Many students struggle with managing time during the test, as you must read complex passages carefully while answering questions quickly. Others have difficulty distinguishing between main ideas and supporting details, or struggle to infer meaning from context clues. Some students also find it challenging to recognize the author's tone and purpose, especially in unfamiliar subject areas. Personalized tutoring can target your specific weaknesses and build strategies to tackle each question type confidently.

A tutor can teach you proven strategies for active reading, annotation techniques, and question-type recognition that help you work more efficiently. They'll provide personalized feedback on practice passages, identify patterns in the questions you miss, and help you build vocabulary in context. With targeted practice and individualized instruction, students typically see significant score improvements, especially when working with a tutor who understands the specific demands of the ISEE Upper Level format.

Your first session focuses on understanding your current reading level and identifying your specific challenges. Your tutor will likely have you work through a sample ISEE passage and questions to assess your strengths and areas for improvement. They'll discuss your goals, learning style, and timeline before creating a personalized study plan tailored to help you succeed on test day.

Vocabulary is essential—the ISEE tests your ability to understand words in context and recognize synonyms. Rather than memorizing isolated word lists, effective preparation focuses on understanding how context clues help you determine meaning, which is what the test actually measures. A tutor can teach you strategies for tackling unfamiliar words and building academic vocabulary through the passages you're reading, making vocabulary work feel purposeful and connected to your comprehension goals.

Allentown and the surrounding Lehigh Valley have several respected independent schools that use the ISEE for admissions. With 44 schools across 8 school districts in the area, many families pursue independent school options for their students. A tutor familiar with ISEE preparation can help you understand what these schools are looking for and ensure your reading comprehension skills are competitive for admission.

Official ISEE practice tests and materials from the test maker are essential, as they reflect the actual format and difficulty level. Beyond that, reading challenging material from various subjects—literary fiction, science articles, historical texts, and essays—builds the comprehension skills you'll need. Your tutor can recommend specific resources and create a balanced practice schedule that includes timed passages, untimed deep-reading practice, and full-length practice tests to build both accuracy and speed.

Most students benefit from 2-3 months of focused preparation, though this varies depending on your starting point and target schools. If you're working with a tutor, they can assess your current level and create a timeline that gives you enough time to learn strategies, practice consistently, and build confidence. Starting earlier allows for more gradual improvement and reduces test-day anxiety, so connecting with a tutor as soon as you know you'll be taking the ISEE is ideal.