Many students struggle with time management—the passages are lengthy and questions require careful analysis, leaving little room for rereading. Others have difficulty distinguishing between what the text explicitly states and what they must infer, or they miss nuanced meanings in vocabulary-in-context questions. Additionally, students often overlook the author's tone and purpose, focusing only on surface-level comprehension. Personalized tutoring helps identify your specific weak areas and builds strategies to address them.

Most students benefit from 8-12 weeks of focused preparation, though this varies based on your starting level and test date. Consistent practice with real ISEE passages, combined with targeted instruction on question types and reading strategies, yields the best results. Working with a tutor accelerates progress by providing personalized feedback on your reading patterns and helping you develop efficient techniques for tackling complex texts.

Expert tutors diagnose your specific challenges—whether it's pacing, inference skills, vocabulary, or test anxiety—and create a customized study plan. You'll practice with authentic ISEE passages, learn strategic reading techniques, and receive detailed feedback on your answers to understand why you missed questions. This targeted approach builds both confidence and the analytical skills needed to handle the Upper Level's demanding passages.

Your tutor will assess your current reading level, review your strengths and areas for improvement, and discuss your test timeline and goals. You'll likely work through a sample passage and questions together so your tutor can observe your reading process and identify specific strategies to focus on. This diagnostic session sets the foundation for a personalized study plan tailored to your needs.

Effective strategies include previewing questions before reading to know what to focus on, annotating key ideas and transitions as you read, and distinguishing between main ideas and supporting details. Practice identifying the author's tone and purpose early in each passage, and develop a system for managing time across multiple lengthy texts. A tutor can help you refine these strategies and apply them consistently under timed conditions.

Vocabulary is important, but context clues matter more on the ISEE-Upper Level. Rather than memorizing isolated words, focus on understanding how word choice reveals the author's tone and meaning. You'll encounter challenging vocabulary in passages, but the test rewards your ability to infer meaning from surrounding sentences and the overall passage. Tutors help you develop this contextual reading skill rather than relying solely on vocabulary lists.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in ISEE preparation and reading comprehension instruction. Simply share your test timeline and goals, and you'll be matched with a tutor who fits your needs. Your first session is an opportunity to assess your current level and build a personalized study plan that fits your schedule.