If your student is thinking about attending a certain private or independent school, then they can use some assistance with a Varsity Tutors ISEE preparation service. You may already know how effective ISEE test prep can be if you've ever looked up "ISEE help near me" online. The Independent School Entrance Exam, or ISEE, is a test independent and private schools use to see if prospective students can handle their rigorous coursework. Do you feel that your student can benefit from ISEE tutoring? Then please reach out to us to learn more about our ISEE test preparation services.
Why Take the ISEE Exam?
The Independent School Entrance Examination is commonly taken by elementary, middle, and high school students who are applying to competitive private schools. The point of the exam is to give these schools a chance to assess the academic skill sets of the students who are applying there. Earning a strong ISEE score could make your child a more attractive candidate for admission at the school they're most interested in attending. That's why having a strong ISEE test prep plan is important in the lead up to your student's upcoming exam. If you'd like to get your student some extra help with their study plan, you don't need to look up "ISEE tutoring near me" online. Instead, you can easily get started with your child's own ideal ISEE test prep plan by contacting Varsity Tutors today.
ISEE Exam Eligibility Requirements
There are few requirements that your student must satisfy before they can sign up to take the ISEE. It is, however, important that you register them for their test day early because they can fill up quickly. Getting your student signed up for their preferred exam day early can give you the peace of mind that they're on track to take their test by the time it's required to complete the admissions process at the private school they're applying to.
You can easily sign your child up to take the ISEE by visiting the Educational Records Bureau's registration web page. When you're doing this, make sure that you're signing your student up for the correct exam level. Doing this will avoid any delays associated with having to change the test your student is signed up to take at the last minute.
The ISEE is an easy exam to sign up for because of its lack of restrictive eligibility requirements. Outside of the considerations listed above, you should have no problem signing your student up to take the ISEE test they need in order to complete their private school application process. If you'd like help with the test registration process or want to learn more about ISEE requirements, consider reaching out to Varsity Tutors today.
Breaking Down the ISEE Exam
The ISEE exam has four levels: primary level (2nd-4th grade), lower level (5th-6th grade), middle level (7th-8th grade), and upper level (9th-12th grade). Each level comes with tests with multiple-choice questions that cover mathematics and reading topics, plus a writing prompt. (Students taking the primary level exam have to do a picture prompt instead of a writing prompt.) If your student is entering the 5th or 6th grade, here are some specific topics they need to know when taking the ISEE Lower Level exam:
- Vocabulary
- Sentence completion
- Quantitative word problems
- Identifying the main idea of a reading passage
- Drawing conclusions from a reading passage
- Numbers and operations
- Geometry
- Algebra
Is your student applying to a private or independent high school? Below are the details of the ISEE Upper Level exam:
ISEE Upper Level Sections |
# Questions |
Time Allowed (in minutes) |
Verbal Reasoning |
40 |
20 |
Quantitative Reasoning |
37 |
35 |
Reading Comprehension |
36 |
35 |
Math Achievement |
47 |
40 |
Essay |
1 Writing Prompt |
30 |
Whether your student needs to take the lower, middle, or upper level ISEE exam, they'll be asked to complete the same five test sections that are listed in the above table. However, the content of these sections may vary depending on your student's test level. Below, you'll find a brief look at what your student can expect to find in each of these test sections.
The first section of the ISEE exam, Verbal Reasoning, consists primarily of vocabulary questions. Thus, your student will need to have a strong understanding of vocabulary in order to do well on this part of the test. ISEE test prep assistance from Varsity Tutors can help your student build up their vocabulary if they could use some help with it.
The next exam section is called Quantitative Reasoning. This section consists mostly of math word problems. Again, signing up for ISEE test prep help from Varsity Tutors is a great way to get your student help with developing this skill set. Third, your student will also be asked to complete a Reading Comprehension test section. Here, they'll be asked to read complex passages and then demonstrate their understanding of those reading passages by answering a series of multiple-choice questions about the passages. The fourth and final multiple-choice section covers the topic of Math Achievement. This section will ask your student to solve math problems based on mathematics topics they would've learned about at their grade level.
Finally, your student will also be asked to complete an Essay while taking their ISEE exam. This test section, however, is not graded. Instead, your student's essay will be sent to the admissions directors at the schools they apply to. A strong ISEE essay is a great chance for your child to show off their writing abilities. It could influence the admission committee's final decision on your student's application as well. If your student could use some help with their writing skills, then ISEE test prep may be a good option.
As detailed above, the ISEE is a wide-ranging, comprehensive standardized exam. Even if your child already excels in most of the topics they'll be tested on, it can be very beneficial to have a refresher before utilizing their academic skill set on this important test. If you think your child would benefit from working with an ISEE test prep expert, then you don't need to search online for "ISEE test prep near me". Instead, consider reaching out to Varsity Tutors today. You can learn more about the various ISEE test prep options that you can choose from in the following section.
Varsity Tutors Can Help Your Student Study
You have a few different ISEE prep options to consider when deciding which one you'd like your child to pursue. The ISEE courses that you ultimately sign them up for should reflect their learning style and academic needs. You can get an in-depth look at each ISEE prep option by continuing to read below, or by speaking with an educational director today.
The first ISEE prep option you may be interested in for your child is private ISEE tutoring. Signing up for ISEE tutoring may be the right option for your student if they've previously done well when working directly with their educator. ISEE tutors offer the chance to get personalized feedback throughout the entire ISEE preparation process. Your student's ISEE tutors can set them up with a customized ISEE preparation plan that takes their specific needs into account. Your child will be able to work through each of these ISEE prep sessions at their own speed, stopping to get additional guidance from their ISEE prep instructor whenever they need it.
In our ISEE classes, your student receives one-on-one attention with an instructor who's an expert in their field. These ISEE tutors are knowledgeable in reading and math topics, so your student can ask them for assistance on anything that's troubling them. The personalization that your student will receive through their ISEE prep process could help them to create a more efficient ISEE test preparation plan.
What's great about our ISEE courses is that they assist gifted students. Maybe your student is studying for an ISEE Middle Level Exam, even though they're younger than the average junior high pupil. These ISEE class instructors are more than happy to nurture bright minds by helping them study challenging material. Does your student struggle with staying on task? In an ISEE course, a tutor can try to assist them with focusing on their studies by giving them handy time management advice. A tutor can also customize an ISEE prep session to suit your student's personal learning style. Pupils in our ISEE test prep programs can request a tutor to read a passage aloud or use slides if they feel it helps them absorb information better. We love the fact that our ISEE prep services can assist young students in several ways.
Another ISEE prep option you may want to consider is signing your student up for a small group-based ISEE class. This ISEE prep resource gives your child the chance to learn from an expert educator alongside a small group of peers. Taking an ISEE class may be right for your student if they've previously found success in the traditional classroom learning environment. In fact, ISEE classes combine the best of two different worlds. Your student will get all of the benefits of traditional ISEE classes with the convenience of online learning when they sign up to take a group ISEE course.
In fact, each of our ISEE test preparation options are flexible. We make every effort to connect you with an educator who is able to work around your child's schedule. This ensures that they can get the help they need preparing for their upcoming exam without having to worry about making any sacrifices in the other important parts of their lives. You can even sign your student up for an ISEE course that fits neatly into your own schedule.
Scoring the Independent School Entrance Examination
The ISEE has a percentile-based scoring system. This means that your student will earn both a raw score and a percentile rank for each test section they complete. For instance, if your child's raw score in their Math Achievement section was better than 80% of the other students who took the same level ISEE exam, they would earn an 80th percentile ranking for that section. This grading style was designed to give admissions committees a chance to see how the students who apply to their school compare to one another.
The majority, about 54%, of students who take the ISEE end up earning a percentile score somewhere between the 40th and 70th percentiles. Comparatively, about 23% of students score between the 1st and 30th percentiles. The same number, 23%, also score between the 70th and 90th percentiles. Taking ISEE courses can help your student develop the skills they need to be more confident while taking each part of the ISEE. If you think your student would benefit from ISEE courses, then consider contacting us today.
Getting Started
Like any standardized exam, taking the ISEE can be a challenging thing to do. However, your student doesn't have to go through the test preparation process alone. Instead, why not let Varsity Tutors help them get more out of their study sessions with the test preparation plan of their choice? We'd love to use our expertise in the test preparation industry to help your student feel more confident on the day of their exam.
If your student is approaching high school and wants to review anything for test, an ISEE test prep tutor is at their side to help them study. Your student can time themselves with a practice writing prompt or have an instructor drill them on math problems. Rather than spending time online looking up "ISEE help near me", you can easily get your child started with their own ideal test preparation plan by connecting with Varsity Tutors today.
Whatever the age of your student, the lessons they may learn in an ISEE prep program won't just help them now; they could benefit them greatly in the future, especially if they want to pursue higher education. Our ISEE test prep programs are all online, so your student doesn't need to leave home to engage in lessons. To get more information about our ISEE prep services, please contact Varsity Tutors today. Representatives are standing by to assist you in signing your student up for an ISEE test prep program.

Kaley: ISEE test prep instructor
...tutor and in these roles I look for ways to make learning fun and rewarding. I especially love teaching reading and writing and I have taught or tutored these subjects to students ranging from kindergarten through adults. I also have experience tutoring test prep subjects and focus both on the content material and test taking skills. My passion is psychology and I have been able to use my graduate training in human development to tailor...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Bachelors, Education and Public Policy
- Harvard Graduate School of Education - Masters, Human Development and Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Writing and Language
- Elementary Math
- ACT English
- +35 subjects

Samantha: ISEE test prep instructor
...this spring. In the fall, I will begin attending law school at Northwestern Law. For many years, I tutored a wide range of students in Spanish, English literature, and writing. I have also continued to help many high school seniors with college application essays. While I tutor a variety of subjects, I am very passionate about helping students improve their reading and writing skills, and I really enjoy helping students with Critical Reading and Writing...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Current Undergrad, Political Science & Legal Studies
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- College Level American History
- Algebra
- AP United States History
- +36 subjects

Kelsey: ISEE test prep instructor
...top 30% of the College of Arts and Sciences), and she also holds a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Food Science at Montclair State University. She graduated from Immaculate Heart Academy in 2009 as the class salutatorian, an AP and Distinguished Honor Roll student, and the recipient of the IHA Math Award. Kelsey still attributes her academic successes to the study tactics she developed during her formative elementary and high school years, and...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ISEE- Middle Level
- Statistics
- College Algebra
- +74 subjects

Ariela: ISEE test prep instructor
...a skill I use both in my academic life, as well as professionally; as a stage manager, it is often my job to take in complicated and conflicting pieces of information (the blocking, a quick change in costumes, changes in a script) and quickly organize that information so that I can convey it to someone else. I enjoy and excel at condensing and re-communicating facts or tasks, so that they become comprehensible to someone who...
Education & Certification
- University of Chicago - Current Undergrad, Theater & Performance Studies
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Summer
- 10th Grade Math
- High School English
- +50 subjects

Joshua: ISEE test prep instructor
...my thesis on the international art exchanges between Paris, New York and Dakar, Senegal. I also received a Certificate in African Studies from the Universit de Paris 1 - Panthon-Sorbonne and focused my research on the social exclusion of African immigrants in Western Europe. Since graduation, I have worked at a public school in Harlem as the College Counselor working with students from grades 6-12. In my two years of experience, I have had the...
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Bachelor in Arts, French and Francophone Studies
- University of Pennsylvania - Master of Science, Social Policy
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills
- GRE Analytical Writing
- SAT Writing and Language
- +92 subjects

Connor: ISEE test prep instructor
...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 level general chemistry,...
Education & Certification
- Saint Louis University-Main Campus - Bachelor in Arts, Economics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Business
- MCAT
- Physics
- +42 subjects

Max: ISEE test prep instructor
...semesters off from school to sing and travel the entire world with the Yale Whiffenpoofs, America's oldest collegiate a cappella singing group. Apart from singing, I'm is passionate about education, particularly in helping high school students achieve their academic goals as they work their way towards college. I volunteer in New Haven as a math teacher and coach at a public middle school (my team of 7th graders just won the 2016 New Haven regional...
Education & Certification
- Yale University - Current Undergrad, Economics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Social Sciences
- Psychology
- Social Studies
- +104 subjects

Cynthia: ISEE test prep instructor
...will be pursuing my PhD in Neuroscience in the fall at Johns Hopkins. I have been tutoring high school students outside of class in college and involved in STEM academics and research mentorship as well as a translation program from and to English outside of class. I speak Japanese and French, and I have taken the PSATs, SATs, 10 APs, and the GREs successfully. I would be willing to help with any of these subjects,...
Education & Certification
- Princeton University - Bachelors, Neuroscience
- Johns Hopkins University - PHD, Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- College English
- French 3
- SSAT- Upper Level
- +72 subjects

Paul: ISEE test prep instructor
...testing such as the ACT, SAT, ISEE and LSAT. I have significant experience as both a one-on-one high school tutor during college and teaching high school students after college. I find that I am always able to make the material simple and relatable for the student that I am tutoring - it is a question of presenting the material in a manner that is easy to understand. In addition, I am very patient, friendly, and...
Education & Certification
- Georgetown University - Bachelor of Science, Finance
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT Mathematics
- Microeconomics
- ISEE- Upper Level
- +93 subjects

Margarita: ISEE test prep instructor
...school in the fall of 2015. Since graduation, I have been working part-time in a dermatologist office as a Medical Assistant and part-time on a public health project related to smoking cessation. I have also been tutoring students in a variety of subjects. I have been tutoring students since I was in 7th grade, and my favorite subject to tutor is math. My family is originally from Russia, and I grew up with a very...
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Trigonometry
- Algebra 3/4
- ACT
- +55 subjects

David: ISEE test prep instructor
...native speaker thinks. There are four areas of competency in any language: speaking, listening, reading, and writing, and two building blocks: grammar and vocabulary. Every session will involve us practicing these. We'll go over what you're studying in class, reviewing the vocabulary and grammar and then practicing until you're comfortable. After that, we'll look at and discuss a short passage and a recording. We'll end each session with a quiz to make sure you're comfortable...
Education & Certification
- CUNY Hunter College - Bachelor of Science, Economics
- CUNY Hunter College - Bachelor in Arts, Chinese Studies
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- European History
- French 3
- SAT Subject Tests
- +73 subjects

Rebecca: ISEE test prep instructor
...am currently pursuing a masters degree in social work at the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration. I am passionate about tutoring because I want everyone to be able to perform academically at their highest possible level. I also think it is important that learning is not just for one assignment or one test, but rather that it sticks with you to build a solid foundation of knowledge and confidence that you can...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelors, Psychology
- University of Chicago SSA - Masters, Social Work
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Psychology
- SSAT- Middle Level
- Other
- +53 subjects

Vivek: ISEE test prep instructor
...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 educational goals.... My teaching philosophy is "work hard, play hard." It may sound childish, but I believe the brain requires balance in everything, including activities. With a strong work ethic, along with support and freedom, the tutor and student will go far.
Education & Certification
- Austin College - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT Critical Reading
- Public Speaking
- Pre-Algebra
- +66 subjects

Grace: ISEE test prep instructor
...consistently accountable to the student, showing up prepared and eager to spend time with them, you show them how much you care. Doing so forms a close bond, and allows the tutor to be much more effective. I think that it is also important to understand the place that the student is coming from- to be empathetic about problems they may be having either at home or with their schoolwork. I think tutoring at its...
Education & Certification
- University of Virginia-Main Campus - Bachelor in Arts, Women, Gender and Sexuality and Foreign Affairs
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Reading
- SAT
- Conversational French
- +51 subjects

Thomas: ISEE test prep instructor
...have extensive experience (5+ years) tutoring students for the SAT and ACT. I got a 2370 on my SAT (800 Math, 780 Critical Reading, 790 Writing) and a 35 on my ACT. I am also very familiar with the SSAT and ISEE exams. After graduating from Yale University with a BA and MA in history I taught English in South Korea for a year before moving home and becoming a tutor full-time.
Education & Certification
- Yale University - Bachelors, History
- Yale University - Masters, History
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT Mathematics
- PSAT Writing Skills
- SAT Writing and Language
- +20 subjects

Jeanne: ISEE test prep instructor
...to each student???s needs, as every student is unique in their needs and preferences. I work towards full comprehension, talking through their thinking processes, and helping them learn through their own mechanisms. I teach them the skills, strategies, and content, and I give students the confidence to utilize these to improve their studies. I reinforce the foundations of what they are learning, and particularly in test prep, I make sure students have all the important strategies...
Education & Certification
- Case Western Reserve University - Bachelor in Arts, Sociology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- English
- College English
- SSAT- Middle Level
- +45 subjects

Abrar: ISEE test prep instructor
The world is not going to end if you do not get a perfect score. A perfect score should simply be a goal to strive towards. I believe in making mistakes. The best way to learn is to correct and review mistakes. This ensures that fewer and fewer errors are made in subsequent performances. Practice and discipline will lead to perfection. Those who do not learn from their mistakes are destined to repeat them.... It's okay to make mistakes. The best students learn from their mistakes. Those that do not are destined to repeat them.
Education & Certification
- Gannon University - Bachelor in Arts, Law and Political Science
- CUNY LaGuardia Community College - Associate in Arts, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SHSAT
- SSAT- Upper Level
- ISEE- Middle Level
- +25 subjects

Alex: ISEE test prep instructor
...science. I have been working with students for several years now and have provided academic support to my peers throughout my time as a high school and now college student. Through my religious school, I taught students of all ages, ranging from Pre-K through 8th Grade. In high school, I helped prepare students for AP, SAT, ACT, and SAT subject tests as part of my role in the National Honor Society. I have considerable personal...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor in Arts, Statistics & Economics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- AP Calculus BC
- College Essays
- College Algebra
- +81 subjects

Wilson: ISEE test prep instructor
I am motivated in helping students learn the fundamentals of math in order to expand both knowledge and love for the subject. I am currently a junior at Western Kentucky University majoring in applied mathematics, and plan to further my career in graduate school. I love teaching others math and am devoted to facilitating the learning of math to individual students through means that are geared towards those specific students.
Education & Certification
- Western Kentucky University - Current Undergrad Student, Applied Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
- SAT Subject Tests
- Technology and Coding
- +49 subjects

Naftali: ISEE test prep instructor
...in Dramatic Writing with an emphasis on Screenwriting and a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Studies. I have tutored and taught for Kaplan Test Prep in the past. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about English and Writing. In my experience, there is no best approach for how to tutor students. Every student is different and should be taught in a way that helps them better understand both...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Current Undergrad, Dramatic Writing
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Reading
- SAT Subject Tests
- 12th Grade Reading
- +54 subjects