EVERYTHING ISEE.
When does registration start?
ISEE registration opens on the first of August every calendar year. The level of the test is dependent on your child’s grade level. Based on the grade, your child will fall into one of three testing levels. We believe that preparation for this test is truly about practice and comfortability with the test information.
How should we prepare?
It is likely that the test material will be much more advanced than what your child has been instructed in school. Your child may be at the lower end of the criteria for test age, and it is important for your child to feel comfortable with all the concepts and test questions prior to taking the test. Many families tend to use the test for middle or high school entry, so make sure your child is adequately prepared. Say your child is an 8th grader who wants to take the the Upper Level ISEE. The Upper Level ISEE has concepts that go through 12th grade, so it is crucial to have the knowledge necessary to answer the test’s questions. The test itself is long, and most children do not have experience sitting for a test.
Which test should my child take?
There are three levels - lower level, middle level and upper level. When signing your child up for the ISEE in June, you should be certain to select your child's grade level for the year of your application. For example, if your student is a current 7th grader in June and you’d like to apply for 9th grade, you should indicate them as an 8th grade to take the upper level test.
What does my child need to know for the test?
Instead of focusing on concepts taught in school, the ISEE measures acquired verbal, quantitative (math) and reading skills to determine how your child compares to other children in the same grade. The test is broken down into five parts. Math, reading, and verbal reasoning will be factored into the score. The writing section will not be factored into the score, but will be sent to the school you are applying for as a sample of your child's writing (and handwriting) ability. The test is comprised of questions that emphasize critical thinking and problem solving.
Should my child skip questions that they don’t know or should they guess?
Unlike the SSAT, during the ISEE there is no penalty for guessing. Therefore, your child should be encouraged to answer each question. A raw score is calculated and scaled to a range, which is then converted into a “stanine” score.. The scores are online account to your account ~10–14 days after testing.
What is the format of the test?
Upper Level - The four sections that make up the ISEE are all multiple choice Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension and Mathematics Achievement. There is also an essay. The essay is not graded, however the results are submitted to the school in which your child is applying to as a sample of his/her writing.
Will there be breaks in between?
There is one break on the elementary level and two breaks on the middle/upper level. The test is long, and may very well be the longest test your child has ever sat for. The ISEE allows for snacks during breaks, but not during the test.
Finding a test center
Finding a test center in your area might be tough, since spots fill up quickly. We advise picking a test date well into the future, so that your child has time to prepare and is guaranteed a seat. More information can be found at https://iseeonline.erblearn.org/Search
Scores
All scores are converted to a grade-appropriate “stanine,” which represents a percentile range and is a national comparison to students taking the test within the past three years.
Verbal Reasoning
797-935 (Upper Level)
782-926 (Middle Level)
760-903 (Lower Level)
Quantitative Reasoning
815-940 (Upper Level)
791-927 (Middle Level)
766-911 (Lower Level)
Reading Comprehension
825-940 (Upper Level)
799-940 (Middle Level)
764-913 (Lower Level)
Mathematics Achievement
806-940 (Upper Level)
774-907 (Middle Level)
769-899 (Lower Level)
More information on the ISEE website
https://iseeonline.erblearn.org/
ISEE registration opens on the first of August every calendar year. The level of the test is dependent on your child’s grade level. Based on the grade, your child will fall into one of three testing levels. We believe that preparation for this test is truly about practice and comfortability with the test information.
How should we prepare?
It is likely that the test material will be much more advanced than what your child has been instructed in school. Your child may be at the lower end of the criteria for test age, and it is important for your child to feel comfortable with all the concepts and test questions prior to taking the test. Many families tend to use the test for middle or high school entry, so make sure your child is adequately prepared. Say your child is an 8th grader who wants to take the the Upper Level ISEE. The Upper Level ISEE has concepts that go through 12th grade, so it is crucial to have the knowledge necessary to answer the test’s questions. The test itself is long, and most children do not have experience sitting for a test.
Which test should my child take?
There are three levels - lower level, middle level and upper level. When signing your child up for the ISEE in June, you should be certain to select your child's grade level for the year of your application. For example, if your student is a current 7th grader in June and you’d like to apply for 9th grade, you should indicate them as an 8th grade to take the upper level test.
- Lower Level ISEE - For children currently in 4th or 5th grade who are applying for admission to either 5th or 6th grade grade. Total time: 160 minutes, including two ten minute breaks.
- Middle Level ISEE - For children currently in 6th or 7th grade who are applying for admission to either 7th or 8th grade. Total time: 180 minutes, including two ten minute breaks.
- Upper Level ISEE - For children currently in 8th through 12th grade who are applying for admission to 9th through 12th grade. Total time: 180 minutes, including two ten minute breaks.
What does my child need to know for the test?
Instead of focusing on concepts taught in school, the ISEE measures acquired verbal, quantitative (math) and reading skills to determine how your child compares to other children in the same grade. The test is broken down into five parts. Math, reading, and verbal reasoning will be factored into the score. The writing section will not be factored into the score, but will be sent to the school you are applying for as a sample of your child's writing (and handwriting) ability. The test is comprised of questions that emphasize critical thinking and problem solving.
Should my child skip questions that they don’t know or should they guess?
Unlike the SSAT, during the ISEE there is no penalty for guessing. Therefore, your child should be encouraged to answer each question. A raw score is calculated and scaled to a range, which is then converted into a “stanine” score.. The scores are online account to your account ~10–14 days after testing.
What is the format of the test?
Upper Level - The four sections that make up the ISEE are all multiple choice Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension and Mathematics Achievement. There is also an essay. The essay is not graded, however the results are submitted to the school in which your child is applying to as a sample of his/her writing.
Will there be breaks in between?
There is one break on the elementary level and two breaks on the middle/upper level. The test is long, and may very well be the longest test your child has ever sat for. The ISEE allows for snacks during breaks, but not during the test.
Finding a test center
Finding a test center in your area might be tough, since spots fill up quickly. We advise picking a test date well into the future, so that your child has time to prepare and is guaranteed a seat. More information can be found at https://iseeonline.erblearn.org/Search
Scores
All scores are converted to a grade-appropriate “stanine,” which represents a percentile range and is a national comparison to students taking the test within the past three years.
Verbal Reasoning
797-935 (Upper Level)
782-926 (Middle Level)
760-903 (Lower Level)
Quantitative Reasoning
815-940 (Upper Level)
791-927 (Middle Level)
766-911 (Lower Level)
Reading Comprehension
825-940 (Upper Level)
799-940 (Middle Level)
764-913 (Lower Level)
Mathematics Achievement
806-940 (Upper Level)
774-907 (Middle Level)
769-899 (Lower Level)
More information on the ISEE website
https://iseeonline.erblearn.org/