If you have a student getting ready to take any of the six versions of the ISEE, you might want to enroll them in a Tucson ISEE prep course provided by Varsity Tutors. The ISEE prep classes are conducted live online, so your student can interact with their instructor and peers as they review the content that will be on the ISEE and the test structure and other details.
The ISEE, or Independent School Entrance Exam, delivers advanced insights to help admissions officials at private or independent schools as they go through the admission process. It's not the only factor considered, but it is viewed as accurate and is taken into account with the rest of each student's application packet.
What subjects are covered in a Tucson ISEE course?
The core educational subjects are covered on the ISEE, including reading, English, math, and writing. Each skill is tested at an age-appropriate level on the different versions of the ISEE. The Primary Level has three separate versions called Primary 2 for students entering 2nd grade, Primary 3 for students entering 3rd grade, and Primary 4 for students entering 4th grade. The Lower Level is for students entering grades 5 or 6; the Middle Level is for students entering grades 7 or 8; and the Upper Level is for students entering high school grades. Let's take a brief look at what's tested at each level.
The Primary 2 ISEE is the only version that contains an auditory comprehension section, where students listen to fiction and nonfiction passages and answer a few questions about them. Then Primary Levels 2, 3, and 4 have age-appropriate multiple-choice questions in a Reading and a Math section. Finally, students are given a picture prompt and asked to write a story about the picture. This Writing Sample isn't scored, but schools do receive it to get an indication of each student's writing ability, creativity, and personality.
The Lower, Middle, and Upper Level ISEE all include the following sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Math Achievement, Reading Comprehension, and an Essay.
The Verbal Reasoning sections assess English skills using synonym and sentence-completion questions. Students are expected to know age-appropriate English skills like vocabulary, parts of speech, using context and word clues for understanding, and how to use prefixes, suffixes, and root words from Anglo-Saxon, Latin, and Greek to determine the meaning of words they don't necessarily know.
The Quantitative Reasoning section evaluates students on their proficiency in mathematical thinking. The Math Achievement section focuses on mathematical operations. They've delivered separately, but both require a knowledge of age-appropriate math skills. For example, on the Lower Level ISEE, Math Achievement questions involve using operations with whole numbers and doing geometry and measurement problems. In the Quantitative Reasoning section, students are tested on estimation, comparison, and number logic.
On the Middle Level ISEE, Math Achievement questions involve algebra, data analysis, measurement, numbers and operations, problem-solving, and geometry. The same subjects are included in the Quantitative Reasoning section, but again, with a slightly different focus on the mechanics or the reasoning behind them. The Upper Level Math Achieve and Quantitative Reasoning sections have the same topics with the addition of data analysis and probability and have the same types of questions at a higher level.
The Reading Comprehension sections gauge where students are in their abilities to understand vocabulary, main and supporting ideas, author's intent or purpose, cause and effect relationships, and drawing conclusions or making inferences from passages. Students will need to compare and contrast information, discern between literal and figurative language, and apply information found in a passage to practical questions. Again, similar content is tested at varying age levels.
Finally, students provide an Essay response to a provided prompt about a topic of general interest to students at their appropriate grade level. They need to plan and write an organized written piece using age-appropriate writing skills including grammar, punctuation, and other English writing conventions. Schools want to know more about each student, and this Essay is one way of doing so. Adding their opinions and thoughts on the topic is encouraged.
You can expect your student to receive comprehensive coverage of all this material in their Tucson ISEE course. Collaboration between students and the instructor helps with both learning and retaining information. If your child runs into a concept that's more difficult for them than the other students, you can sign them up for individual tutoring sessions through Varsity Tutors. They can receive focused one-on-one attention to get them caught up.
What are the benefits of having my student take a Tucson ISEE class to prepare for the test?
There are many benefits to having your student attend the Tucson ISEE classes Varsity Tutors offers. Some have been mentioned, and in addition to these is the chance to learn ISEE-specific test-taking strategies that can be useful for them when they actually take the test.
Standardized exams are different than classroom tests and different from each other. What should your child do if they don't know the answer to a question? That depends on the test they're taking and how they judge unanswered questions. A professional Tucson ISEE class instructor can guide your student on this and other testing questions.
Time management is an important thing for test takers to master because having enough time to finish all the questions not only can help improve their score but can help reduce testing anxiety. Instructors may assign regular timed practice sections to help students see how their pace measures up, and then introduce techniques to help them maximize their pace to work best for them.
How can I enroll my student in a Tucson ISEE course?
Varsity Tutors makes the entire test prep process as convenient as possible. We offer both two- and four-week ISEE courses at different times and days, so you can always find one that meets your family's schedule. New classes start every week, so you can get your child started right away. All you need to do is contact Varsity Tutors and let us know your student's needs, and we can enroll them in a Tucson ISEE course that can meet their needs.

Katherine: Tucson ISEE course instructor
...Clinical Psychology and I am pursuing a career in military mental health. I moved to Tucson in 2014 for my clinical internship and I love it out here! I'm passionate about education and learning. I believe in modifying my teaching style to the unique needs of the student in order to ensure a maximal learning experience. I also believe that learning isn't just about performing well on tests (although that is important and I will...
Education & Certification
- New York University - Bachelors, Psychology
- The Catholic University of America - PHD, Clinical Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Art
- Public Speaking
- GRE
- +31 subjects

Dawn: Tucson ISEE course instructor
Hello! I am Dawn. I love tutoring, especially in one on one situations, because I love to watch the light in someone's eyes when they "get it." I can and will use various methods from visual to lecture to help you or your child learn the subject. I have worked with students who just needed help studying and ones who had extreme test anxiety. I am willing to help you with what YOU need.... When teaching one on one you are able to make the method fit the student. Learning is individual, and I enjoy being able to make the experience worthwhile for the student.
Education & Certification
- Pima Community College - Current Undergrad, AS for Transfer
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- College Biology
- 12th Grade Reading
- 5th Grade Science
- +282 subjects

Michelle: Tucson ISEE course instructor
...opportunity to help others expand their knowledge and find confidence in academics. I earned my Bachelor's Degree in biology in 2011 from the University of Nevada, Reno. As an undergraduate, I worked as a peer tutor for three years in science, math, and English. During the same time, I was a teaching assistant for an introductory biology course. Since graduation I have worked as a molecular technologist in a genetics based lab, and I am...
Education & Certification
- University of Nevada-Reno - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- SAT Subject Test in Biology E/M
- AP Biology
- +46 subjects

Allegra : Tucson ISEE course instructor
...school for 6 years in a variety of capacities. I was a substitute teacher, a teacher assistant in a Special Needs preschool classroom, a part time counselor and I was in charge of an after school tutoring program. I particularly enjoyed tutoring. Many of the children were struggling with their reading and grammar skills. Having always been an avid reader, it was very gratifying to assist them discovering the joy in reading. I loved watching...
Education & Certification
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Bachelor in Arts, Social Work
- University of Washington - Master of Social Work, Social Work
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ISEE- Lower Level
- Adult Literacy
- SSAT- Middle Level
- +30 subjects

Luiza: Tucson ISEE course instructor
...I was also accepted to medical school after college. In addition, I worked as a Research Assistant at the Institute for International Economics in Washington DC for two years. Also, I volunteer with the Pima County Environmental Education Department. I assist with leading nature walks and presenting educational programs to school children. I seek to share my passion for learning. My joy is when the lightbulb goes off in the student and they "get it."
Education & Certification
- Austin College - Bachelor in Arts, Premedicine
- University of Minnesota law school - Doctor of Laws, Prelaw Studies
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Middle School Reading Comprehension
- Piano
- GCSE English Language
- +101 subjects

Sarah: Tucson ISEE course instructor
...attended North Greenville University in South Carolina and achieved a degree in Elementary Education. I did my student teaching in 2nd Grade and my first year of teaching in 5th Grade Math and Science. Since then I have been moving around as a military spouse so I have been subbing and tutoring. I am originally from Memphis, TN, but I have lived in South Carolina, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Arizona. Moving around has given me a...
Education & Certification
- North Greenville University - Bachelor in Arts, Elementary School Teaching
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Study Skills and Organization
- Technology and Coding
- Middle School Science
- +37 subjects

Catherine: Tucson ISEE course instructor
...I actually crashed it the first day I got it and was able to get it working again. I was totally hooked and went back to school for my Master's in Computer Information Systems. This degree actually allowed me to start working as an adjunct instructor at a local community college. And again, I was hooked. I absolutely loved showing people how to work with computers. It was my department chair, who recommended taking my...
Education & Certification
- University of Phoenix - Master of Science, Informatics
- Western Govenors University - Bachelor of Science, Health Information Technology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Science
- Microsoft Excel
- C++
- +25 subjects

Brittany : Tucson ISEE course instructor
...public policy. I am currently a grad student at the University of Arizona where I plan to get my master's degree in rehabilitation and mental health counseling next spring. I have always enjoyed teaching and shared that gift with a variety of age groups from Pre-K all the way up to young adult. I have experience with many different subjects from academia core including history, math, writing, and reading comprehension. I also have specialty experience...
Education & Certification
- University of California-Los Angeles - Bachelor in Arts, History
- University of Arizona - Master of Arts, Mental Health Counseling
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- High School World History
- Writing
- CAHSEE Mathematics
- +61 subjects

Alannah: Tucson ISEE course instructor
...During grad school, I spent 20 hours per week, through my assistantship, tutoring students preparing to take the GRE. I have returned to teaching high school math and science, as well as SAT prep. During my time as an educator, I have had success teaching a wide range of students, from middle school aged individuals, to traditionally aged college students, to adult learners preparing to take the GED and GRE exams. Although I tutor a...
Education & Certification
- Occidental College - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale - Master of Science, College Student Counseling and Personnel Services
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- College Application Essays
- Other
- Middle School Science
- +69 subjects

Priyanshi: Tucson ISEE course instructor
...of Arizona graduate (Go Wildcats!) and I have a Bachelor's of Science in Health Sciences. I have been tutoring since I was in middle school. I began with private tutoring sessions, then worked with Kumon Learning Center, and most recently I tutored college students with learning and cognitive disorders at the UofA. I began tutoring at a young age because as an immigrant from India I personally struggled with the school system and I understand...
Education & Certification
- University of Arizona - Bachelor of Science, Physiology
- University of Arizona - Current Grad Student, Health Policy Analysis
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- College Biology
- Elementary School Writing
- College English
- +73 subjects