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.
Kelsey: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...to the study tactics she developed during her formative elementary and high school years, and she believes that all students (regardless of their field of focus) need to build a solid foundation in writing, reading comprehension, grammatical and syntactical knowledge, and time management techniques. Kelsey has experience working with students of all ages and a...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- HSPT
- GED
- +79 subjects
Jacob: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...someone you care about reach their potential. For my own academic history, I scored in the 99th percentile on all three sections of the SAT, as well as attaining a score of 5 on the AP Statistics, US Government, US History, and English Literature and Composition exams. I completed my BA in Government in December...
Education & Certification
- Wesleyan University - Bachelors, Government
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- REGENTS
- SSAT
- SAT
- +69 subjects
Naftali: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...taught in a way that helps them better understand both the subject matter in front of them and themselves as a student. I believe that the healthy combination of creativity and patience can lead to the solution of almost any problem in life. In my spare time, I enjoy reading (graphic and classic) novels, practicing...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Current Undergrad, Dramatic Writing
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- PSAT
- HSPT
- +54 subjects
Amy: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...I am a diligent worker and consistently ensure that I am prepared to meet the student's needs. I am exceptionally patient and excellent at developing creative ways for learning when I see a student needs a new approach. Further, from years of experience taking standardized tests (including the SAT and MCAT), AP classes, college courses,...
Education & Certification
- Middlebury College - Bachelors, Neuroscience
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- SHSAT
- SAT
- +60 subjects
Anne: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...it all comes from a place where the mind is trying to incorporate new information. There is nothing worse than an expert "teacher" who has forgotten what the various stages of learning was like! I work with students of all ages and in all the subjects I've listed. I look forward to hearing from you...
Education & Certification
- Bard College - Bachelors, Russian Studies
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Current Grad Student, Physical Therapy
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- GED
- PSAT
- TACHS
- +70 subjects
Megan: New York ISEE test prep 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
- SSAT
- HSPT
- ACT
- +41 subjects
Foster: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...Vanderbilt University in Nashville, earning my B.A. in Theatre. I moved to New York City right after graduation, and right at the same time as the COVID pandemic began. What can I say? I'm a lucky guy! To cope with the postponement of my theatre graduate program (and with an eye on my future financial...
Education & Certification
- Vanderbilt University - Bachelor in Arts, Theater Arts
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- SHSAT
- HSPT
- +31 subjects
Alex: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...help the student construct an analytical argument. In subjects related to math, I review the foundational concepts in a certain topic before proceeding to assist the student with specific example problems. I always make sure to make my lessons enjoyable and relatable, so that the students attention remain on the subject matter. I am also...
Education & Certification
- Stanford University - Bachelor in Arts, Applied Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- +100 subjects
James: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...hard to get to know the format of the tests and the most popular types of questions. I tutor because I love seeing students develop a genuine passion for the subjects they once disliked (such as math and science), once they understand the power of these subjects and their applications to the real world.
Education & Certification
- Harvard University - Bachelor in Arts, Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +45 subjects
Aaron: New York ISEE test prep 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
- CogAT
- SAT
- ACT
- +61 subjects
Jillian: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...in a bilingual New York City public school. One of the aspects of tutoring that I always look forward to is when students are able to confidently join their peers. In order to succeed in math, I approach each problem as a puzzle, and I encourage my students to try this out.... I believe everyone has the potential to excel given the proper environment. Working with a tutor, a student is able to receive lessons customized to his or her learning style. Most importantly, it is essential to create an environment in which questions are encouraged.
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor in Arts, Mathematics and Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- GED
- PSAT
- +78 subjects
Margot: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...taught me the value and impact of teachers who really support their students and value their student-teacher relationships. That's why, in my own work with students, I show them that I am truly invested in them not just as a student, but as a person--I want the best for them and am willing to help...
Education & Certification
- Dartmouth College - Bachelors, Double Major in Music and Theater
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- TACHS
- ACT
- SAT
- +57 subjects
Clio: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...to dance both ballet, modern, and to whatever songs my roommates and I play. I would love to be your tutor. I have been working with Varsity for the last 4 years and have watched and learned how the standardized tests have changed. I'm extremely passionate about learning to work the convoluted system that makes...
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Current Undergrad, Film Studies and Political Science
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SHSAT
- HSPT
- SSAT
- +53 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
- PSAT
- SAT
- AP Statistics
- +32 subjects
Jason: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...I am especially passionate about foreign languages, the humanities, and social sciences. I received four consecutive gold medals on the National Latin Exam when I was in 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....
Education & Certification
- Vassar College - Bachelors, Drama (education minor)
- CUNY Graduate School and University Center - Masters, Linguistics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- GED
- CLEP
- PSAT
- +90 subjects
Aileen: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...Mathematics. I was a 2011 Math for America Fellow; Math for America is a selective five - year program with a mission of improving secondary math education. I hold professional certifications in New York State for Mathematics Grades 7 - 12, Mathematics Grades 5 - 6, and Students with Disabilities (Generalist) Grades 7 - 12....
Education & Certification
- Manhattan College - Bachelors, Secondary Math Education
- New York University - Masters, Secondary Math Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- SAT
- +43 subjects
Sarah: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...know exactly what top colleges are looking for, and I'm ready to help you get into the school of your dreams. Whether you need tutoring in the Humanities, test prep strategies, or individualized essay assistance, I know that I can help you achieve your goals and reach academic success. Thanks for reading, and I look...
Education & Certification
- Tulane University of Louisiana - Bachelor in Arts, Anthropology
- Universitaet fuer Musik und darstellende Kunst - Certificate, Music Performance
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- HSPT
- +89 subjects
Emma: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...and other standardized tests, because I believe that with enough practice and some solid test-taking strategies, anyone can master these. As a former Division I runner, I've 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...
Education & Certification
- Harvard University - Bachelors, Neurobiology major, Economics minor
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- HSPT
- SSAT
- SAT
- +44 subjects
Jude: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...For me, I've found that a holistic approach to subjectscritical thinking, essay structure, test-taking skillsis the best way to ensure success. My favorite subjects to teach are in Liberal Arts and test prep, but I like challenging myself as well. In addition to teaching, I really love traveling, riding my bike, sweaters, rain, flowers, and...
Education & Certification
- University of New Mexico-Main Campus - Bachelors, English
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- +101 subjects
Noah: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...extensively on campus. I have years of experience teaching students of all ages in different subjects, and I am excited to work with new clients to help them find success! Whether you are looking to score in the 99th percentile or just to get through a challenging course, I would love to help you reach...
Education & Certification
- Tufts University - Bachelors, International Relations/Arabic
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- PSAT
- ISAT
- +65 subjects