ISEE vs SSAT: Which Test is Right for Your Child?
October 3rd
3 months ago
Parents who want to get their child into a good private school may need to make a big choice between the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) and the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT). Private middle and high schools in the US often use both tests to see how well a student can do in school. However, there are some important differences between the two that may make one better for your child than the other. Being aware of these differences will help you make a smart choice.
Either test is usually okay with most schools. But you should check with each school’s admissions office to make sure they accept the test you want to take.
- Structure and Content
Both the ISEE and SSAT test similar skills, including verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, and writing. However, their formats and emphases differ:
- ISEE: The ISEE is divided into four levels based on the grade levels of students: Primary (Grades 2-4), Lower (Grades 5-6), Middle (Grades 7-8), and Upper (Grades 9-12). The test includes sections on Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and an Essay. The ISEE does not penalize for incorrect answers, encouraging students to attempt every question. The math section of the ISEE is known to be more challenging, with advanced topics like Algebra II appearing on the Upper-Level test.
- SSAT: The SSAT is divided into Elementary, Middle, and Upper levels. It features two Quantitative (Math) sections, one Reading Comprehension section, one Verbal section, and an unscored writing sample. Unique to the SSAT are analogy questions in the verbal section, which can be challenging for some students. The SSAT includes a guessing penalty: students lose a quarter of a point for each incorrect answer, which requires a more strategic approach to guessing compared to the ISEE.
Upper Level ISEE Test Structure
| Section | Time | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 20 minutes | 40 questions |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 35 minutes | 37 questions |
| Break | 10 minutes | —— |
| Reading Comprehension | 35 minutes | 36 questions |
| Mathematics Achievement | 40 minutes | 47 questions |
| Break | 10 minutes | —— |
| Essay | 30 minutes | 1 prompt |
Upper Level SSAT Test Structure
| Section | Time | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | 25 minutes | 1 prompt |
| Break | 5 minutes | —— |
| Math I | 30 minutes | 25 questions |
| Reading | 40 minutes | 40 questions |
| Break | 10 minutes | —— |
| Verbal | 30 minutes | 60 questions |
| Math II | 30 minutes | 25 questions |
| Experimental | 15 minutes | 16 questions |
- Scoring and Reporting
- ISEE: The ISEE uses a stanine scoring system, providing a score between 1 and 9, with 9 being the highest. This system allows schools to compare a student’s performance against a large pool of test-takers.
- SSAT: The SSAT scores are reported as percentiles ranging from 1 to 99, comparing the student’s performance to other test-takers. The SSAT also combines the two math section scores into one composite score, whereas the ISEE reports each section separately.
- Test Availability and Frequency
- ISEE: Students can take the ISEE up to three times per year, once in each of the three testing seasons: Fall (August–November), Winter (December–March), and Spring/Summer (April–July). This structure allows for flexibility in planning and preparing for the test across different application cycles.
- SSAT: The SSAT is offered multiple times throughout the academic year, with up to eight testing opportunities. This more frequent testing schedule can be beneficial for students who may need multiple attempts to achieve their desired scores.
- Choosing the Right Test
When deciding between the ISEE and SSAT, consider your child’s strengths, weaknesses, and test-taking style. For example:If your child excels in math and prefers a test without a guessing penalty, the ISEE might be a better fit.
- If your child is strong in verbal reasoning and can handle analogy questions, and prefers more frequent testing opportunities, the SSAT could be more suitable.
- Assess whether the schools your child is applying to have a preference for one test over the other, as many schools accept both but some may have specific requirements.
Having your child take practice tests for both the ISEE and the SSAT can help you figure out which test is best for their skills and level of comfort. Taking practice tests can help you figure out your strengths and weaknesses, which makes it easier to make a specific plan for studying.
Prepare your Child with Groza
The ISEE and the SSAT are both good in their own ways, and which one you choose for your child will depend on their academic goals and strengths. At Groza Learning Center, we help students get ready for both the ISEE and the SSAT by making tutoring plans that are unique to each student and their needs. Our professional tutors help students get ready for tests by giving them access to practice tests, study guides, and personalized feedback.
Groza Learning Center is here to help your child do well, whether they want to get into one of the best private schools in the US or just learn how to do better on tests. Let us help your child learn how to do well on tests and reach their academic goals.
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