Many students struggle with the exam's fast pace and the need to master both content knowledge and test-taking strategy simultaneously. The verbal reasoning section requires strong vocabulary and logical thinking, while the quantitative section demands quick problem-solving under time pressure. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to identify exactly where a student is losing points—whether it's specific math concepts, reading stamina, or pacing—and target those weak areas directly, rather than reviewing material the student already knows.

Most students benefit from 2-3 months of focused preparation, though this varies based on starting level and target schools. A typical prep plan includes content review, practice tests, and strategy refinement. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can create a customized timeline based on your student's current skills and goals, ensuring efficient use of study time without unnecessary cramming.

In a classroom setting, instruction is paced for the average student, which often means some students move too quickly through foundational gaps while others feel rushed. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction lets a tutor adapt in real time—slowing down on challenging concepts like analogies or geometry, accelerating through areas of strength, and focusing heavily on the specific question types your student finds most difficult. This targeted approach typically leads to faster improvement and higher confidence on test day.

The first session is typically an assessment and planning meeting. A tutor will review your student's academic background, discuss target schools, and administer a diagnostic test or review practice problems to identify strengths and gaps. From there, they'll create a personalized prep plan focused on the areas that will have the biggest impact on your student's score.

Score improvement depends on starting point and effort, but students who work consistently with a tutor typically see 50-100+ point gains over 2-3 months of preparation. The ISEE Upper Level is scored on a scale where each section ranges from approximately 760-940, so even modest improvements in pacing and strategy can meaningfully boost overall performance. A tutor will help your student understand their current baseline and set realistic, motivating goals.

Look for tutors with direct experience teaching the ISEE Upper Level, a strong track record of helping students improve scores, and familiarity with the specific schools your student is applying to. Ideally, they should understand not just the content but also test-taking strategy, pacing, and how to build student confidence. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors in Columbia who specialize in ISEE prep and can speak to their experience and approach during your initial conversation.

Practice tests are essential—they build familiarity with the exam format, help identify weak areas, and train students to manage time effectively under pressure. Most tutors recommend taking at least 3-4 full practice tests during prep, with detailed review of every wrong answer. A tutor can help your student interpret practice test results, focus on patterns in mistakes, and adjust strategy before test day.