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Award-Winning ISEE- Upper Level Tutors

Elena

Certified Tutor

Elena

Masters, Biblical Studies
Elena's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SSAT- Upper Level
SSAT- Middle Level

Elena's test-prep specialty and her day job developing middle and high school curricula give her a sharp sense of what ISEE Upper Level questions are actually testing — particularly in the verbal reasoning and reading comprehension sections, where vocabulary in context and main-idea identification t...

Education

University of Edinburgh

Masters, Biblical Studies

Mcgill University

Bachelor in Arts, Religious Studies

James

Certified Tutor

James

Bachelor in Arts, Chemistry
James's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Algebra 3/4
Geometry
Calculus

The Upper Level ISEE packs algebra, geometry, and quantitative reasoning into a format that rewards both accuracy and speed. James — a Harvard chemistry major with deep math tutoring experience — breaks down each section's question patterns so students know what to expect and where to focus their pr...

Education

Harvard University

Bachelor in Arts, Chemistry

Test Scores
SAT
1570

Certified Tutor

Justin

Current Grad Student, Philosophy
Justin's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Quantitative Reasoning
SSAT- Upper Level

Upper Level ISEE quantitative reasoning questions often disguise straightforward math inside tricky phrasing, which is where Justin's philosophy training becomes a real advantage. He teaches students to slow down, parse what's actually being asked, and map each problem to the algebra or geometry con...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Current Grad Student, Philosophy

Test Scores
ACT
34

Certified Tutor

Jessica

PHD, Medicine
Jessica's other Tutor Subjects
College Algebra
Calculus
Algebra
Honors Chemistry

Upper Level ISEE essays and reading comprehension questions demand a sophistication that catches many middle schoolers off guard. Jessica spent years as a certified writing tutor at the University of Pennsylvania, where she learned to give the kind of precise, structured feedback that sharpens a stu...

Education

Nova Southeastern University

PHD, Medicine

University of Pennsylvania

Bachelors, History

University of Pennsylvania

undergraduate

Test Scores
SAT
1540

Certified Tutor

Noah

Bachelor in Arts
Noah's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
PSAT Writing Skills
SSAT- Upper Level

The ISEE Upper Level packs verbal reasoning, quantitative comparisons, reading comprehension, and an essay into a single high-stakes morning. Noah's background building standardized test curricula across skill levels means he can diagnose which section is dragging a student's score down and target i...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1540

Certified Tutor

Margaret

Bachelor in Arts
Margaret's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Pre-Calculus

Upper-level ISEE reading comprehension and vocabulary questions demand a sophistication that catches many students off guard, especially the inferential reasoning passages. Margaret breaks down each question type — main idea, supporting detail, tone — into repeatable strategies that build genuine co...

Education

Princeton University

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1530

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Alex

Bachelor in Arts, Applied Mathematics
Alex's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra

Upper Level ISEE questions in quantitative reasoning and math achievement ramp up quickly into algebraic expressions, geometry proofs, and data interpretation that challenge even strong middle schoolers. Alex's Stanford math background means he can explain the underlying logic behind these problems ...

Education

Stanford University

Bachelor in Arts, Applied Mathematics

Test Scores
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

Scott

Bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology (College Honors)
Scott's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Arithmetic
Middle School Math
Calculus

Upper Level ISEE reading and verbal sections demand a mature vocabulary and the ability to draw inferences from dense, unfamiliar passages — skills that don't come from flashcards alone. Scott builds these abilities by teaching students how to use context clues, eliminate trap answers, and break dow...

Education

Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology (College Honors)

Test Scores
SAT
1580

Certified Tutor

Michelle

Bachelor in Arts
Michelle's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
PSAT Writing Skills

The ISEE Upper Level packs verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, and quantitative comparisons into a single high-stakes sitting — and each section rewards a different kind of thinking. Michelle breaks down the test by section strategy, teaching students how to eliminate answer choices on analogie...

Education

Yale University

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
ACT
35

Certified Tutor

Alexis

Bachelor in Arts
Alexis's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
SSAT- Upper Level
SSAT- Middle Level

The ISEE Upper Level quantitative sections test not just computation but mathematical reasoning — estimating, interpreting data, and choosing efficient solution paths under time pressure. Alexis tackles each of these skill areas through structured practice, teaching students to recognize problem pat...

Education

Princeton University

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
SAT
1470
ACT
32

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Ariela

Current Undergrad, Theater & Performance Studies
Ariela's other Tutor Subjects
9th-12th Grade Math
9th-12th Grade Writing
Pre-Algebra
Calculus

Upper Level ISEE prep demands range — vocabulary in context, reading comprehension across genres, quantitative comparisons, and essay writing, all in one sitting. As a theater and performance studies student who scored a 1590 on the SAT, Ariela brings the organizational instincts of a stage manager ...

Education

University of Chicago

Current Undergrad, Theater & Performance Studies

Test Scores
SAT
1590

Certified Tutor

Vania

Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering
Vania's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
AP Physics 1
Physics

The ISEE Upper Level quantitative sections test concepts from algebra, geometry, and data interpretation under real time pressure, while the verbal and reading sections demand precise vocabulary and inference skills. Vania's engineering mindset brings a systematic approach to each section — identify...

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1590

Certified Tutor

Andrew

PHD, Law, Management
Andrew's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Trigonometry
Elementary Math

The Upper Level ISEE demands versatility: quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and a polished essay, all in one sitting. Andrew's interdisciplinary training — molecular biology, literature, law, and management — means he can coach every section without switching tutors. He's pa...

Education

Boston University

PHD, Law, Management

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelors, Molecular Biology, Literature

Certified Tutor

Miranda

Bachelor in Arts, Religious Studies
Miranda's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
PSAT Writing Skills
SSAT- Upper Level

Upper-level ISEE verbal and reading sections reward the kind of precise, analytical reading that Miranda practiced throughout her Pomona College coursework in philosophy and religious studies. She unpacks reading comprehension questions by teaching students to identify an author's argument structure...

Education

Pomona College

Bachelor in Arts, Religious Studies

Test Scores
SAT
1560

Certified Tutor

Moriah

Bachelor of Arts in Music
Moriah's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Arithmetic

Upper Level ISEE reading comprehension and vocabulary questions often trip up strong students who haven't practiced under timed conditions. Moriah's prep school experience means she knows how to build both the content knowledge and the pacing discipline needed across the verbal reasoning, quantitati...

Education

Cornell University

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Test Scores
SAT
1550

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Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.

Ariela

12th Grade Math Tutor • +41 Subjects

Upper Level ISEE prep demands range — vocabulary in context, reading comprehension across genres, quantitative comparisons, and essay writing, all in one sitting. As a theater and performance studies student who scored a 1590 on the SAT, Ariela brings the organizational instincts of a stage manager to test prep, mapping out which section types need the most rehearsal and building a study plan around each student's weak spots. She's especially effective at teaching the verbal reasoning strategies that separate competitive scores from average ones.

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Vania

Calculus Tutor • +23 Subjects

The ISEE Upper Level quantitative sections test concepts from algebra, geometry, and data interpretation under real time pressure, while the verbal and reading sections demand precise vocabulary and inference skills. Vania's engineering mindset brings a systematic approach to each section — identifying which question types to prioritize and where careless errors tend to creep in. She builds targeted practice plans around each student's weakest areas rather than running through generic drills.

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Andrew

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +106 Subjects

The Upper Level ISEE demands versatility: quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and a polished essay, all in one sitting. Andrew's interdisciplinary training — molecular biology, literature, law, and management — means he can coach every section without switching tutors. He's particularly effective at teaching the verbal reasoning strategies that trip up strong math students and vice versa.

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Miranda

Calculus Tutor • +33 Subjects

Upper-level ISEE verbal and reading sections reward the kind of precise, analytical reading that Miranda practiced throughout her Pomona College coursework in philosophy and religious studies. She unpacks reading comprehension questions by teaching students to identify an author's argument structure before looking at answer choices. On the quantitative side, she drills the specific algebra and geometry concepts that appear most frequently on the exam.

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Moriah

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +50 Subjects

Upper Level ISEE reading comprehension and vocabulary questions often trip up strong students who haven't practiced under timed conditions. Moriah's prep school experience means she knows how to build both the content knowledge and the pacing discipline needed across the verbal reasoning, quantitative, and reading sections.

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Conor

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +42 Subjects

Upper Level ISEE quantitative reasoning leans heavily on algebra, geometry, and the ability to estimate quickly when exact calculation would eat up too much time. Conor's economics background at Yale means he's comfortable with both the mathematical rigor and the strategic shortcuts that make timed sections manageable. He also covers the verbal and reading sections, tackling sentence completions and passage-based questions with the same pattern-driven approach.

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Badeel

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +54 Subjects

Upper-level ISEE reading comprehension and vocabulary questions demand more than a big word list — they require students to decode meaning from context and identify an author's tone in dense passages. Badeel's political science background and years of literature study give him a sharp eye for the rhetorical structures that appear throughout the exam. He also covers the verbal reasoning and sentence completion strategies that tend to make or break ISEE scores.

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Luke

7th Grade Math Tutor • +32 Subjects

ISEE Upper Level prep requires a tutor who can credibly cover quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, and the essay — all in one session if needed. Luke's dual background in English and math makes that range genuine rather than stretched, and he's particularly effective on the verbal reasoning and essay sections where many math-focused tutors struggle. He structures prep around timed practice so students learn to manage the clock, not just the content.

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Ben

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +77 Subjects

Upper Level ISEE questions, especially in reading comprehension and quantitative reasoning, are designed to reward flexible thinking under time pressure. Ben builds that flexibility by drilling students on the specific question formats the ISEE uses — analogies, main idea traps, and multi-step word problems — while teaching them to manage the clock section by section. He's tutored at every ISEE level and holds a 5.0 client rating.

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Jean

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +56 Subjects

Upper-level ISEE questions test verbal reasoning and reading comprehension at a level that trips up even strong students, especially on sentence completions with nuanced vocabulary. Jean's background coaching Harvard undergraduates on competitive scholarship applications gave her a sharp eye for precise language, and she applies that same rigor to breaking down ISEE passages and quantitative comparisons.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Verbal Reasoning section typically gives students the most trouble, particularly the sentence completion questions that require understanding nuanced vocabulary in context. Many students also struggle with pacing in the Reading Comprehension section, where they need to analyze longer passages quickly while retaining key details. The Quantitative Reasoning section challenges students who haven't mastered algebra and geometry fundamentals, especially word problems that require multiple steps. A tutor can diagnose which section is your weak point and build targeted strategies to address it.

Timing is critical—you have about 35 minutes for Verbal Reasoning (60 questions), 40 minutes for Reading Comprehension (36 questions), and 40 minutes for Quantitative Reasoning (37 questions). Many students waste time on difficult questions early on, leaving no time for easier ones later. An effective strategy involves skipping hard questions initially, marking them, and returning after completing all the easier ones. Tutors help you practice this discipline through timed drills and full-length practice tests, teaching you to recognize when to move on and building speed without sacrificing accuracy.

ISEE- Upper Level tests sophisticated vocabulary in context through sentence completion and reading passages, not isolated flashcards. Rather than memorizing lists, focus on understanding how words function within sentences and learning word families (roots, prefixes, suffixes). For example, understanding that "mal" means bad helps you grasp "malign," "malady," and "malicious" as a group. Tutors teach you to use context clues strategically—looking for contrast words ("however," "despite") and definition clues—so you can infer meaning even when you don't know a word. Spaced repetition of challenging words from practice tests is far more effective than generic vocabulary lists.

The Quantitative Reasoning section assumes solid understanding of pre-algebra, algebra, and basic geometry—gaps in any of these areas will tank your score. Tutors use diagnostic practice tests to pinpoint exactly where you're weak: Are you struggling with fractions and decimals? Algebraic expressions? Geometry proofs? Once identified, they build a focused study plan that fills those gaps before moving to ISEE-specific problem-solving strategies. This targeted approach is far more efficient than generic test prep, since you're not wasting time reviewing concepts you already know.

Many students try to read every word carefully, which eats up time and leads to anxiety. Instead, effective readers skim for main ideas and structure first, then reference the passage when answering specific questions. The ISEE- Upper Level tests your ability to identify author tone, inference, and main ideas—not trivial details. Tutors teach you to annotate as you read (marking topic sentences, turning points, and author opinion), which helps you navigate the passage quickly when questions ask about specific information. Practice with real ISEE passages under timed conditions reveals your personal reading speed and helps you adjust your strategy accordingly.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of consistent preparation, with 5-7 hours of focused study per week—though this varies based on your starting point and target score. Quality matters more than quantity: one carefully analyzed practice test where you review every wrong answer teaches you far more than rushing through multiple tests. Tutors help you structure this practice strategically, spacing out full-length tests (to build stamina and identify patterns in your mistakes) with targeted drills on weak areas. They also help you track progress over time, which builds confidence and keeps you motivated as you see scores improve.

Test anxiety often stems from unfamiliarity with the test format and fear of running out of time. The best antidote is repeated exposure: taking full-length practice tests under realistic conditions (timed, quiet environment) desensitizes you to the pressure and builds confidence in your strategies. Tutors also teach breathing and mental techniques—like reminding yourself that one difficult question doesn't determine your score, or visualizing success before test day. Knowing you've practiced extensively and have a solid game plan (timing strategy, section approach, what to do if you get stuck) significantly reduces anxiety when you sit down on test day.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort level, but most students see meaningful gains within 8-12 weeks of consistent work. A student scoring in the 50th percentile might realistically reach the 70th-75th percentile with focused tutoring and practice, while a student already at the 75th percentile will see smaller percentage gains but still meaningful absolute improvements. Tutors set realistic goals based on your baseline, identify the highest-impact areas to work on first (usually math gaps or timing issues), and track progress through practice test scores. The key is addressing your specific weaknesses rather than generic test prep—this targeted approach consistently produces better results than one-size-fits-all programs.

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