If your student's test prep could use a boost, enroll them in our Dallas Fort Worth ISEE prep course today to help them reach for academic success. The Independent School Entrance Examination, or ISEE, is a standardized test used by independent and magnet schools across the country as one factor in the application process. The test may be taken by students entering second grade or over, and it's split into four levels (Primary, Lower, Middle, and Upper) to provide a fair academic challenge to every student. The Primary ISEE is for students entering grades 2-4, Lower 5-6, Middle 7-8, and Upper 9+.
Taking a Dallas Fort Worth ISEE class may prove beneficial no matter which level of the exam your student is taking. Each class provides a comprehensive look into not only the academic skills needed on test day, but also test-taking tips that may help increase a test-taker's confidence. Keep reading to learn more about how we may be able to help you.
What are some of the subjects covered by a Dallas Fort Worth ISEE course?
The Primary Level ISEE is divided into three separate examinations as an acknowledgment that a lot of learning takes place between second grade and fourth grade, each signified by a numeral corresponding to the grade level a test-taker is entering. For example, Primary 2 is taken by students entering second grade. Each Primary ISEE contains multiple-choice Reading and Math sections that measure age-appropriate academic skills, and Primary 2 also has an Auditory Comprehension section based on listening packages. Each Primary Level ISEE concludes with a picture-based writing prompt that allows test-takers to share their personality with schools.
The Lower, Middle, and Upper ISEEs all share the same basic format. There are five sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Math Achievement, and Essay. Here is a closer look at what students can expect to see on each one:
1. Verbal Reasoning
The Verbal Reasoning section always consists of 40 multiple-choice items over a 20-minute testing session. Questions are structured as either sentence completions or synonyms, assessing a student's vocab skills. It's virtually impossible to try to memorize every word in the English language, so students might want to study Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, suffixes, and the parts of speech to help decipher what an unfamiliar term means. Reading can also provide a student with valuable experience using context to figure out what a word means.
2. Quantitative Reasoning
The Quantitative Reasoning section contains 37 multiple-choice questions over 35 minutes on all three levels. This section measures a student's mathematical thinking skills, saving operations for a different portion of the exam. Some possible topics include multiplication and long division on the Lower Level ISEE, fractions and decimals on the Middle Level exam, and introductory statistics and exponents on the Upper Level test.
3. Reading Comprehension
The Reading Comprehension section involves 36 multiple-choice questions over 35 minutes. Every question is based on a reading passage, measuring how well students retain what they read. Test-takers at all levels must determine an author's intent, the main idea and its supporting details, and how a passage's structure influences its point. Students taking the Middle Level ISEE also need to draw inferences based on what they've read and compare/contrast multiple passages. Students taking the Upper Level exam need to do all of that across literary genres, making it more challenging. If your student could retain more of the information they read, active reading skills such as note-taking should be a focal point in their test prep.
4. Math Achievement
The Math Achievement section has 47 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes. It emphasizes quantitative problem-solving skills, filling in the gaps of the Quantitative Reasoning section above. Some possible topics include decimals and percentages on the Lower Level ISEE, the geometry of triangles and quadrilaterals on the Middle Level ISEE, and algebraic equations and coordinate grids on the Upper Level ISEE.
5. Writing
The ISEE Writing section is not scored but photocopied and sent to each school a student applies to, allowing admissions departments to assess a student's written communication skills for themselves. It is structured as an introduction, but factors such as grammar and syntactic variety are also considered by most institutions. If your student gets intimidated by essays, learning how to outline them beforehand may help them seem more approachable.
Why should I choose a Dallas Fort Worth ISEE course provided by Varsity Tutors?
Every Dallas Fort Worth ISEE class we provide is taught by a knowledgeable instructor with great communication skills. It'll also take place on a live virtual platform that makes online instruction feel as intuitive as attending a class in person, without the usual logistical nightmare of going someplace.
Students can also interact with their peers while they study, allowing everybody to work together to establish a collaborative learning environment that may expedite the learning process. For example, hearing a friend explain something can help it feel more relatable than a teacher's perspective on the topic. Similarly, the student who does the explaining inadvertently reinforces their own knowledge of the material by teaching it to somebody else.
Studying as a group also allows multiple people to split the corresponding bill, making a Dallas Fort Worth ISEE class more affordable than you might think. If your student seems to be falling behind their new friends, you also have the right to set aside private study time outside of your student's scheduled class sessions to go over any concept they may need to.
Varsity Tutors also tries to make studying as convenient as we can. We launch new classes every week, so it's always a good time to get started. Similarly, two and four-week classes are available to make it easier to find something for nearly any schedule.
Can I sign my student up for a Dallas Fort Worth ISEE course right now?
Absolutely. Use the contact info provided on this page to reach out to a knowledgeable educational consultant for more information about each Dallas Fort Worth ISEE course option Varsity Tutors provides or to get the enrollment process started. We look forward to hearing from you!

Vivek: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...sophomore at Austin College. I am a biology major and neuroscience minor. Science has been my passion from a young age. I like tutoring because I sincerely enjoy helping others and being able to impart my knowledge and experience. Along with being strong in my curricular classes, I have experience helping and tutoring younger students in various subjects and test prep. As a patient and encouraging teacher, I am adept at helping others reach their...
Education & Certification
- Austin College - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- TOEFL
- SSAT
- +66 subjects
Education & Certification
- Swarthmore College - Bachelor in Arts, History
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +84 subjects

Samantha: Dallas ISEE course instructor
Although I spend my days teaching in a classroom, I love moonlighting at a tutor because of the individualized attention that my students receive. I bring several years of classroom experience to the table, as well as a teaching credential from the University of Oxford and a BA from Northwestern University. While my classroom experience is in English/reading and history, my tutoring experience has been in everything from math to foreign languages. ... In short, I believe that education should be made as enjoyable as possible!
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelors, Religious Studies
- University of Oxford - Masters, Secondary Education (Religious Education)
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- HSPT
- SAT
- GCSE
- +63 subjects

Kay: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...with a Special Education minor as well as a Master of Arts in Counseling and an MBA. I have over 20 professional years advocating and giving a voice to the issues plaguing communities, 10 years in the classroom as a Substitute Teacher and countless years as a tutor. I have extensive experience with learners who have other contributing factors which hinder them academically. It is my belief all students are able to achieve academic success...
Education & Certification
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville - Bachelors, Psychology
- Webster University - Master of Arts, Counseling Psychology
- Webster University - Masters, Business Administration and Management
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR EOC
- SAT
- STAAR
- +75 subjects

Laurie: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...at heart with the same values of working hard with honesty and integrity. I graduate from Texas Tech University with a BBA in Marketing. I am a former elementary teacher with thirteen years in public schools teaching mostly 4th grade. My favorite subject to teach is math. I have a proven record helping students succeed on standardized test by preparing them with knowledge and test taking strategies. I help my students learn by teaching in...
Education & Certification
- Texas Tech University - Bachelor in Business Administration, Marketing
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Test Prep
- Arithmetic
- College English
- +7 subjects

Iselee: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...I am currently a visual artist pursuing further studies in digital and web design. I formerly taught bilingual math and science, and I am a certified bilingual education teacher in the state of Texas. I love learning, imparting knowledge, and bilingualism, and I am eager to assist students with academic goals. Previously, I've taught 3rd grade bilingual courses including English and Spanish literacy and grammar as well as math, science, and social studies. I have...
Education & Certification
- Loyola Marymount University - Bachelors, Spanish
- Johns Hopkins University - Current Grad Student, Digital Communication
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- STAAR
- PSAT
- +72 subjects

Connor: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...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 students in college...
Education & Certification
- Saint Louis University-Main Campus - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- HSPT
- STAAR
- +43 subjects

James: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...important question to ask students became "What do you want to get out of the class and our time together?" this way I could align my expectations of students with their goals. After Tulane, I went back home to finish my undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Dallas. More of my teaching philosophy was developed here with positions as Teaching Assistant in Biochemistry and Supplemental Instruction Leader in Physics at the Student Success...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Dallas - Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience
- The University of Texas at Dallas - Master of Science, Human-Computer Interaction
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR EOC
- GED
- College Math
- +107 subjects

Tiffany: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...of that goal, I want to help students from all backgrounds get a quality education and not feel judged. In my public school education, I struggled myself with vision issues, which caused my education to dwindle, but it took one amazing teacher to ensure I found my way again. I hope to be the same for students. I received my bachelor's of arts from the University of Central Florida in English with Creative Writing. This...
Education & Certification
- University of Central Florida - Bachelor in Arts, English
- The University of Alabama - Master of Arts, English
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ASVAB
- SAT
- SSAT
- +104 subjects

Kimberly: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...have partnered with students in kindergarten through college to assist them in reaching their academic potential! I have a B.A. from UT Dallas in Interdisciplinary Studies, M.A. from Amberton in School Counseling, and M.Ed. from the University of North Texas in Educational Administration. I pride myself in learning about my students and their needs, and I want to build a rapport with them to build their confidence and academic skills. I specialize in elementary reading...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Dallas - Bachelor in Arts, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
- Amberton University - Master of Arts, Mental Health Counseling
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SCAT Exam
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- SHSAT
- +72 subjects

Jessica: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...passion for education continues when I am not at school teaching. I enjoy working with students one-on-one to help then master the content that they are working on. I thrive on coming up with different ways to help a struggling student succeed. Building relationships is another part of tutoring that I love. It is great to get to know more people and be able to see them grow in their knowledge and as people.
Education & Certification
- Western Governors University - Bachelor in Arts, Elementary Education
- Western Governors University - Master of Science, Special Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR
- SSAT
- ISEE- Lower Level
- +20 subjects
Education & Certification
- National University of Singapore - Bachelor of Engineering, Electrical Engineering
- Nanyang Technological University Singapore - Doctor of Engineering, Electrical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- ACT
- SSAT- Middle Level
- +61 subjects

Lazaro: Dallas ISEE course instructor
My goal is to provide clear explanations to the students, so they can succeed in their math courses. Computer Engineering major. Strong subjects: trigonometry, pre-calculus, algebra, geometry, and calculus. Also, I would love to help students in their programming courses. Languages that I am familiar with are C++, Java, Typescript, Javascript, C, Assembly Language, Python. I can help in electronics courses as well.
Education & Certification
- Miami Dade College - Bachelor of Engineering, Computer Hardware Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- TOEFL
- CLEP
- HSPT
- +117 subjects

Ra'Dricka: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...and social studies. Being a strong reader and writer provokes confidence, because you're able to comprehend and verbalize on a higher level. My teaching philosophy is centered on the notion that learning needs to be student centered. The student takes a great role in their own learning process. My job as the instructor is to ensure the student has the proper tools and resources to be successful, but the student must take it upon themselves...
Education & Certification
- University of Oklahoma Norman Campus - Bachelors, Journalism
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- SSAT
- SAT Mathematics
- +21 subjects

Michele: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...Reading Comprehension, Academic Writing, TOEFL, SAT, GRE Prep and ESL. I absolutely love working with various students and seeing them grow over time. I believe that teaching should always be student-based, which means I'd like to get to know my students individually and understand what their goals and needs are so that I can find ways to best support them. When I'm not teaching, I love to do photography, read novels, play with my dog,...
Education & Certification
- Baylor University - Bachelor in Arts, Linguistics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- OLSAT
- SAT
- HSPT
- +53 subjects

Adriana: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...retired educator with almost 30 years of experience in the classroom and library. A large part of my classroom instruction involved tutoring in all core subject areas in grades K-5. As a librarian, I had the pleasure of working with middle school teens as a resource and mentor in academic competitions and other activities. My teaching philosophy involves listening to the student and assessing weaknesses and strengths. I use scaffolding to build upon small successes...
Education & Certification
- Southern Methodist University - Bachelors, Broadcast Film
- Southern Methodist University - Masters, Bilingual Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- ACT
- SHSAT
- +62 subjects

Melissa: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...and engaging, but also be excited about the lesson so that students can also be excited about the subject. I want my students to do the thinking, instead of telling them what they should know. Objectives are stickier stickier when the lesson is something that the student can relate to. I am no-nonsense, but I also want to make sure that my studI meet the needs of my students and continuously modify the objectives based...
Education & Certification
- University of Houston - Bachelors, Political Science and Government
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- A Level
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- SSAT
- +43 subjects

Anshu: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...engineering student. Currently, I am pursuing a career in software engineering. I have a couple years of experience in tutoring students for standardized tests (PSAT, SAT, Subject SAT, etc.) and highschool subjects. I also have years of experience working with students of all ages from volunteering in various stem camps as a counselor. During highschool I spent a lot of time learning how to tackle challenges and I love passing on my knowledge so that...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas at Austin - Bachelor of Engineering, Petroleum Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- PSAT
- SAT
- +16 subjects

Garrett: Dallas ISEE course instructor
As an aspiring musician and researcher, I intend to put all my efforts into benefiting communities and people around me. Working with students is one of my many passions, and I will always ensure to help them reach their own potentials in life.
Education & Certification
- University of North Texas - Current Undergrad Student, Mechanical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- College Physics
- AP Physics C: Mechanics
- +36 subjects

Britni: Dallas ISEE course instructor
...at risk coordinator/instructionalist specialist, in this position I work with at- risk struggling students in small groups to help them be successful. I also work with their teachers on helping them develop plans for their struggling students. I have had the privilege to tutor my classroom students and have had a tremendous amount of success with seeing them grow academically. I celebrate all growth with my students. I believe that in order to be successful and...
Education & Certification
- University of North Texas - Bachelors, Sociology
- Texas A & M University-Commerce - Masters, Curriculum and Instruction
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- CogAT
- Elementary School
- Other
- +23 subjects