If your student's preparing to take one of the six versions of the ISEE, you ought to consider enrolling them in a New York City ISEE prep course provided by Varsity Tutors. These classes take place live online, and your student can interact with their instructor and classmates during class while they review the material that will be tested on the ISEE, along with the test structure and other details.
The ISEE, or Independent School Entrance Exam, delivers an advanced awareness of your child's abilities and personality, which helps admissions officials at private or independent schools throughout the admission process. Many other factors are considered, but the ISEE is considered a reliable tool and is taken into consideration with each student's application packet.
What subjects are covered in a New York City ISEE course?
Basic academic topics including reading, English, math, and writing are tested on the ISEE. Each subject is evaluated at an age-appropriate level on the different versions of the ISEE. The Primary Level has three discrete versions called Primary 2 for students entering 2nd grade, Primary 3 for students entering 3rd grade, and Primary 4 for students entering 4th grade. The Lower Level is for students entering grades 5 or 6; the Middle Level is for students entering grades 7 or 8; and the Upper Level is for students entering grades 9 through 12. Following is a quick description of each subject at each level.
There's a unique auditory comprehension section on the Primary 2 ISEE. Students listen to both fiction and nonfiction passages and answer a few questions about them. The rest of the Primary Level exams have the same content. Primary Levels 2, 3, and 4 have age-appropriate multiple-choice questions in the Reading and Math sections. Students are also given a visual prompt and required to write an unscored story about the picture. Although this Writing Sample isn't scored, schools do review it to get an idea of each student's creativity, writing ability, and personality.
The Lower, Middle, and Upper Level ISEE all include sections on Quantitative Reasoning, Math Achievement, Verbal Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and an Essay.
Students are appraised on their proficiency with mathematical thinking in the Quantitative Reasoning section and their mathematical operations skills on the Math Achievement section. Both sections require students to demonstrate their knowledge of age-appropriate math skills, and only the approach they take is different. Questions involve algebra, data analysis, numbers and operations, problem-solving, and data analysis and probability, among other math skills.
The Verbal Reasoning sections use sentence-completion synonym questions in order to gauge each student's English skills. The expectation is for them to know age-appropriate vocabulary, parts of speech, context and word clues for understanding. Other English skills tested are the use of prefixes, suffixes, and root words from Anglo-Saxon, Latin, and Greek to determine the meaning of words they may not know.
For the Reading Comprehension section, students are evaluated on their abilities to understand main and supporting ideas, grade-appropriate vocabulary, cause and effect relationships, author's intent or purpose, and drawing conclusions or making inferences based on what's stated in the passages. Students will need to discriminate between literal and figurative language, compare and contrast information, and use the material learned in a passage to answer related questions. Again, similar content is tested at varying age levels.
Finally, students respond to a prompt about a subject believed to have relevance to students in each grade level with an essay. Students are responsible for planning and writing a written piece that is well organized and uses grade-appropriate writing skills including grammar, spelling, and various other English writing conventions. Schools review these written pieces because they want to know more about each student and their abilities, and reading their responses to these topics is a good way to do so. This essay isn't the same as college entrance exam essays, as adding in their thoughts and opinions is highly encouraged.
Your student will receive much more in-depth coverage of this material throughout their New York City ISEE course. Studies have shown that collaborating with their classmates and instructor can help your student learn and retain information. If they hit a block on a concept or topic and find it more difficult than it is for the other students, you can sign your student up for individual tutoring sessions. With focused one-on-one attention, they're likely to very quickly get caught up.
What advantages will my student have from taking a New York City ISEE class to prepare for the test?
There are a variety of ways having your student attend New York City ISEE classes can help them prepare. Some have been mentioned already, but one important aspect of learning with a professional instructor is the opportunity to learn test-taking strategies specifically useful for the ISEE and which can be useful for them on test day.
Standardized exams have their own rules and conventions. What should your child do if they're running out of time? Should they answer quickly to make sure no questions are left blank, or should they do their best and leave some blank? The answer depends on the test they're taking and how unanswered questions are treated. A professional New York City ISEE class instructor can discuss this with your student along with other test-specific strategies.
How can I enroll my student in a New York City ISEE course?
Making the entire ISEE test preparation process as convenient as possible for both students and their parents is important to Varsity Tutors. We offer ISEE courses that run for either two or four weeks, and e also offer a variety of sections that meet at different times and days of the week. You should be able to find a course section that matches your family's schedule. New classes start every week, so whenever you want your student to begin, you can get them started. All you have to do is simply contact Varsity Tutors and let us know your student's needs, goals, and schedule, and we can enroll them in a New York City ISEE course that can meet their needs. We look forward to helping your student as they work towards their goals.
Kelsey: New York ISEE course instructor
...going on to study her Master's of Business & Science in Analytics at Rutgers University. As a lifelong student, she loves tutoring to help others feel passionate about their own educational paths. Kelsey still attributes her academic successes to the study tactics she developed during her formative elementary and high school years, and she believes...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- HSPT
- ACT
- SSAT
- +79 subjects
Jacob: New York ISEE course instructor
...enter a student's life at an especially fraught time. My student's and I work together to figure out what tools they need to succeed. Whether for standardized tests or academic subjects, I look forward to helping you or someone you care about reach their potential. For my own academic history, I scored in the 99th...
Education & Certification
- Wesleyan University - Bachelors, Government
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- TOEFL
- ASVAB
- SAT
- +69 subjects
Naftali: New York ISEE course instructor
...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 the subject matter in front of them and...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Current Undergrad, Dramatic Writing
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SHSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- +54 subjects
Amy: New York ISEE course instructor
...neuroscience. Since college, I have continued tutoring students on a weekly basis in a wide variety of subjects. I graduated from Middlebury College in 2012 with High Honors in Neuroscience, and now plan to attend medical school. I am a diligent worker and consistently ensure that I am prepared to meet the student's needs. I...
Education & Certification
- Middlebury College - Bachelors, Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- TACHS
- SHSAT
- SAT
- +60 subjects
Anne: New York ISEE course instructor
...became a Pilates instructor, and also played drums and wrote music professionally! As a result, I can truly get in the mindset of a student who is learning something - NO question is out-of-bounds or silly - it all comes from a place where the mind is trying to incorporate new information. There is nothing...
Education & Certification
- Bard College - Bachelors, Russian Studies
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Current Grad Student, Physical Therapy
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- TOEFL
- SSAT
- SAT
- +70 subjects
Megan: New York ISEE course instructor
...and give them the tools they need to succeed. I have good study and organizational skills, and I have many tips and tricks to help individuals improve test scores. I really enjoy helping people to reach their full potential in each subject area, and I will do my best to explain concepts in a manner...
Education & Certification
- Northeastern University - Current Undergrad, Speech Language Pathology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- SSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +41 subjects
Foster: New York ISEE course instructor
...enlightening as possible. I am always interested in finding new ways to approach problems, and I value each student for the unique things that only they can bring to the table.* *I studied for three years at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, earning my B.A. in Theatre. I moved to New York City right after graduation,...
Education & Certification
- Vanderbilt University - Bachelor in Arts, Theater Arts
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- HSPT
- ACT
- SHSAT
- +31 subjects
Alex: New York ISEE course instructor
...tailor my tutoring method and style individually. I tutor students in a wide range of subjects. In subjects related to reading and writing, I focus first on the students comprehension of the material at hand and then help the student construct an analytical argument. In subjects related to math, I review the foundational concepts in...
Education & Certification
- Stanford University - Bachelor in Arts, Applied Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- GED
- A Level
- SAT Subject Tests
- +100 subjects
James: New York ISEE course instructor
...the SAT and ACT having prepared several high school students for these tests. I believe that every student is capable of boosting his or her baseline score on these tests, so long as he or she works hard to get to know the format of the tests and the most popular types of questions. I...
Education & Certification
- Harvard University - Bachelor in Arts, Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- SAT
- +45 subjects
Aaron: New York ISEE course instructor
My name is Aaron Jackson. I am a student at Columbia University in the City of New York studying biochemistry on the pre-medicine track. I also enjoy meeting new people, exploring world cultures, and developing my sense of self.
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Bachelor in Arts, Biochemistry
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- CogAT
- ACT
- +61 subjects
Jillian: New York ISEE course instructor
...a recipient of an award from the French Department at NYU. I first became passionate about tutoring in high school, when I would assist other students in mathematics. I also have experience working with elementary school students in a bilingual New York City public school. One of the aspects of tutoring that I always look...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor in Arts, Mathematics and Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- GED
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +78 subjects
Margot: New York ISEE course instructor
...choirs, took ballet and yoga classes, worked as a teaching assistant and stage manager in the Theater Department, and volunteered as an arts teacher in under-served local public elementary schools. Dartmouth expanded my passion for learning and taught me the value and impact of teachers who really support their students and value their student-teacher relationships....
Education & Certification
- Dartmouth College - Bachelors, Double Major in Music and Theater
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- TACHS
- SSAT
- PSAT
- +57 subjects
Clio: New York ISEE course instructor
...and succeed. Even though I'm a humanities gal, I love and miss math. It's so satisfying to determine what 'x' equals instead of arguing endlessly controversial topics; I love doing both. Outside of film and tutoring, I love to dance both ballet, modern, and to whatever songs my roommates and I play. I would love...
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Current Undergrad, Film Studies and Political Science
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SHSAT
- SAT
- HSPT
- +53 subjects
Jessica: New York ISEE course instructor
I'm a student at NYU working on my BM in Vocal Performance. I'm energetic, cheerful, competitive, and I like thinking outside the box. I love figuring things out and learning things and am excited to get to know and teach you!
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor of Fine Arts, Voice and Opera
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- PSAT
- Statistics
- +32 subjects
Jason: New York ISEE course instructor
...high school, so I am eager to help students who are struggling with the subject. I also specialize in the areas of English-language writing, grammar, and reading comprehension. I have wanted to be a teacher from a rather young age, and I am grateful to have the chance to help dedicated students to achieve academically.
Education & Certification
- Vassar College - Bachelors, Drama (education minor)
- CUNY Graduate School and University Center - Masters, Linguistics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- CLEP
- +90 subjects
Aileen: New York ISEE course instructor
...of the student. Outside of teaching, I spend my time engaged in Sports and Arts. I am an avid photographer, graphic designer, soccer player and rower. I've played soccer almost my entire life and took up rowing in high school and rowed at the collegiate level. I started photography in High School and graphic design...
Education & Certification
- Manhattan College - Bachelors, Secondary Math Education
- New York University - Masters, Secondary Math Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- CLEP
- GED
- +43 subjects
Sarah: New York ISEE course instructor
...to each individual student's needs. I specialize in ISEE, PSAT, and SAT prep, English, History, and German tutoring, and college essay coaching. Having worked in undergraduate admissions at a top 50 research university for 3 years, I know exactly what top colleges are looking for, and I'm ready to help you get into the school...
Education & Certification
- Tulane University of Louisiana - Bachelor in Arts, Anthropology
- Universitaet fuer Musik und darstellende Kunst - Certificate, Music Performance
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- HSPT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +89 subjects
Emma: New York ISEE course instructor
...learned the importance of persistence and hard work, and I love sharing these values with my students and helping them to make significant gains. Outside of tutoring, I work as a scientist at a healthcare startup, and when I'm not at work I'm likely to be found running around Central Park, debating public policy, or...
Education & Certification
- Harvard University - Bachelors, Neurobiology major, Economics minor
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT
- SSAT
- +44 subjects
Jude: New York ISEE course instructor
...traveled through Europe and CanadaI've also tutored and taught in Warsaw, Poland, and Toronto! I have worked with learners anywhere from K-undergraduate levels. I really love teaching and helping students focus on the ways they learn best. For me, I've found that a holistic approach to subjectscritical thinking, essay structure, test-taking skillsis the best way...
Education & Certification
- University of New Mexico-Main Campus - Bachelors, English
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- +101 subjects
Noah: New York ISEE course instructor
...scored in at least the 98th percentile on the ISEE, ACT, SAT, and LSAT. While in college, I was president of the Tufts Debate Team for 2 years, have traveled internationally competing in debate tournaments, and tutored extensively on campus. I have years of experience teaching students of all ages in different subjects, and I...
Education & Certification
- Tufts University - Bachelors, International Relations/Arabic
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ISAT
- PSAT
- ACT
- +65 subjects