Finding the right New York City ISEE prep solution for your child doesn't have to be difficult when you take advantage of the help of Varsity Tutors. If your child will be taking one of the ISEE levels, it probably means you are hoping they will be accepted to one of the city's top independent or private schools. These schools rely on the ISEE to give them insight into the academic level of those children who apply.
No matter how well your child has been doing in their studies thus far, giving them an opportunity to review with a skilled instructor can help them work towards doing their best on test day. To learn more about what is covered on the different levels of the ISEE and how Varsity Tutors can help you find the right New York City ISEE prep strategy for your child.
What can New York City ISEE prep cover?
There are four levels of the ISEE; Upper, Middle, Lower, and Primary. The Upper Level is for students entering grades nine through twelve. The Middle Level is for students entering grades seven or eight. The Lower Level is for children entering grades five or six. The Primary Level is comprised of three sublevels; Primary 4, Primary 3, and Primary 2. The Primary Levels correspond to the grade level the child will be entering. All of the levels evaluate your child's grade level appropriate understanding of math and reading. They also all require your child to write an essay that is not graded.
The Upper, Middle, and Lower levels of the ISEE all have the same five core sections; Math Achievement, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and an Essay. Students will have have the same amount of time for these sections to answer the same number of questions. The specific skills evaluated throughout the sections are based on the grade level.
In the Math Achievement section of the exam, your child will have 40 minutes to answer 47 questions. In the Quantitative Reasoning section, they will have 35 minutes to answer 37 questions. These sections evaluate your child's mathematical thinking and math operation skills. Some of the math skills and concepts your child may need to review, depending on their grade level include solving equations, data analysis and probability, basic math operations, measurement, geometry, working with variables and exponents, integers, fractions, square roots, decimals, estimation, ratios and proportion, prime factorization, and various algebraic concepts.
For the Verbal Reasoning portion of the exam, your child will have 20 minutes to answer 40 questions. In the Reading Comprehension section, they will have 35 minutes to answer 36 items. These sections measure your child's English language and reading comprehension skills. A few of the English language and reading skills your child can review with the help of a professional ISEE prep resource include parts of speech, root words, prefixes, suffixes, synonyms, comparing and contrasting, identifying an author's intent, cause and effect, figurative and literal language, and determining the meaning of a word from context clues.
Your child will have 30 minutes to respond to one writing prompt in the Essay section of the test. Although the Essay isn't graded, a copy of your child's response is sent to the schools to which your child applies. It is an opportunity for them to demonstrate their competency with skills such as sentence structure, creativity, organization, punctuation, and grammar. As part of their ISEE preparation, they can work on developing these skills so they can accurately represent their unique style and personality.
The three core sections of the Primary Level are Reading, Mathematics, and a Writing Sample. As with the other levels, the writing sample is not graded but should still be considered during preparation efforts. The Primary Level 2 ISEE has an additional section for students to complete that focuses on their auditory comprehension. During this section the students have a passage read to them, and they then answer questions based on the information presented. Some of the skills your child may need to review before taking one the Primary Levels of the ISEE include vocabulary, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and reading comprehension.
Professional New York City ISEE preparation can help your student prepare for their upcoming exam whether they need targeted help on specific skills or a comprehensive overview of multiple subjects.
How can a New York City ISEE prep class help my child prepare?
Prep classes are ideal for students who need a comprehensive overview and who thrive in group learning environments. Having the support of peers who are all focused on a common goal is highly motivating for many students. Classes are held in a secure online environment and are structured similarly to a traditional classroom. The teacher will present the curriculum to the class and may then work with children individually answering questions or facilitate group projects or conversations to support greater understanding of specific topics.
You can choose between two and four-week classes to ensure your child has an appropriate amount of time to prepare. Each class is made of individual sections, and new sections begin each week. This means your child can get started right away with their prep efforts.
How is working with a New York City ISEE tutor different from taking a course?
The two biggest differences between working with a tutor and taking a course are the amount of personalized instruction your child can receive and how sessions are scheduled. When working with a private tutor, your child's lessons will be tailored to their specific learning style, academic needs, and scoring goals while classes offer a more generalized approach that focuses equally on all areas. You and your needs determine the schedule of a private session while a course has designated times that your child must attend.
How can I get my child started with New York City ISEE prep?
Varsity Tutors can help you quickly sign your child up for a New York City ISEE prep course or connect you with a private ISEE tutor who can work one-on-one with your child. We know that education isn't a one method fits all proposition, which is why we want to support you in providing your child what they need to maximize their test preparation efforts. Contact Varsity Tutors now to get started today.

Crosby: New York ISEE test prep instructor
Through my professional experience as a Special Education middle school teacher, I have developed a unique toolkit of strategies to support students in mastering new and challenging skills. Central to my philosophy as an educator is the fact that all students are...... I believe in a strengths-based approach to teaching. All people have natural strengths. It is the job of a teacher to help students realize these strengths, and leverage these strengths to overcome their weaknesses.
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelors, Anthroplogy
- Long Island University-Brooklyn Campus - Masters, Special Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Math
- Social Studies
- Elementary Math
- +34 subjects

Moriah: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...In the recent years at the school, I have been focusing more on the Reading portions of standardized tests but have at times assisted students in the math and science portions as well usually one-on-one. I strongly believe that every students has their own style of learning and must learn at their own pace. Although, sometimes giving them too much leeway may not always be the best solution, I am there to also provide encouragement...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor in Arts, Music
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Chemistry
- REGENTS
- SAT Writing and Language
- +61 subjects

Jessica: New York ISEE test prep 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
- Middle School Reading Comprehension
- Middle School English
- Music Theory
- +32 subjects

Christopher: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...most classicists, focus on syntax and clause structure--in particular I find that understanding the clause structure of any language, ancient or modern, analytic or synthetic, is crucial in intuitively understanding the meaning of a sentence. In history I try to help students understand the "historical method" as easily as possible through exposure to historical sources and understanding of their uses--I also frequently approach history from a so-called "bottom-up" or microhistorical approach, which I've found in...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Current Undergrad, Classics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Languages
- English
- +21 subjects

Dalton: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...accustomed to studying hard on top of participating in countless extra-curricular activities. I graduated highs school and received a diploma from the extremely rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) program, and began attending an Ivy League college, the University of Pennsylvania, in 2016. With all this said, I am confident that I will be able to teach clients effective ways to solve any problems they have. As a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, I am looking...
Education & Certification
- University of Pennsylvania - Bachelor in Arts, Mass Communications
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Environmental Science
- English
- High School Writing
- +53 subjects

Joanna: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...siblings I have. I love seeing understanding light up in a student's eyes when they understand a new concept or finally get something they've been struggling with. When they finally get something, a new path opens to them and a new possibility appears. In my tutoring, the basics are emphasized. The basics are the foundation to understanding bigger and more complicated concepts. Without them, learning becomes a struggle. With them, it can be fun and...
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Middle School Math
- SSAT- Upper Level
- Arithmetic
- +32 subjects

Katherine: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...models of language acquisition. She is also a adjunct lecturer in Computer Science at Hunter College. Tutoring for now nearly a decade, Katherine is passionate about empowering her students to learn through hands-on challenges. She takes particular pride in the confidence and self-reliance her students develop in their work and works hard to create individualized environments where her students, regardless of age, learning style, or subject, flourish. She has a particular knack for test prep...
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology Linguistics
- CUNY Graduate School and University Center - Masters, Linguistics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ISEE- Upper Level
- Pre-Calculus
- GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment
- +55 subjects

Amy: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...and the sciences. In college, I taught a weekly class to local high school students interested in learning about 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 am...
Education & Certification
- Middlebury College - Bachelors, Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Test in Chemistry
- MCAT Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
- HSPT Verbal
- +60 subjects

Elaine: New York ISEE test prep instructor
I am a student at Harvard studying applied math and genetics. I love to learn and teach and will offer enthusiasm and experience towards the subject(s) of interest. As someone who graduated high school only a few years ago, I understand and appreciate the rigor of preparatory school and associated exams, such as the SAT. I will dedicate myself to my students and help them grow towards their academic goals. ... I would get acquainted with the student and get to know how they learn by diving into a relevant question or topic.
Education & Certification
- Harvard University - Current Undergrad, applied math and biomedical engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- English
- College Essays
- Science
- +44 subjects

Noah: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...arts subjects (writing skills, critical reading, etc.) and also have a history of success on multiple standardized tests, having 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 am...
Education & Certification
- Tufts University - Bachelors, International Relations/Arabic
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Adult Literacy
- Middle School
- Essay Editing
- +65 subjects

Emmelina: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...tell me what keeps tripping them up. As someone who has taken many of these tests and succeeded, I know the small things to practice and hone as well as the appropriate work schedule to help students not only understand the material or tests, but be able to noticeably improve their scores and cognitive skills. In high school I tutored students for the SHSAT as well as provided homework help after school near Stuyvesant HS....
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Bachelor in Arts, Environmental Science
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT Writing
- Math
- PSAT Critical Reading
- +51 subjects

Sonali: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...Biology, AP Chemistry, Essay Writing, and AP Psychology. I enjoy working with a variety of students, ages 8-20. In terms of my clients, I like working with dedicated, passionate students who are willing to put in the work to achieve their goals. For me, tutoring is about working with a student until they are able to achieve their goal, and even beyond that so that they have the confidence to continue pursuing their dreams. I'm...
Education & Certification
- CUNY Brooklyn College - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Elementary School Math
- Elementary School English
- Science
- +59 subjects

Naftali: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...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 the subject matter in front of them and themselves...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Current Undergrad, Dramatic Writing
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Short Novel
- High School Writing
- Public Speaking
- +54 subjects

Stephanie: New York ISEE test prep instructor
I graduated from Oberlin College in 2008 with a double degree in math and politics, and then I moved to China. I spent more than four years in China working as a teacher for Chinese and international students. I've taught all different ages and types of students, in subjects ranging from ESL to math to SAT. I love teaching.
Education & Certification
- Oberlin College - Bachelor in Arts, Math, Politics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Calculus 2
- IB Further Mathematics
- +70 subjects

Daniel: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...General Chemistry, and Math tutor at the Special Needs Clinic at New York Presbyterian-Columbia University Medical Center. My motivation for volunteering was kindled by upperclassmen and teacher assistants that helped me when I was in introductory courses. I credit attending weekly tutoring hours throughout college as playing a pivotal role in my success in these courses and the MCAT exam. I enjoy sharing and explaining concepts I understand and helping others appreciate them. Ultimately, through...
Education & Certification
- CUNY Hunter College - Bachelor in Arts, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- AP Chemistry
- Graduate Test Prep
- GRE Subject Test in Psychology
- +54 subjects

Chris: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...I have tutored students both in group settings and on an individualized basis. I offer help in a wide-variety of different subjects. My specialty is English. I can help any student improve their Grammar, Writing Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Phonics and Spelling. Additionally, I can proofread essays and edit papers. There are also other subjects in which I am versed and enjoy teaching, including Mathematics, Spanish, History/Social Studies, test preparation, study skills, public speaking, and college...
Education & Certification
- University of Pennsylvania - Bachelors, English
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Algebra
- Writing
- Creative Writing
- +43 subjects

Karan: New York ISEE test prep instructor
I'm a sophomore at Cornell University, and a recent graduate from Stuyvesant High School (a specialized high school in downtown Manhattan). I have much experience tutoring kids from ages 6 to 18 through the company Allen Mentoring in subjects such as physics, math, english, and history. I have scored a 34 on my ACT exam (out of 36). If you haven't found anyone already, I would be happy to be of assistance. Please let me...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Current Undergrad, Applied Economics and Management
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Algebra
- English
- Physics
- +60 subjects

Jordy: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...schooler, I was one of those students who LOVED standardized tests; I have always viewed them as an exciting way to measure progress and hone in on, not only academic skills, but also time management, organization, and maintaining a sense of personal calm. In fact, I love the entire college application process because I think of it not as an opaque, mysterious world of judgment behind closed doors, but as the first opportunity in a...
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Bachelor in Arts, English Literature, Art History
- Harvard University - Master of Fine Arts, Acting
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Essay Editing
- SAT Subject Tests
- Writing
- +28 subjects

Margot: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...of explaining concepts, or a star student who wants a tutor who will challenge you at new levels, I can help you get there. I am passionate about making every student feel confident and prepared, no matter the academic situation. I began working as a tutor and teacher in high school, and have loved working with students of all ages ever since. I've worked with students from Pre-K through high school and college, teaching and...
Education & Certification
- Dartmouth College - Bachelors, Double Major in Music and Theater
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT- Middle Level
- SAT Subject Test in Literature
- English
- +55 subjects

Julia: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...help instill in others the same love of learning I have felt throughout my life. Whether it's getting lost in a good book or feeling the thrill of excitement at finally solving a difficult math problem, I feel that learning should be fun and viewed as a challenge, not a chore. Throughout my academic career, I have been a well-rounded student, excelling in math as well as language and literature. I am a notoriously good...
Education & Certification
- The College of William & Mary - Bachelors, English & Linguistics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Essay Editing
- Test Prep
- Study Skills
- +41 subjects