ISEE Preparation

ISEE Preparation

The ISEE is the Independent School Entrance Exam and is the preferred admissions test for many independent schools across the USA and abroad. It forms an important aspect of the admissions process, along with a students’ educational history and in some cases, an admissions interview.

The ISEE test is designed to measure the verbal, quantitative reasoning and achievement of students. The test is 2 hours, 50 minutes in length and there are different levels of the ISEE according to the students’ age:

  • Lower: grades 5-6 (age 9-10)
  • Middle: grades 7-8 (age 11-12)
  • Upper: grade 9-12 (age 13-16/17)

The ISEE consists of five sections:

  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Mathematics Achievement
  • Essay

Please see the table below for a breakdown of each of the sections of the test, including the length, style of question and topics tested:

SectionSection LengthNumber of Questions/ Areas TestedSection LengthNumber of Questions/ Areas TestedSection LengthNumber of Questions/ Areas Tested
Lower Level Grades       5-6              

Middle Level Grades      7-8             

Upper  Level Grades  9-12

Verbal Reasoning20 Minutes40 Questions (multiple Choice)
Synonyms, Sentence Correction
20 minutes40 Questions (multiple Choice)
Synonyms, Sentence Correction
20 minutes40 Questions (multiple Choice)
Synonyms, Sentence Correction
Quantitative Reasoning35 minutes

35 Questions (multiple Choice)
Comprehension, Interpretation/

Application, Higher Order Thinking

35 minutes

35 Questions (multiple Choice)
Quantitative Comparisons, Interpretation/

Application, Higher Order Thinking

35 minutes35 Questions (multiple Choice)
Arithmetic / Algebra / Geometry / Concepts / Understanding, Applications, Higher Order Thinking, Quantitative Comparison
Reading Comprehension40 minutes36 Questions (multiple Choice)
Reading Passages
40 minutes40 Questions (multiple Choice)
Reading Passages
40 Questions (multiple Choice)
Reading Passages
40 Questions (multiple Choice)
Reading Passages
Mathematics Achievement
40 minutes35 Questions (multiple Choice)
Knowledge / Skills and Computation / Comprehension
40 minutes45 Questions (multiple Choice)
Knowledge / Skills and Computation / Comprehension
45 Questions (multiple Choice)
Knowledge / Skills and Computation / Comprehension
35 Questions(multiple Choice)
Arithmetic / Algebra / Geometry, Knowledge / Skills and Computation / Comprehension
Essay30 minutes1 Question (Topic)
Written Essay
30 minutes1 Question (Topic)
Written Essay
1 Question (Topic)
Written Essay
1 Question (Topic)



Written Essay

 For more information about the ISEE please visit www.iseetest.org

Score higher on the ISEE

Taking a high-stakes exam like the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) will never be stress-free.  However, it can be less stressful for your child. Our mission at Kaplan is to distill everything about the ISEE down to exactly what your child needs to know to test confidently and score higher.  If you're looking to succeed on the ISEE, you're in the right place.

In the UK, Kaplan offers a private tutoring service for the ISEE.  We'll help your child build the speed and skill needed to succeed on this demanding test.

Learn About ISEE Tutoring