ISEE Exam: What Every Parent Needs to Know

• November 18th
• 1 month ago
• Homeschool

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The ISEE test is likely something you or your child are wondering about as they get ready to start middle school or high school. There are more and more private middle and high schools that use the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) to help students get into their schools.

At Groza Learning Center, we have seen firsthand how doing well on the ISEE can affect a child’s future in school. We have put together everything you need to know about the ISEE test to get you and your child or student off to a good start.

Why Take the ISEE Test?

There are many answers to the question “What is the ISEE test?” but we think it’s first important to talk about why the ISEE is significant.

Apparently, the only reason students take the ISEE is because the schools they want to attend require them to. Each year, more and more families look into the ISEE because more and more schools (more than 1,200 across the country as of 2021) are accepting it. So, the ISEE is a simple thing that a student needs to do in order to get into a school.

But this argument doesn’t really get to the heart of why students should take the ISEE and do well on it. It’s true that doing well on the ISEE can help a student get into a more prestigious school. But what that really means is that it can help them get opportunities that they might not have had otherwise.

College is important for more than just the time you spend there, and middle and high schools are important for more than just the time you spend in the classroom. And just like the ACT and SAT are often very important for getting into college, doing well on the ISEE can be very important for getting into middle or high school. All of these things can help your student build a successful future.

What is the ISEE Test?

The first thing to think about is the grade level the student is applying for, not their current grade level. The second thing to think about is the test dates.

Grade Levels: The ISEE test has 4 types of grades: Primary, Lower, Middle, and Upper. Students take the ISEE test for the grade they want to get into. This site doesn’t help people study for the Primary Level ISEE test. Students who use the ISEE to get into a school usually don’t have to take it again until they apply to a different school.

• Primary ISEE: Grades 2nd – 4th grades
• Lower Level ISEE: 5th and 6th grades
• Middle Level ISEE: 7th and 8th grades
• Upper Level ISEE: 9th through 12th grades

Dates of Tests: The ISEE is given three times a year: in the fall, in the winter, and in the spring and summer. Students can take the test up to three times a year, or once per season if they want to. The test can be taken at home, at school, in testing offices (for individuals or small groups), or at Prometric test centers (for larger groups). The ERB admission registration system can help you find test dates and places in your area.

• Fall: August to November
• Winter: December to March
• Spring and Summer: April to July

Coverage of ISEE

Parents usually want to know what the ISEE test is about when they ask us, “What is the ISEE test?” There are 5 parts to the Lower Level ISEE, the Middle Level ISEE, and the Upper Level ISEE. Keep in mind that the essay part is not optional, even though some test prep sites list it as such.

• Verbal Reasoning
  Problems with choosing between synonyms and sentence completion tests your vocabulary and your ability to think critically.

• Quantitative Reasoning
  Word problems and quantitative comparisons are used to test basic math concepts and reasoning.

• Reading Comprehension
  Questions from reading passages are used to test reading comprehension (finding main ideas, tone, etc.).

• Math Achievement
  Math problems with multiple steps are used to test basic math skills, usually those that involve decimals, fractions, and percentages.

• Writing/Essay
  Students write a short personal essay on a given topic to see how well they can write.
  It is crucial to remember that the essay part of the ISEE gives schools a chance to learn about a student’s mind, character, and situation in a way that numbers alone can’t always do. This essay doesn’t get graded, but it is looked over by school counselors, and it gives students a chance to shine in a different way.

ISEE Test Prep with Groza

For students who want to go to some of the best middle and high schools in the country, taking the ISEE is a must. It gives students access to great learning opportunities that can aid their growth in both school and life. We at Groza Learning Center work hard to make sure that our students are not only ready for the ISEE but also do very well on it.

Our all-around test prep programs focus on teaching the most important skills for each part of the ISEE, from reading comprehension and essay writing to verbal and numerical reasoning. We help students get the confidence and skills they need to get the best grades by giving them personalized study plans, practice tests, and one-on-one tutoring. To make sure that students can use these chances to build a bright and promising future, we want to give them the tools and strategies they need to succeed.