The ISEE has four levels: Primary (grades 2-3), Lower (grades 4-5), Middle (grades 6-7), and Upper (grades 8-11). Each level assesses grade-appropriate skills and content. Your student's level depends on the grade they're currently in and the grade they're applying to—most students take the test in the year before they plan to enroll at their target school. Checking with your prospective school will clarify which level your student needs.

Many students struggle with the ISEE's fast pace and reasoning-heavy questions, particularly in the verbal and quantitative sections where test-taking strategy matters as much as content knowledge. Reading comprehension passages are dense and require strong inference skills, while quantitative reasoning questions test problem-solving approaches rather than just computational ability. Time management is another frequent challenge—students often spend too long on difficult questions and run out of time for easier ones they could answer quickly.

Personalized tutoring identifies your student's specific strengths and gaps rather than using a one-size-fits-all curriculum. A tutor can focus intensive practice on the question types and content areas where your student struggles most, teach strategic approaches tailored to how your student thinks, and adjust pacing based on mastery—something impossible in a classroom setting. This targeted approach typically leads to faster improvement and more confident test-taking.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent tutoring before test day, meeting 1-2 times per week, though the timeline depends on your student's starting point and target score. Some students need just a few sessions to refine strategy and build confidence, while others benefit from longer preparation to strengthen foundational skills in reading or math. Your tutor can assess your student's current level during an initial session and recommend a realistic timeline based on their needs and your test date.

Look for tutors with proven experience preparing students specifically for the ISEE—not just general standardized test prep—and ideally those who have scored well on the exam themselves or worked with many successful students. Strong ISEE tutors understand the nuances of each level, know which strategies work best for different question types, and can diagnose exactly where a student is losing points. They should also be able to explain their teaching approach and share examples of how they've helped students improve.

Score improvement varies based on starting point, but students working with a tutor typically see gains of 5-15 percentile points or more, depending on how focused and consistent their preparation is. Some students improve dramatically in specific sections (like verbal reasoning) where targeted strategy makes a big difference, while others see steady progress across all areas. The most important factor is identifying your student's baseline through a practice test, then working with a tutor to address specific weaknesses rather than studying broadly.

A strong first session typically includes a diagnostic assessment—often a practice ISEE section or full test—to identify your student's current level, strengths, and specific areas of struggle. The tutor will discuss your student's goals, learning style, and test timeline, then outline a personalized prep plan. This foundation allows the tutor to begin targeted instruction immediately in the second session rather than spending weeks on general review.