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.

Diptesh: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...a pre-medical undergraduate at New York University studying Global Public Health with a concentration in Chemistry. I have been passionate about education since high school and have been teaching, tutoring, and mentoring students from grades 6-12 and college in a variety of subjects since! I specialize in mathematics and science tutoring as well as standardized exam preparation. In the past, I have helped students achieve significant improvements and success on the SAT, SHSAT, Regents and...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor of Science, Global Public Health & Chemistry
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- REGENTS
- SHSAT
- +88 subjects

Noah: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...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 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...
Education & Certification
- Tufts University - Bachelors, International Relations/Arabic
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT
- ISAT
- +65 subjects

Daniel: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...from Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College with a double-major in Biology and Psychology. Throughout college, I volunteered as a Biology tutor at my school's tutoring center, teaching assistant in 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...
Education & Certification
- CUNY Hunter College - Bachelor in Arts, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- WISC IV
- HSPT
- SAT Subject Tests
- +54 subjects

Jordan: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...she has to say, but has not yet discovered how he or she can say it. In addition, Ive been tutoring reading, writing, algebra, and SAT prep. I had a difficult time with the multiple choice reading and writing sections in high school, and I empathize with students who struggle with that format, with students who have trouble narrowing their ideas into one single-letter answer. My teaching technique is one that Ive learned from favorite...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelors, Theatre
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- ACT
- Literature
- +26 subjects

Theresa: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...supplementary SAT help to our school's most advanced students. Now, I am seeking teaching positions for writing as I transition to graduate school next year at Columbia University for fiction. My entire academic career has focused on meaning that could be derived from literature, and articulating those ideas through written or verbal communication. When I began teaching, I emphasized to my students the importance of these skills, and assured them that the ability to read,...
Education & Certification
- Rutgers University, New Brunswick - Bachelors, Double Major in English and Psychology
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Masters, Masters of Fine Arts in Fiction
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- +58 subjects

Andrew: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...summer I am working as a clinic instructor for a learning center geared towards individuals with learning disabilities. I have a strong interest in working with children, and young adults, having tutored since middle school and spent a year as a teaching assistant for elementary reading and math. I have excelled in many standardized tests, including PSAT, SAT, SAT II, and AP tests, and I am happy to offer tutoring regarding both subject matter and...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Current Undergrad, Biological Sciences
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- PSAT
- +69 subjects

Nathan: New York ISEE test prep instructor
Hi! My name is Nathan and I'm currently a junior at New York University's Stern School of Business. I graduated from Staten Island Technical High School in 2016 and I am always looking to help and share my specialization in SHSAT, SAT, and Math!
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelor in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- +36 subjects

Erin: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...school math. I also taught a class of first graders in my parish. I feel that the most important part of learning is understanding. Using my experiences as both a tutor and as a student, I work with students to help them reach a high understanding of the subject material. Instead of giving a student the answer outright, I will talk the problem out with them and help them to reach the answer themselves. I...
Education & Certification
- New Jersey Institute of Technology - Bachelors, Architecture
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- HSPT
- SAT Subject Tests
- SAT
- +33 subjects

Dylan: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...have always enjoyed working with students and there are few experiences more rewarding than getting a child over his or her fear of a subject that they find difficult. It was not easy, but I have even managed to convince people that math is not some bizarre form of torture. It can even be fun. I promise! As a tutor my primary goal is not to teach towards specific problems. Rather, it is to establish...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Current Undergrad Student, Economics
- Cornell University - Current Undergrad Student, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Advanced Placement
- HSPT
- SAT
- +78 subjects

Elisheva: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...is an incredibly challenging as well as rewarding occupation. As a lifelong learner, I love to help others understand a topic they are struggling with. I feel that the tutor gains as much as the student from the experience. As a tutor, I believe that students will enjoy learning if they understand the material rather than memorize it, so I always strive to clarify the underlying principles and central themes of any topic I am...
Education & Certification
- Adelphi University - Bachelor in Business Administration, Business Administration and Management
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- CLEP
- SAT
- SSAT
- +60 subjects

Emmelina: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...middle and high school Math and Writing. Since I've been in intense academic settings for a lot of my life (Stuyvesant High School, University of Chicago, and now Columbia University), I always try to be a personable and positive figure with my tutees, because I understand what it's like at that age to have so much stress put upon you to improve your scores by X amount of points, and I want them to feel...
Education & Certification
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Bachelor in Arts, Environmental Science
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- ACT
- SHSAT
- +51 subjects

Farah : New York ISEE test prep instructor
...with various educational backgrounds and skill levels. As an Academic Success and Enrichment Program (ASEP) biology teacher's assistant in the summer and school year, I tutored underprivileged incoming first years by hosting weekly sessions as well as aided them with lab work. Through these programs, I have developed various techniques and tools that effectively allows students from all kinds of backgrounds to master course material. I created my own worksheets, fun activities and games that...
Education & Certification
- Barnard College of Columbia University - Bachelors, Biological Sciences
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- REGENTS
- PSAT
- HSPT
- +36 subjects

Christopher: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...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 teaching Roman Republican history can be very useful for students in understanding how a society functioned, which is crucial for their understanding of causality of events. These methods of approaching teaching in these particular...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Current Undergrad, Classics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- SAT
- English Grammar and Syntax
- +21 subjects

Alana: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...am a medical student pursuing my MD in NYC. I graduated from Haverford College with a Bachelor's of Science in Molecular Biology and a minor in Spanish Literature. Since high school, I have tutored various subjects including biology, math, Spanish, and English. In college, I was accepted into the Mentoring and Student Teaching Program for underserved children in Philadelphia. I served as a science and english tutor for three years, while tutoring my peers in...
Education & Certification
- Haverford College - Bachelor of Science, Cellular and Molecular Biology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- SSAT
- HSPT
- +56 subjects

Anne: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...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 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...
Education & Certification
- Bard College - Bachelors, Russian Studies
- Columbia University in the City of New York - Current Grad Student, Physical Therapy
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- TACHS
- SHSAT
- ACT
- +70 subjects

Emma: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...recent graduate from Harvard University, where I majored in Neurobiology with a minor in Economics. I particularly enjoy tutoring for the SAT 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...
Education & Certification
- Harvard University - Bachelors, Neurobiology major, Economics minor
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- ACT
- PSAT
- +44 subjects

Saad: New York ISEE test prep instructor
I am a Finance major at Mercy College in New York, having transferred this Fall from Vanderbilt University in Nashville. My goal to simply help my students achieve the results they desire and to help them set up the habits which will let them reproduce these results in the future.
Education & Certification
- Mercy College - Bachelor of Science, Finance
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- ACT
- SAT
- +34 subjects

Megan: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...am an undergraduate student at Northeastern University majoring in Speech Language Pathology. I enjoy working with individuals to build upon their strengths 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...
Education & Certification
- Northeastern University - Current Undergrad, Speech Language Pathology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- HSPT
- SAT
- +41 subjects

Daniel: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...recent graduate of Northwestern University, where I studied sociology, theatre, and legal studies. As a high achiever throughout high school and college, I've always viewed education as one of our most valuable resources and am passionate about expanding the educational prospects of others. I have worked as a TA and recently spent a summer creating content for educational programs for disadvantaged populations. My priority as a tutor is truly meeting every student where they are...
Education & Certification
- Northwestern University - Bachelors, Sociology and Theatre
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- SSAT
- PSAT
- +48 subjects

Thomas: New York ISEE test prep instructor
...a 25-year-old Yale graduate. I 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...
Education & Certification
- Yale University - Bachelors, History
- Yale University - Masters, History
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- ACT
- SSAT
- +20 subjects