Award-Winning ISEE- Upper Level Tutors serving Des Moines, IA

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Award-Winning ISEE- Upper Level Tutors serving Des Moines, IA

Jessica

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
Alexis

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
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
Jean

Certified Tutor

Jean

Bachelor in Arts, Sociology
Jean's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Algebra 3/4
Arithmetic

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 pre...

Education

Harvard College

Bachelor in Arts, Sociology

Harvard Medical School

Doctor of Medicine, Medicine

Merav

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Merav

Master of Fine Arts, Theater Arts
Merav's other Tutor Subjects
Geometry
Calculus
Algebra
PSAT Writing Skills

Upper Level ISEE prep spans verbal reasoning, quantitative comparisons, reading comprehension, and a timed essay — so a tutor who can cover all four is invaluable. Merav's magna cum laude Northwestern degree and experience across math, reading, and essay writing mean she addresses each section witho...

Education

London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

Master of Fine Arts, Theater Arts

Northwestern University

Bachelor of Science in Theatre (Minor in Psychology)

Test Scores
SAT
1560
Daniel

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Daniel

Bachelors, Sociology and Theatre
Daniel's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
Elementary School Math

The ISEE Upper Level reading and verbal sections reward students who can work quickly through dense passages and unfamiliar vocabulary in context. Daniel's background in sociology and legal studies trained him to dissect complex arguments under pressure, and he applies that same analytical approach ...

Education

Northwestern University

Bachelors, Sociology and Theatre

Northwestern University

Studied sociology, theatre, and legal studies

Test Scores
SAT
1560
Michelle

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
Noah

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
Max

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Max

Current Undergrad, Economics
Max's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Competition Math
Middle School Math
Geometry

The ISEE Upper Level packs quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, and a timed essay into a single test, and each section has its own quirks — the math leans heavily on ratios and algebraic reasoning, while the verbal section demands precise vocabulary distinctions. Max builds targeted practi...

Education

Yale University

Current Undergrad, Economics

Test Scores
SAT
1580
Justin

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The ISEE Upper Level is a standardized entrance exam used by independent and private schools to evaluate students typically in grades 8-11. It assesses verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, and mathematics achievement. For students in Des Moines preparing for admission to selective private schools, the ISEE Upper Level is often a key component of the application process.

The ISEE Upper Level has four scored sections: Verbal Reasoning (40 questions), Quantitative Reasoning (37 questions), Reading Comprehension (35 questions), and Mathematics Achievement (47 questions). There's also an unscored Essay section. Each section tests different skills—verbal and reading focus on language arts comprehension and logic, while quantitative and math sections assess problem-solving and computational skills.

Many students struggle with the verbal reasoning section's abstract analogies and the quantitative section's logic-based word problems, which require strong reading comprehension combined with mathematical thinking. Time management is another frequent challenge—students must work quickly without sacrificing accuracy across four timed sections. Personalized tutoring helps identify which specific question types or concepts are causing difficulty, allowing targeted practice rather than generic test prep.

Most students benefit from 2-3 months of focused preparation, though this varies based on current skill level and target schools. Students who start earlier can build foundational skills gradually, while those closer to their test date may need more intensive sessions. Personalized instruction allows tutors to assess your starting point and create a timeline that works for your specific needs and goals.

In a typical classroom, test prep moves at a fixed pace for all students, but personalized 1-on-1 instruction focuses entirely on your strengths and weaknesses. A tutor can spend extra time on the verbal reasoning section if that's your challenge, skip concepts you've already mastered, and teach test-taking strategies tailored to your learning style. This targeted approach typically leads to faster improvement and more confident test-taking.

ISEE Upper Level scores range from 760 to 940, with a national average around 850. Most competitive private schools look for scores in the 880-920 range, though specific requirements vary by school. Your score is reported with percentiles showing how you performed compared to other students in your grade, which helps schools understand your academic standing relative to peers.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in ISEE Upper Level preparation and understand the specific demands of this entrance exam. You can discuss your goals, timeline, and learning style, and get matched with a tutor experienced in helping students achieve their target scores. Many tutors offer flexible scheduling to fit around school and extracurricular activities.

Practice tests simulate the actual exam experience, helping students build stamina, manage time across four sections, and identify patterns in their mistakes. Research in learning science shows that practice testing—actually taking full-length exams—is one of the most effective ways to improve performance. A tutor can review your practice test results to pinpoint which question types need more work and adjust your study plan accordingly.

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