Completely risk free. Try out an ISEE tutoring session online or in-person, and, if it does not meet or exceed your expectations, then that first session is free.
Curriculum is 100% sourced from the real tests (by far the best quality content available) and customized for each student.
The best test prep experts: each applicant goes through a rigorous interviewing process (applicants sourced nationally, not just from NJ), and each new hire goes through a minimum of 160 hours of specialized training specifically on the ISEE before they meet with their first student.
We do the best ISEE tutoring because we retain the best tutors: our ISEE tutors are full-time and on salary with health, dental, vision, long and short-term disability, life insurance, and retirement benefits. They are career, not side hustle, test experts.
We are experts at both in-person and online tutoring.
See what our students have to say
Molly and Neve talk about their experience at Summit Prep:
If a student is applying to a private school, there is a good chance that the school will require students to submit standardized test results. The two most frequently accepted tests are the ISEE and SSAT. Students should check with the schools to which they are applying which tests the schools accept or require. If the school accepts both the ISEE and SSAT, then students should take a practice test of each to determine which test fits them best.
To determine which test to take, students should take a diagnostic of both to see which one fits them best.
Note: Because the ISEE can only be taken once in any given testing season (Fall: August t0 November. Winter: December to March. Spring: April to July), students are likely to only have one try on the ISEE when they are fully prepared for it. There is variability in any test date: Students could have a good or bad day, the content tested on that test date might fit them particularly well or not, etc. Given that variability, there’s higher risk inherent with going with the ISEE. For that reason, if a student scores significantly higher on the ISEE, they should prepare for the ISEE. If they only score slightly higher on the ISEE diagnostic, then it’s still safer for them to prepare for the SSAT, because they can easily take the SSAT multiple times. And, if a student does prepare for the ISEE, they still might want to register for and take an SSAT as a back-up, just in case they get unlucky on the ISEE test day and the test does not go as planned.
Students cannot use a calculator on any portion of this exam (unless they have special accommodations that require them to be able to do so).
Students in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade take the Primary Level 1, 2, and 3 exams for entrance into the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades.
Note: Students applying only to schools located in New York City do not participate in the essay section because New York City schools do not require this portion of the exam.
For students in 1st grade applying to 2nd grade.
| Section | Number of Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Auditory Comprehension | 6 | 7 minutes |
| Reading | 18 | 20 minutes |
| Break | 0 | 5-10 minutes |
| Mathematics | 24 | 26 minutes |
| Writing Sample | 1 picture prompt | No time limit |
| Total | 49 | 53 minutes + break + essay |
For students in 2nd grade applying to 3rd grade.
| Section | Number of Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 24 | 28 minutes |
| Break | 0 | 5-10 minutes |
| Mathematics | 24 | 26 minutes |
| Writing Sample | 1 picture prompt | No time limit |
| Total | 49 | 54 minutes + break + essay |
For students in 3rd grade applying to 4th grade
| Section | Number of Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 28 | 30 minutes |
| Break | 0 | 5-10 minutes |
| Mathematics | 28 | 30 minutes |
| Writing Sample | 1 prompt | No time limit |
| Total | 57 | 60 minutes + break + essay |
| Section | Number of Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 34 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 38 | 35 minutes |
| Break | 0 | 5-10 minutes |
| Reading Comprehension | 25 | 25 minutes |
| Mathematics Achievement | 30 | 30 minutes |
| Break | 0 | 5-10 minutes |
| Essay | 1 prompt | 30 minutes |
| Total | 128 | 2 hr and 20 min + two breaks |
Students in 6th and 7th grade for entrance into 7th and 8th grade, respectively.
| Section | Number of Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 37 | 35 minutes |
| Break | 0 | 5-10 minutes |
| Reading Comprehension | 36 | 35 minutes |
| Mathematics Achievement | 47 | 40 minutes |
| Break | 0 | 5-10 minutes |
| Essay | 1 prompt | 30 minutes |
| Total | 161 | 2 hr and 40 min + two breaks |
Students in 8th, 9th, and 10th grade for entrance into 9th, 10th, and 11th grade, respectively.
| Section | Number of Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 37 | 35 minutes |
| Break | 0 | 5-10 minutes |
| Reading Comprehension | 36 | 35 minutes |
| Mathematics Achievement | 47 | 40 minutes |
| Break | 0 | 5-10 minutes |
| Essay | 1 prompt | 30 minutes |
| Total | 161 | 2 hr and 40 min + two breaks |
The ISEE stands for Independent School Entrance Exam. The ISEE was developed by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) for its member schools as part of their admission process. Like other standardized tests, the purpose of the ISEE is to establish a standard method of measurement for the skills that have been acquired by school applicants.
Founded in 1927, the ERB’s mission is to create testing and learning solutions that help schools develop improved curriculum, teaching, and learning through diagnosis of assessment results that address essential learning standards. The ISEE has four levels:
Once you start high school (or before), we are here to support you if you need help in any academic subjects and/or if you are struggling to stay motivated and succeed. And, when you need it, we specialize in SAT and ACT prep and provide one-on-one, customized tutoring to over 1,000 students every year for these college entrance exams.
Students take the PSAT in October and get results back in early December. These results do not count toward National Merit status, and we recommend that students do not prep for it (here’s more info one why we make that recommendation). But, the results do give us an early indication of where a student’s standardized test score is at, which can inform if we need to start SAT/ACT prep earlier than anticipated.
Take the SAT/ACT tests until you hit your score goal (ACT scores, in particular, can be deleted at any time, so there’s no downside to re-taking the test).
Most students take the PSAT (this score does not matter for the vast majority of students) — the results for this test come back in early December of that year.
College visits and applications.
Early application deadlines for most colleges.
A fascinating piece from Inside Higher Ed points to challenges and changes to assessing the academic preparedness of college applicants. Some parts of particular interest:
Today we’re adding another layer to the ACT Reading strategies (see Part 1 here). First, we’ll cover how the vast majority of students can get
Among the many changes to college admissions is the rise in the number of colleges offering Early Decision and the number of students utilizing it.
If you’re interested, we would love to give you a complimentary strategy consultation over the phone or online to discuss the best plan for your child’s educational goals: which test to take, when to take them, what scores are needed for admission, and any other questions you have.
It is our privilege and pleasure to serve you and to help empower your children to succeed in life.
After you submit the form, we will:
The cost of tutoring will vary depending on the number of sessions needed to hit a student’s score goal.
