ISEE

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About the ISEE

Whereas the SAT or ACT is taken to get into college, the ISEE is taken to get into a private secondary school. The test is available in 4 levels: Primary Level for students applying to grades 2-4, Lower Level for students applying to grades 5-6, Middle Level for students applying to grades 7-8, and Upper Level for students applying to grades 9-12. The Lower, Middle, and Upper Level tests are similar in format, but the content gets more advanced as the level increases. Students can take the ISEE only once per testing season. The ISEE is available in the traditional paper-and-pencil version or the online in-home version.

Scoring

The most important thing that schools look at is the stanine score, which is simply a number from 1-9. You receive a stanine score for each of the 4 sections: Reading, Verbal, Quantitative, and Math Achievement. The higher the stanine score, the better you did compared to other test-takers. A score of 5, for example, is average, which means about half the students did better than you and half did worse.

Section Breakdown

The Middle and Upper Level ISEE are identical in format and are structured as follows:

Reading

This is a 35 minute section with 36 questions. The format is four-choice multiple choice. There are a total of 6 passages with 6 questions per passage. The passage genres typically include literature, science, and history.

Verbal

This is a 20 minute section with 40 questions. The format is four-choice multiple choice. There are 19 synonyms, followed by 21 sentence completions. The vocabulary is pretty demanding: pious, shirk, and philanthropic have all appeared on the ISEE!

Quantitative Reasoning

This is a 35 minute section with 37 questions. No calculator is allowed. The format is four-choice multiple choice. Part 1 (questions 1-20) is strictly word problems. Part 2 (questions 21-37) is a different type of question called Quantitative Comparisons. This section reflects your ability to reason. Content is focused on pre-algebra, algebra, and geometry.

Mathematics Achievement

This is a 40 minute section with 47 questions. No calculator is allowed. The format is four-choice multiple choice. This section tests you more on your skills and on what you know - what you have achieved in math. Content is focused on pre-algebra, algebra, and geometry.

Writing Sample

This is an essay section. You have 30 minutes to respond to a prompt. It is an analytical essay, not a creative writing assignment. The writing sample does NOT receive a score. However, it may be reviewed by the school admissions staff as an additional factor to consider.

Here is a sample prompt from the Upper Level test:
What is your definition of a hero or heroine? Give an example and explain why you have chosen this person.

woman in white long sleeve shirt and blue denim jeans sitting on brown wooden pathway

The Cornerstone Approach

There are a host of strategies that can be used to attack even the hardest ISEE questions. And these strategies are extremely effective! But strategies can only get you so far. That’s why I balance the lessons with just the right blend of strategies, test-taking techniques, and content. The lessons are always fine-tuned to address YOUR specific needs - no one else’s! At the outset of the program, I’ll already have done a thorough analysis of your previous ISEE score report, or an intake diagnostic ISEE at our tutoring center. Based on that analysis, I’ll know what specific areas we need to focus on so that we can maximize your score and not waste time reviewing stuff you already know!

Ready To Start Improving Your Test Scores?

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Since 1999, Cornerstone Test Prep and Tutoring has helped over 4,000 students in the Greater Boston area master the SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT, ISEE, GRE, and GMAT. I can help you, too.

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