then ISEE test prep may be a good option.
As detailed above, the ISEE is a wide-ranging, comprehensive standardized exam. Even if your child already excels in most of the topics they'll be tested on, it can be very beneficial to have a refresher before utilizing their academic skill set on this important test. If you think your child would benefit from working with an ISEE test prep expert, then you don't need to search online for "ISEE test prep near me". Instead, consider reaching out to Varsity Tutors today. You can learn more about the various ISEE test prep options that you can choose from in the following section.
Varsity Tutors Can Help Your Student Study
You have a few different ISEE prep options to consider when deciding which one you'd like your child to pursue. The ISEE courses that you ultimately sign them up for should reflect their learning style and academic needs. You can get an in-depth look at each ISEE prep option by continuing to read below, or by speaking with an educational director today.
The first ISEE prep option you may be interested in for your child is private ISEE tutoring. Signing up for ISEE tutoring may be the right option for your student if they've previously done well when working directly with their educator. ISEE tutors offer the chance to get personalized feedback throughout the entire ISEE preparation process. Your student's ISEE tutors can set them up with a customized ISEE preparation plan that takes their specific needs into account. Your child will be able to work through each of these ISEE prep sessions at their own speed, stopping to get additional guidance from their ISEE prep instructor whenever they need it.
In our ISEE classes, your student receives one-on-one attention with an instructor who's an expert in their field. These ISEE tutors are knowledgeable in reading and math topics, so your student can ask them for assistance on anything that's troubling them. The personalization that your student will receive through their ISEE prep process could help them to create a more efficient ISEE test preparation plan.
What's great about our ISEE courses is that they assist gifted students. Maybe your student is studying for an ISEE Middle Level Exam, even though they're younger than the average junior high pupil. These ISEE class instructors are more than happy to nurture bright minds by helping them study challenging material. Does your student struggle with staying on task? In an ISEE course, a tutor can try to assist them with focusing on their studies by giving them handy time management advice. A tutor can also customize an ISEE prep session to suit your student's personal learning style. Pupils in our ISEE test prep programs can request a tutor to read a passage aloud or use slides if they feel it helps them absorb information better. We love the fact that our ISEE prep services can assist young students in several ways.
Another ISEE prep option you may want to consider is signing your student up for a small group-based ISEE class. This ISEE prep resource gives your child the chance to learn from an expert educator alongside a small group of peers. Taking an ISEE class may be right for your student if they've previously found success in the traditional classroom learning environment. In fact, ISEE classes combine the best of two different worlds. Your student will get all of the benefits of traditional ISEE classes with the convenience of online learning when they sign up to take a group ISEE course.
In fact, each of our ISEE test preparation options are flexible. We make every effort to connect you with an educator who is able to work around your child's schedule. This ensures that they can get the help they need preparing for their upcoming exam without having to worry about making any sacrifices in the other important parts of their lives. You can even sign your student up for an ISEE course that fits neatly into your own schedule.
Scoring the Independent School Entrance Examination
The ISEE has a percentile-based scoring system. This means that your student will earn both a raw score and a percentile rank for each test section they complete. For instance, if your child's raw score in their Math Achievement section was better than 80% of the other students who took the same level ISEE exam, they would earn an 80th percentile ranking for that section. This grading style was designed to give admissions committees a chance to see how the students who apply to their school compare to one another.
The majority, about 54%, of students who take the ISEE end up earning a percentile score somewhere between the 40th and 70th percentiles. Comparatively, about 23% of students score between the 1st and 30th percentiles. The same number, 23%, also score between the 70th and 90th percentiles. Taking ISEE courses can help your student develop the skills they need to be more confident while taking each part of the ISEE. If you think your student would benefit from ISEE courses, then consider contacting us today.
Getting Started
Like any standardized exam, taking the ISEE can be a challenging thing to do. However, your student doesn't have to go through the test preparation process alone. Instead, why not let Varsity Tutors help them get more out of their study sessions with the test preparation plan of their choice? We'd love to use our expertise in the test preparation industry to help your student feel more confident on the day of their exam.
If your student is approaching high school and wants to review anything for test, an ISEE test prep tutor is at their side to help them study. Your student can time themselves with a practice writing prompt or have an instructor drill them on math problems. Rather than spending time online looking up "ISEE help near me", you can easily get your child started with their own ideal test preparation plan by connecting with Varsity Tutors today.
Whatever the age of your student, the lessons they may learn in an ISEE prep program won't just help them now; they could benefit them greatly in the future, especially if they want to pursue higher education. Our ISEE test prep programs are all online, so your student doesn't need to leave home to engage in lessons. To get more information about our ISEE prep services, please contact Varsity Tutors today. Representatives are standing by to assist you in signing your student up for an ISEE test prep program.

Samantha: ISEE test prep instructor
...literature, and writing. I have also continued to help many high school seniors with college application essays. While I tutor a variety of subjects, I am very passionate about helping students improve their reading and writing skills, and I really enjoy helping students with Critical Reading and Writing portions of Standardized Tests. I love working with students and helping them realize their full academic potential. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, exploring Chicago, reading,...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Current Undergrad, Political Science & Legal Studies
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- SAT
- SSAT
- +36 subjects

Kaley: ISEE test prep instructor
...as a classroom teacher and a tutor and in these roles I look for ways to make learning fun and rewarding. I especially love teaching reading and writing and I have taught or tutored these subjects to students ranging from kindergarten through adults. I also have experience tutoring test prep subjects and focus both on the content material and test taking skills. My passion is psychology and I have been able to use my graduate...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Bachelors, Education and Public Policy
- Harvard Graduate School of Education - Masters, Human Development and Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- SAT
- PSAT
- +35 subjects

Max: ISEE test prep instructor
...NJ. This year, I'm taking two semesters off from school to sing and travel the entire world with the Yale Whiffenpoofs, America's oldest collegiate a cappella singing group. Apart from singing, I'm is passionate about education, particularly in helping high school students achieve their academic goals as they work their way towards college. I volunteer in New Haven as a math teacher and coach at a public middle school (my team of 7th graders just...
Education & Certification
- Yale University - Current Undergrad, Economics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- Advanced Placement
- PSAT
- +104 subjects

Connor: ISEE test prep instructor
...endless pursuit of knowledge, as well as my strong interpersonal communication skills. With proper guidance, every student possesses the ability to grasp even the most complex of topics, and I have built my tutoring career on this premise. As an experienced tutor, I have continually enjoyed seeing my students achieve lofty goals under my instruction. I specialize in tutoring biology, chemistry, physics, and economics for high school students. In addition to this, I also tutor...
Education & Certification
- Saint Louis University-Main Campus - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- HSPT
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- SSAT
- +43 subjects

Joshua: ISEE test prep instructor
...writing is a hobby of mine. My philosophy is that even when we are preparing for a standardized exam, we should always be relating the work to your passions, pursuits, and educational goals to make the work that much more meaningful. In my spare time, you'll often find me learning bits of new languages for fun or writing. I am currently fluent in English and French, conversational in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, and can read...
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Bachelor in Arts, French and Francophone Studies
- University of Pennsylvania - Master of Science, Social Policy
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- SSAT
- GED
- +92 subjects

Margarita: ISEE test prep instructor
...and I plan on beginning medical school in the fall of 2015. Since graduation, I have been working part-time in a dermatologist office as a Medical Assistant and part-time on a public health project related to smoking cessation. I have also been tutoring students in a variety of subjects. I have been tutoring students since I was in 7th grade, and my favorite subject to tutor is math. My family is originally from Russia, and...
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +55 subjects

Erica: ISEE test prep instructor
...love to guide a student who initially struggled to meet and exceed expectations! Outside of my direct work with students, I have coordinated a math tutoring program that placed K-12 math tutors into local public schools. I have also served as a Crisis Services Supervisor at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS). At NRS, I was able to support volunteers in providing trauma-informed services to runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth. I look forward to meeting you...
Education & Certification
- Oberlin College - Bachelor in Arts, English; Latin Language and Literature
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- SAT
- PSAT
- +77 subjects

Brianna: ISEE test prep instructor
...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 continued to carry my passion for working with children and have developed my skills in making successful and individualized learning fun. Math, science and test prep are the subjects I'm particularly passionate about tutoring, as I've always loved those subjects myself. Additionally, I've worked extensively with adults on business skills, marketing and...
Education & Certification
- University of Richmond - Current Undergrad, Business Administration and Management
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- SAT 8-Week Prep Class
- SAT Subject Tests
- +217 subjects

Joscelyn: ISEE test prep instructor
...to cover so I can come prepared with examples. The students who usually benefit the most from working with me are those who care about doing well in class and want to learn. I like to engage with my students and make session not a dread for them - but I want them to engage back too! Since graduating I worked for two of the largest e-commerce companies in supply chain/logistics management, and now I'm...
Education & Certification
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick - Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- CogAT
- REGENTS
- +96 subjects

Abigail: ISEE test prep instructor
Hey there! My name is Abi and I'm excited to tutor you in a number of subjects including pre-algebra, writing, critical reading, and standardized test preparation. I have much experience writing speeches & editing papers/articles (as Debate Captain, Newspaper Editor-in-Chief & Model UN captain), in addition to regular school tutoring. Looking forward to learning together!
Education & Certification
- Barnard College - Current Undergrad Student, Slavic Studies
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- SSAT
- ISAT
- +71 subjects

Lena: ISEE test prep instructor
...satisfying to share my passion for learning with others. From 2011 through 2013, I tutored middle school students in the Oakland Public School system through the Partners Program. From 2014 to 2015, I was employed as a private tutor for students both in middle school and in high school. Over the last year I have tutored international high school students online in test preparation, as well as various academic subjects. I have more informal teaching...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Current Undergrad, Political Science and Environmental Studies
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- +45 subjects

Rena: ISEE test prep instructor
...school. I tutored students in kindergarten up to eighth grade in all subjects. Not only did I help them with their homework but I also prepared them for upcoming tests and gave them study skills that would carry them through the entirety of their academic career. I view tutoring as a way to enhance the student's learning experience so that what they take away from school is not just memorized facts but knowledge and education...
Education & Certification
- Rutgers University-New Brunswick - Current Undergrad, Urban Planning and Design
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- TACHS
- SSAT
- SAT
- +30 subjects

Anne: ISEE test prep instructor
...Before arriving to my current career choice of physical therapy, I did architecture, visual arts, I studied languages (Swedish and Russian, which I now speak fluently), took subjects in the humanities and the sciences, became a Pilates instructor, and also played drums and wrote music professionally! As a result, I can truly get in the mindset of a student who is learning something - NO question is out-of-bounds or silly - it all comes from...
Education & Certification
- Bard College - Bachelors, Russian Studies
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Current Grad Student, Physical Therapy
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- GED
- SAT
- SSAT
- +70 subjects

Abrar: ISEE test prep instructor
The world is not going to end if you do not get a perfect score. A perfect score should simply be a goal to strive towards. I believe in making mistakes. The best way to learn is to correct and review mistakes. This ensures that fewer and fewer errors are made in subsequent performances. Practice and discipline will lead to perfection. Those who do not learn from their mistakes are destined to repeat them.... It's okay to make mistakes. The best students learn from their mistakes. Those that do not are destined to repeat them.
Education & Certification
- Gannon University - Bachelor in Arts, Law and Political Science
- CUNY LaGuardia Community College - Associate in Arts, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT 8-Week Prep Class
- TACHS
- SAT 4-Week Prep Class
- +32 subjects

Allan: ISEE test prep instructor
...test results you need to succeed because I went through the exams myself and performed well. The first time I took the SAT I actually wasn't satisfied with my score, so I spent 2 months working hard to get my score to where I wanted it to be. The second time I took the exam I saw a 200-point increase. Previously, I have had experience teaching the SSAT and the SAT. The student I tutored...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelors, Biological Sciences
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- SAT
- HSPT
- +123 subjects

Karan: ISEE test prep instructor
...sophomore at Cornell University, and a recent graduate from Stuyvesant High School (a specialized high school in downtown Manhattan). I have much experience tutoring kids from ages 6 to 18 through the company Allen Mentoring in subjects such as physics, math, english, and history. I have scored a 34 on my ACT exam (out of 36). If you haven't found anyone already, I would be happy to be of assistance. Please let me know. I...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Current Undergrad, Applied Economics and Management
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Advanced Placement
- SAT Subject Tests
- REGENTS
- +60 subjects

Sean: ISEE test prep instructor
...I have been tutoring for more than 6 years. For 2.5 years, I taught math to Cornell Engineering undergraduates, and I looked forward to it every week! On Varsity Tutors, I tutor up to college level mathematics and physics, test prep (including AP courses, and SAT reading/writing). Explaining difficult math and science concepts in plain English is my forte. I love teaching and will be glad to help anyone become an independent learner.... Teach students to teach themselves, and to love the act of learning itself.
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor of Science, Engineering Physics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +67 subjects

Amanda: ISEE test prep instructor
...a graduate of Brown University, Bachelor's Degree in Political Science; Sarah Lawrence College, Master's Degree in Women's History, and I am eager to share my enthusiasm for learning with you. I studied political science at Brown University, but I enjoy reading about subjects as diverse as astronomy, sustainability, and literature too. I had some study tactics that worked for me, especially for high school subjects and standardized tests. I can share these with you but...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Bachelors, Political Science and Government
- Sarah Lawrence College - Master of Arts, Women's Studies
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- PSAT
- GED
- +54 subjects

Marguerite: ISEE test prep instructor
...learning there is no one size fits all solution to learning. Instead, most kids benefit best from patient, effective and customized tutoring thats designed to work with his or her own unique self, and on an individualized basis. Although my major was in science which also requires extensive math, my English, reading and writing are also among my strongest talents, for example having served as Editor of a literary and humor magazine at my high school,...
Education & Certification
- Yale University - Bachelor of Science, Physics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- ACT
- SAT
- +26 subjects

Shawn: ISEE test prep instructor
...I only ask that you know and explain to me what topics you do not know or get so far. I know that every student can learn a subject with a combination of practice and patience, but I insist upon consistent effort and sessions. As an educator I do not support last minute cramming as the primary learning method of content for students as it does not lead to retention of material, mastery of larger...
Education & Certification
- University of Richmond - Bachelor of Science, Chemistry
- University of California-Los Angeles - Master of Science, Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- GED
- California Proficiency Program (CPP)
- GCSE
- +131 subjects