ISEE FAQ

The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is a test used by many independent schools and magnet schools in the United States. The test is designed to aid admissions directors in deciding whom to accept for admission to their schools. The ISEE is unique in that it is used for admissions purposes only, and its norms are based only on applicants to independent schools.

See below for some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the ISEE.

Why the ISEE?
What is the difference between the ISEE and SSAT, and which test should I take?
How is the ISEE created?
How do I take the ISEE?
What is the ISEE Online?
How do I register?
How many times can I take the test?

What should I expect at the test site on the day of the test?
What should I bring with me on the day of the test?
Am I penalized for a wrong answer, and should I guess?
How is the essay scored?
What are the most important things to remember while taking the exam?
What are the best things to do the week before the exam?
What are the best things to do the night before the exam?

Why the ISEE?

The ISEE was developed by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) for its member schools as part of their admission process. Like other standardized tests, the purpose of the ISEE is to establish a standard method of measurement for the skills that have been acquired by school applicants. Founded in 1927, the ERB’s mission is to create testing and learning solutions that help schools develop improved curriculum, teaching, and learning through diagnosis of assessment results that address essential learning standards.

What is the difference between the ISEE and SSAT, and which test should I take?

Most private high schools and middle schools require applicant students to submit test scores from either the ISEE or SSAT. Some schools state a strong preference for one test or another, in which case the student should generally take that test. For schools that accept both tests, students should take whichever test they perform best on. In general, students whose verbal skills are stronger than their math skills fare better on the SSAT, while students whose math skills are stronger fare better on the ISEE.

How is the ISEE created?

The majority of the questions on the ISEE were developed by ERB-member faculty and administrators from a cross section of independent schools across the United States under the direction of test development specialists at Measurement Incorporated. In its current editions, the test aligns with the national standards in English and mathematics as adopted by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).

How do I take the ISEE?

You may take the ISEE in one of the following ways:

The ISEE is administered by a consortium of schools in cities throughout the United States where schools have joined together and have chosen to use a common entrance test program.
The ISEE is administered at individual school test sites at a wide variety of schools throughout the country and abroad and on a number of test dates.
The ISEE is administered at the ERB office in New York and at offices in other parts of the country and abroad.
Arrangements for testing with accommodations and for administrations in remote locations may be made with the ISEE Executive Director. For more information, contact:

Educational Records Bureau
222 E. 42nd Street, Suite 100
New York, NY 10017
800-989-3721, ext. 9812
www.erblearn.org

What is the ISEE Online?

The ISEE can now be taken online in certified test locations, as well as on paper. This “on demand” test administration option allows a student to take the test any day of the week with no advance notice necessary.

The new ISEE Primary for entrance to grades 2 – 4 is now administered exclusively online.

How do I register?

The easiest and fastest way to register is to complete the online application. Please register for the exam at www.erblearn.org. Online registration is $95.

If you prefer to pay by check, you must register by mail. The mail-in registration can be founded in a hard copy of the ISEE Student Guide, which can be mailed to you. The form is not available online.

You may register via phone or fax for $115.

How many times can I take the test?

You may only take the test once within a six-month period.

Which level of the ISEE should I take?

There are six levels of the ISEE.

Primary 2: for students currently in grade 1 (applicants to grade 2)
Primary 3: for students currently in grade 2 (applicants to grade 3)
Primary 4: for students currently in grade 3 (applicants to grade 4)
Lower Level: for students currently in grades 4 and 5 (applicants to grades 6 or 7)
Middle Level: for students currently in grades 6 and 7 (applicants to grades 7 or 8)
Upper Level: for students currently in grades 8 and above (applicants to grades 9 – 12)

What should I expect at the test site on the day of the test?

On the day of the test, students are checked in by presenting their verification letter or ID. The test is administered by teachers or other school personnel who teach or interact with children on a daily basis. The test administrators give clear test directions, and students are encouraged to ask for clarification, if necessary, before beginning each section of the test. Students will receive a 5-minute warning before the end of each test section. In the essay section, the students receive both a 15- and 5-minute warnings before time is called. Once time is called, students may not return to a completed test section.

What should I bring with me on the day of the test?

In addition to a verification letter or ID, students should bring four #2 pencils and two pens with either blue or black ink.

Am I penalized for a wrong answer, and should I guess?

Scores are calculated based on the number of correct answers. A wrong answer and an omitted answer count the same. Students should make an educated guess if they do not know the answer. No student is expected to answer all questions correctly.

How is the essay scored?

The essay, also known as the writing sample, is not scored. A copy is sent to the school(s) to which a student specifies at the time of registration. Evaluation is based on each individual school’s criteria.

What are the most important things to remember while taking the exam?

Read the questions carefully. Are there words like ‘EXCEPT’ or ‘OPPOSITE’? Underline the key words in each question.
Pace yourself. No question on the ISEE should take more than two or three minutes to answer, so don’t spend too long agonizing over one question unless you’ve already answered the easier ones.
Make educated guesses rather than random guesses. Use the process of elimination wherever you can to eliminate answer choices that are definitely not what you want. In the case of the Math questions, try "guesstimating" what the answer is probably close to.
If you have extra time, go back and check that you’ve bubbled in your answers correctly and noticed all the words like EXCEPT, and try taking a stab at questions you’ve left blank in that section.

What are the best things to do the week before the exam?

Write a practice essay each day and have a parent or teacher read it. Go over the essay together and incorporate these comments into your next attempts.
Break the test down into the different sections you need to know. Study those different sections in depth. If you have trouble with percentages, read the percentage section of your study guide and do all the practice questions. Check to see if you’re getting the right answers.
Each day, do timed practice sections of the ISEE, mark yourself, and then go back to look at the questions you got wrong. What types of question were they? What skills did they require? Go back and study those sections.
As breaks from the rest of your studying, make flashcards of vocabulary - and use them!
Eat well, exercise, and sleep!

What are the best things to do the night before the exam?

Study only lightly on the night before your exam. Make a list of your three biggest fears and work on them, but don’t try to learn anything new.
Pick out what you’re going to wear to the exam (wearing layers is recommended). Organize everything you need to bring. Know where the test center is and how long it will take to get there.
Eat a good dinner, get a good night's sleep, and then eat a healthy breakfast. Congratulations! You’re ready!