If you are looking for the perfect Salt Lake City ISEE prep course for your student's needs, Varsity Tutors offers a comprehensive course worth your attention. The ISEE, or Independent School Entrance Examination, is a high-stakes test utilized by independent and magnet schools as an objective way to compare applicants from different backgrounds. It is offered to students going into second grade and up, split into four levels (Primary grades 2-4, Lower 5-6, Middle 7-8, Upper 9+) in order to ensure that each test-taker receives an appropriate academic challenge.
No matter which level ISEE your student is preparing for, we can enroll them in a Salt Lake City ISEE class that covers all of the academic concepts on the exam plus test-taking strategies that could improve their self-confidence on exam day. Continue reading to learn more about how we can help you.
What content areas are typically covered in a Salt Lake City ISEE course?
The Primary Level ISEE is split into three separate exams according to a student's age (Primary 2, Primary 3, and Primary 4). Every test has multiple-choice Math and Reading sections, and Primary 2 also has an exclusive Auditory Comprehension section to measure how well a young test-taker understands spoken material. Each exam also has a writing prompt centered around a picture prompt, providing a glimpse into each student's personality and creativity.
The other three ISEE levels (Lower, Middle, and Upper) all have the same basic structure, though the material gets more challenging as the test-taker gets older. The format consists of five sections: Verbal Reasoning (40 multiple-choice questions in 20 minutes), Quantitative Reasoning (37 questions over 35 minutes), Reading Comprehension (36 items in 35 minutes), Math Achievement (47 questions in 40 minutes), and a timed 30-minute Essay.
Here is a closer look at what students can expect on each section of the exam:
Verbal Reasoning
The assessment's Verbal Reasoning section evaluates a test-taker's vocabulary skills through a series of items regarding synonyms and sentence completions. It isn't feasible to try to memorize every individual word that could appear on the test, so developing a working knowledge of Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, suffixes, and the parts of speech can help a student determine what an unknown word signifies. Students may also be encouraged to read in their spare time to practice using context to define unfamiliar terms.
Quantitative Reasoning
The exam's Quantitative Reasoning section measures a student's mathematical thinking skills, leaving mathematical operations skills to a separate part of the test. Possible topics include the four basic operations and simple probability on the Lower Level ISEE, square roots and the distributive property on the Middle Level ISEE, and exponents and algebraic variables on the Upper Level ISEE.
Reading Comprehension
The test's Reading Comprehension component assesses a test-taker's critical thinking and reading comp skills through a series of passage-based questions. All test-takers need to identify a passage's main idea, an author's intent with a given piece, and its organizational structure. Students taking the Middle Level ISEE and above also need to make inferences based on what they've read and recognize the difference between literal and figurative language. The Upper Level ISEE introduces literary genres to the equation, as test-takers are expected to compare words across genre lines.
Math Achievement
The examination's Math Achievement section stresses a student's ability to actually solve math problems. Possible topics include estimation and percentages on the Lower Level ISEE, prime factorization and proportion on the Middle Level ISEE, and coordinate grids and statistics on the Upper Level ISEE.
Writing
The ISEE's Writing section is not scored, but a copy of your student's work is provided to each school they apply to allow the pertinent admissions department to evaluate their work for themselves. The prompt is structured as a letter of introduction, allowing prospective students to introduce themselves to a school. That said, conventions such as grammar and punctuation are considered as well.
Why should I enroll my student in a Salt Lake City ISEE course?
Every Salt Lake City ISEE class we provide takes place on a live virtual platform, which is basically an online classroom that makes students feel as though they are attending a physical class without the corresponding logistical hassle. Your student will be able to interact with their teacher and their classmates in real time, so asking for help is as easy as raising a hand. Your student's instructor will also be a great communicator with a strong knowledge base about the ISEE, allowing your student to trust everything they hear in class.
Studying with other students in a Salt Lake City ISEE class also provides several advantages. Everyone can work together to establish a collaborative learning environment that may make it easier to develop a fuller understanding of academic concepts. For example, talking over a concept with a peer can make the material feel more approachable than an adult instructor. Students are also free to help each other out during a class so that students can hear alternate perspectives on a topic.
Working in a group also allows each member of that group to split the bill, making standardized test prep more affordable than you might believe. If you feel as though your student could benefit from individualized attention to overcome a particular learning obstacle, you are also free to arrange private study time with the teacher for a little extra help.
Perhaps most importantly, we try to make attending a class as convenient as we can. We offer both two- and four-week class options to make it easier to find a fit for your busy schedule. We also start new classes every week, so it's always a good time for your student to start pursuing their academic goals.
Can I sign my student up for a Salt Lake City ISEE course today?
Sure. Reach out to an expert educational consultant using the contact info provided on this page to learn more about the benefits of taking a Salt Lake City ISEE course and get the enrollment process started. Varsity Tutors looks forward to helping you in any way we are able!

Brian: Salt Lake City ISEE course instructor
...tests, subjects that I just didn't get, and all these other educational obligations had me perplexed. I was lucky enough to acquire a great tutor of my own who helped navigate through my studies. Test-taking strategies and deeper comprehension of certain topics was exactly what I needed to get through my classes and tests. Along with a great study plan, I hope to employ a similar type of experience for those who really want to...
Education & Certification
- University of Utah - Current Undergrad, Chemical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ISEE- Upper Level
- Algebra
- ACT English
- +14 subjects

Dane: Salt Lake City ISEE course instructor
...University of Utah where I completed my B.S. Applied Mathematics. Now, I am working on a Ph.D. Mathematics while I travel around Europe with my family. I am in love with the beauty of mathematics, and being able to help other people understand it! Being able to use programming to solve math problems is really cool, and being able to use math to solve programming problems is even better. But the absolute best part about...
Education & Certification
- University of Utah - Bachelor of Science, Applied Mathematics
- Chemnitz University of Technology - Master of Science, Computational Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- College Algebra
- CLEP Calculus
- Probability
- +84 subjects

Julia: Salt Lake City ISEE course instructor
...very amateur photos of the glorious mountains surrounding me. I also enjoy writing and directing plays for my church. Why do I love online tutoring? Online tutoring gives students and their parents much more flexibility in scheduling tutoring sessions. Online tutoring also offers tutoring help at a much more affordable rate as well. I have been able to successfully tutor students online as young as five years old. I love when my students are so...
Education & Certification
- Angelo State University - Bachelors, Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Phonics
- SSAT
- College English
- +11 subjects
Education & Certification
- Brigham Young University-Provo - Bachelor of Science, Human Development and Family Studies
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Piano
- English
- Flute
- +58 subjects

Yvan: Salt Lake City ISEE course instructor
I absolutely love teaching! I want to be a math teacher. I currently hold an associate's degree and am working towards a bachelor's degree in Mathematics Education. I have been a math tutor for seven years now and I've loved every second.
Education & Certification
- Brigham Young University-Provo - Bachelor of Science, Mathematics Teacher Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Elementary School Math
- ACCUPLACER Arithmetic
- IB Further Mathematics
- +138 subjects

Roberta: Salt Lake City ISEE course instructor
Every student has their own unique talents. Every student has the ability to master information. Every student can succeed in different ways and on different days.... There is value in all learning though we may not recognize it while we are going through it. But one piece of information, one skill we mastered, will one day be critical in achieving a goal we really want. Hard work is the price we pay for getting to that place where we can enjoy learning and doing.
Education & Certification
- Shenandoah University - Bachelors, Music Education
- Boston University - Masters, Education
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Social Studies
- Math
- World History
- +24 subjects

Sarah: Salt Lake City ISEE course instructor
...as a tutor is to give students the confidence and foundational skills necessary to be independent learners. I do this by creating a personal connection, pairing learning with focused fun. My work experience includes working one-on-one with students K-4th grade in math and reading, working and fostering growth within teenagers through goal setting, and creating systems to increase ACT scores. My dream is to tutor a student in beginning American Sign Language.
Education & Certification
- Utah Valley University - Associate in Science, General Studies
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Managerial Accounting
- AP Microeconomics
- Elementary School Reading
- +58 subjects

Phoebe: Salt Lake City ISEE course instructor
...teach fourth grade, which I love! In my experience working with students, I have always enjoyed working on reading skills and creating fun ways to learn math. I am a huge believer in the importance of education and fully believe in the success of all students. In my spare time, I enjoy baking various desserts, quilting, and kayaking around the Bay Area. I, also, love to read and am always happy to curl up with...
Education & Certification
- Bates College - Bachelor in Arts, Religious Studies
- Mills College - Master of Arts Teaching, Elementary School Teaching
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Adult Literacy
- ISEE- Middle Level
- World Religions
- +22 subjects

Cera: Salt Lake City ISEE course instructor
...very hands-on tutor. I believe that working directly with things and especially working on projects of interest helps us learn and make connections better than anything else. I love analogies, experiments, and anything else that helps bring the problems off the page and into the student's life. I love to invent and build things and I spend most of my spare time working on humanitarian teams through my university or sewing my own clothing.
Education & Certification
- Brigham Young University-Provo - Bachelor of Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT English
- Other
- French
- +72 subjects

Natalie: Salt Lake City ISEE course instructor
...second time to become an elementary school teacher. Four years later I am graduating with a second bachelors degree in elementary education December 2020. My student teaching experience occurred during the pandemic in an online environment. In these unusual circumstances, I was successful teaching and creating meaningful relationships with my students. I strive to help my students gain confidence in themselves and their abilities by strengthening their fundamental understanding of concepts. I also work to...
Education & Certification
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston - Doctor of Medicine, Community Health and Preventive Medicine
- Utah State University - Bachelor of Science, Elementary School Teaching
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Math
- Other
- Late Elementary Reading Comprehension
- +24 subjects