Levels
Primary through Upper
Scores
Stanines, 1–9
Retakes
Once per testing season
The Independent School Entrance Exam is used by many private and independent schools for admission from elementary through high school. Unlike the HSPT it comes in levels by grade, and each student is compared only with other applicants to the same grade.
What's on the test
- Verbal Reasoning: synonyms and sentence completion
- Quantitative Reasoning: math reasoning and problem solving
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics Achievement: the math the student has been taught
- An essay that isn't scored but is sent to schools
Reading the score report
Schools mostly look at stanines, a 1 to 9 scale comparing the student with other applicants to the same grade. A 5 is average for that group, and the group itself is a strong one. We help families understand where their student stands and what a realistic target is for the schools on their list.
Plan for more than one attempt
Students can take the ISEE once in each of three testing seasons: fall, winter, and spring/summer. An early first attempt, with preparation before the second, is often the most effective plan.
Talk to us about isee prep
Tell us the subject, the year group, and what you have tried already. We will tell you what we would actually recommend.