The exam includes five sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and an unscored Essay. Each section tests different skills—verbal reasoning focuses on analogies and sentence completions, quantitative reasoning involves logic and word problems, and mathematics achievement covers algebra and geometry concepts typically taught through 9th grade.

Many students struggle with the test's fast pacing and the variety of question types, especially the verbal reasoning section's analogy format, which differs from typical classroom instruction. Time management is another major challenge—students must balance accuracy with speed across five sections. Personalized tutoring helps identify specific weak areas and builds targeted strategies, which is more effective than generic test prep since tutors can focus on your child's unique learning style and pace.

Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to diagnose exactly where your student struggles—whether it's time management, specific question types, or content gaps—and create a customized study plan. In a classroom setting, teachers must move at an average pace for the group, but personalized tutoring adapts in real-time, spending more time on weak areas and accelerating through concepts your student already understands. This targeted approach typically leads to faster improvement and higher confidence on test day.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent preparation, though the ideal timeline depends on starting score, target score, and how frequently your student meets with a tutor. Students who begin with strong foundational skills may need less time, while those addressing significant content gaps may benefit from a longer preparation period. Tutors can assess your student's baseline and recommend a personalized timeline during your first session.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in ISEE preparation and understand the specific demands of the Upper Level exam. Tutors are matched based on your student's needs, learning style, and goals. You can discuss your student's current performance, target schools, and schedule to ensure the right fit from the start.

Score improvement varies based on starting point and effort, but students working with personalized tutors typically see measurable gains within 4-6 weeks of consistent preparation. Many students improve their composite scores by 10-20 percentile points or more, particularly when tutors focus on their weakest sections. The key is identifying specific weak areas early and practicing with targeted strategies rather than generic test prep.

The first session focuses on assessment and planning. Tutors will review your student's academic background, discuss target schools and score goals, and likely administer a practice test or diagnostic to identify strengths and weaknesses. From there, tutors create a personalized study plan that outlines which sections need the most focus, recommended study frequency, and realistic timeline to reach your student's goals.