We typically meet with students for nine to twelve 60-minute sessions. For homework, we assign a mix of 45-minute assignments and full-length practice tests. We offer extended prep for those needing additional support.
We cover test-taking skills and ISEE content, including question interpretation, guessing strategy, time management, and fundamental reading and math concepts.
Our ISEE materials reflect the current content and best strategies on the test. Your student will benefit from materials that focus on the most important content and effective testing strategies.
The ISEE is an admissions test for private middle schools and private high schools.
The ISEE has three levels:
The content of the tests includes synonyms, sentence completions, reading comprehension, and math. There is an essay section that is not scored but sent to the prospective school as a sample of the student’s writing.
You can register for the ISEE on the ERB Website
Stanines 7-8 are considered “above average,” stanines 4-6 are considered “average,” and stanines 1-3 are considered “below average.”
It is important to remember that the ISEE norm group is a highly competitive group! Your student is being compared to all the other students in the same grade who are taking this test for admission into independent schools, some of which can be the most selective schools in the country.
It’s difficult to say what schools consider a “good” score, as there are many factors in admissions, especially grades and family connections.
Yes. The ISEE is designed to evaluate students on their understanding of information that they learn in school, but it is still a standardized test. Our ISEE tutoring helps students review content such as fundamental math concepts, reading strategies, and grammar while at the same time coaching students on timing tactics, elimination tricks, and other test-taking skills.
The ISEE is produced by the Educational Record Bureau (ERB). The Educational Records Bureau (ERB), the producer of the ISEE, offers a free downloadable guide entitled What to Expect on the ISEE for each level of the exam it administers. If you want to dive into the thick of concepts tested, we strongly recommend downloading the guide.
Each section will receive a raw score, scaled score, percentile rank, and a stanine. Many schools look primarily at the stanine.
Stanine Chart
| Percentile | Stanine |
| 1-3 | 1 |
| 4-10 | 2 |
| 11-22 | 3 |
| 23-39 | 4 |
| 40-59 | 5 |
| 60-76 | 6 |
| 77-88 | 7 |
| 89-95 | 8 |
| 96-99 | 9 |
| Section and Content | Minutes Allotted | Number of Questions |
| 20 | LL: 34 UL: 40 |
| Synonyms (UL and LL) | ||
| Sentence Completions (UL) | ||
| 35 | LL: 38 UL: 37 |
| Understanding and application of concepts measured by Problem Solving and Quantitative Comparisons portions | ||
| LL: 25 UL: 35 | LL: 25 UL: 36 |
| Six 300-word passages and questions | ||
Concepts in arithmetic UL includes algebra, geometry | LL: 30 UL: 40 | LL: 30 UL: 47 |
| Essay Five-paragraph essay prompt | 30 minutes |
“Regardless of whether the student is succeeding and wanting to push themselves further or struggling and trying to improve, I enjoy creating an enriching and educational experience for them.”
“I realized how important it was to have support and to provide that to students.”
“I know that students have different learning styles, and patience allows me to listen and observe where each student is in their class, understand their skill level, and adjust to their needs.”
We’ll help you navigate the test taking maze, share our experience with your local school, and inspire your student.
Please fill out this form and one of our directors will get in touch with you as soon as possible, or you can call us at (650) 331-3251.
