Students often struggle with the test's fast pacing and the need to balance accuracy with speed—particularly in the quantitative sections where advanced math concepts appear alongside tricky word problems. The verbal reasoning section requires strong vocabulary and logical thinking skills that can't be crammed, and many students underestimate how much reading comprehension strategy matters. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction helps identify exactly where a student's gaps are, whether that's foundational math skills, test-taking stamina, or specific reasoning patterns.

Most students benefit from 3-6 months of focused preparation, though the timeline depends on their starting point and target score. Students who begin with strong foundational skills may need less time, while those addressing significant gaps in math or verbal reasoning often benefit from a longer preparation window. A tutor can assess your student's current level in the first session and create a realistic timeline based on their specific needs and the test date.

One-on-one instruction allows a tutor to focus entirely on your student's unique strengths and weaknesses rather than teaching to a group's average level. A tutor can spend extra time on quantitative reasoning if that's where your student struggles, skip content they've already mastered, and adjust teaching methods to match how your student learns best. This targeted approach typically leads to faster improvement and higher confidence on test day compared to group classes where pacing can't adapt to individual needs.

The first session focuses on assessment and planning. A tutor will review your student's academic background, discuss their target schools and score goals, and likely administer a diagnostic test or section to understand their current performance level. From there, the tutor will outline a customized prep plan addressing specific areas for improvement and explain how sessions will be structured to build skills progressively toward test day.

Score improvement varies based on starting level and effort, but students who engage actively in personalized prep typically see meaningful gains—often 20-40+ percentile points or several scaled score increases. The most significant improvements come from addressing specific weak areas (like quantitative reasoning or reading speed) and building test-taking strategies that students can apply consistently. Your student's tutor will track progress throughout prep and adjust the plan as needed to maximize results by test day.

Varsity Tutors connects students with tutors who have deep expertise in standardized testing and the specific content and strategies needed for ISEE success. Tutors typically have strong backgrounds in both math and verbal reasoning, understand the test's unique format and timing demands, and have experience helping students achieve their target scores. When you connect with a tutor, you can review their background and experience with ISEE preparation to ensure they're a great fit for your student.

Madison's strong educational community includes many excellent independent schools and public schools with rigorous academics, which means local students often have access to school counselors familiar with ISEE prep and the schools that use it. Working with a tutor allows your student to focus their prep specifically on ISEE content and strategy while maintaining their regular schoolwork—tutors can often coordinate with teachers to ensure prep doesn't overwhelm your student's schedule. Many Madison families find that combining personalized tutoring with consistent practice and a realistic timeline leads to the best outcomes.