If your student is thinking about attending a certain private or independent school, then they can use some assistance with a Varsity Tutors ISEE preparation service. You may already know how effective ISEE test prep can be if you've ever looked up "ISEE help near me" online. The Independent School Entrance Exam, or ISEE, is a test independent and private schools use to see if prospective students can handle their rigorous coursework. Do you feel that your student can benefit from ISEE tutoring? Then please reach out to us to learn more about our ISEE test preparation services.
Why Take the ISEE Exam?
The Independent School Entrance Examination is commonly taken by elementary, middle, and high school students who are applying to competitive private schools. The point of the exam is to give these schools a chance to assess the academic skill sets of the students who are applying there. Earning a strong ISEE score could make your child a more attractive candidate for admission at the school they're most interested in attending. That's why having a strong ISEE test prep plan is important in the lead up to your student's upcoming exam. If you'd like to get your student some extra help with their study plan, you don't need to look up "ISEE tutoring near me" online. Instead, you can easily get started with your child's own ideal ISEE test prep plan by contacting Varsity Tutors today.
ISEE Exam Eligibility Requirements
There are few requirements that your student must satisfy before they can sign up to take the ISEE. It is, however, important that you register them for their test day early because they can fill up quickly. Getting your student signed up for their preferred exam day early can give you the peace of mind that they're on track to take their test by the time it's required to complete the admissions process at the private school they're applying to.
You can easily sign your child up to take the ISEE by visiting the Educational Records Bureau's registration web page. When you're doing this, make sure that you're signing your student up for the correct exam level. Doing this will avoid any delays associated with having to change the test your student is signed up to take at the last minute.
The ISEE is an easy exam to sign up for because of its lack of restrictive eligibility requirements. Outside of the considerations listed above, you should have no problem signing your student up to take the ISEE test they need in order to complete their private school application process. If you'd like help with the test registration process or want to learn more about ISEE requirements, consider reaching out to Varsity Tutors today.
Breaking Down the ISEE Exam
The ISEE exam has four levels: primary level (2nd-4th grade), lower level (5th-6th grade), middle level (7th-8th grade), and upper level (9th-12th grade). Each level comes with tests with multiple-choice questions that cover mathematics and reading topics, plus a writing prompt. (Students taking the primary level exam have to do a picture prompt instead of a writing prompt.) If your student is entering the 5th or 6th grade, here are some specific topics they need to know when taking the ISEE Lower Level exam:
- Vocabulary
- Sentence completion
- Quantitative word problems
- Identifying the main idea of a reading passage
- Drawing conclusions from a reading passage
- Numbers and operations
- Geometry
- Algebra
Is your student applying to a private or independent high school? Below are the details of the ISEE Upper Level exam:
ISEE Upper Level Sections |
# Questions |
Time Allowed (in minutes) |
Verbal Reasoning |
40 |
20 |
Quantitative Reasoning |
37 |
35 |
Reading Comprehension |
36 |
35 |
Math Achievement |
47 |
40 |
Essay |
1 Writing Prompt |
30 |
Whether your student needs to take the lower, middle, or upper level ISEE exam, they'll be asked to complete the same five test sections that are listed in the above table. However, the content of these sections may vary depending on your student's test level. Below, you'll find a brief look at what your student can expect to find in each of these test sections.
The first section of the ISEE exam, Verbal Reasoning, consists primarily of vocabulary questions. Thus, your student will need to have a strong understanding of vocabulary in order to do well on this part of the test. ISEE test prep assistance from Varsity Tutors can help your student build up their vocabulary if they could use some help with it.
The next exam section is called Quantitative Reasoning. This section consists mostly of math word problems. Again, signing up for ISEE test prep help from Varsity Tutors is a great way to get your student help with developing this skill set. Third, your student will also be asked to complete a Reading Comprehension test section. Here, they'll be asked to read complex passages and then demonstrate their understanding of those reading passages by answering a series of multiple-choice questions about the passages. The fourth and final multiple-choice section covers the topic of Math Achievement. This section will ask your student to solve math problems based on mathematics topics they would've learned about at their grade level.
Finally, your student will also be asked to complete an Essay while taking their ISEE exam. This test section, however, is not graded. Instead, your student's essay will be sent to the admissions directors at the schools they apply to. A strong ISEE essay is a great chance for your child to show off their writing abilities. It could influence the admission committee's final decision on your student's application as well. If your student could use some help with their writing skills, then ISEE test prep may be a good option.
As detailed above, the ISEE is a wide-ranging, comprehensive standardized exam. Even if your child already excels in most of the topics they'll be tested on, it can be very beneficial to have a refresher before utilizing their academic skill set on this important test. If you think your child would benefit from working with an ISEE test prep expert, then you don't need to search online for "ISEE test prep near me". Instead, consider reaching out to Varsity Tutors today. You can learn more about the various ISEE test prep options that you can choose from in the following section.
Varsity Tutors Can Help Your Student Study
You have a few different ISEE prep options to consider when deciding which one you'd like your child to pursue. The ISEE courses that you ultimately sign them up for should reflect their learning style and academic needs. You can get an in-depth look at each ISEE prep option by continuing to read below, or by speaking with an educational director today.
The first ISEE prep option you may be interested in for your child is private ISEE tutoring. Signing up for ISEE tutoring may be the right option for your student if they've previously done well when working directly with their educator. ISEE tutors offer the chance to get personalized feedback throughout the entire ISEE preparation process. Your student's ISEE tutors can set them up with a customized ISEE preparation plan that takes their specific needs into account. Your child will be able to work through each of these ISEE prep sessions at their own speed, stopping to get additional guidance from their ISEE prep instructor whenever they need it.
In our ISEE classes, your student receives one-on-one attention with an instructor who's an expert in their field. These ISEE tutors are knowledgeable in reading and math topics, so your student can ask them for assistance on anything that's troubling them. The personalization that your student will receive through their ISEE prep process could help them to create a more efficient ISEE test preparation plan.
What's great about our ISEE courses is that they assist gifted students. Maybe your student is studying for an ISEE Middle Level Exam, even though they're younger than the average junior high pupil. These ISEE class instructors are more than happy to nurture bright minds by helping them study challenging material. Does your student struggle with staying on task? In an ISEE course, a tutor can try to assist them with focusing on their studies by giving them handy time management advice. A tutor can also customize an ISEE prep session to suit your student's personal learning style. Pupils in our ISEE test prep programs can request a tutor to read a passage aloud or use slides if they feel it helps them absorb information better. We love the fact that our ISEE prep services can assist young students in several ways.
Another ISEE prep option you may want to consider is signing your student up for a small group-based ISEE class. This ISEE prep resource gives your child the chance to learn from an expert educator alongside a small group of peers. Taking an ISEE class may be right for your student if they've previously found success in the traditional classroom learning environment. In fact, ISEE classes combine the best of two different worlds. Your student will get all of the benefits of traditional ISEE classes with the convenience of online learning when they sign up to take a group ISEE course.
In fact, each of our ISEE test preparation options are flexible. We make every effort to connect you with an educator who is able to work around your child's schedule. This ensures that they can get the help they need preparing for their upcoming exam without having to worry about making any sacrifices in the other important parts of their lives. You can even sign your student up for an ISEE course that fits neatly into your own schedule.
Scoring the Independent School Entrance Examination
The ISEE has a percentile-based scoring system. This means that your student will earn both a raw score and a percentile rank for each test section they complete. For instance, if your child's raw score in their Math Achievement section was better than 80% of the other students who took the same level ISEE exam, they would earn an 80th percentile ranking for that section. This grading style was designed to give admissions committees a chance to see how the students who apply to their school compare to one another.
The majority, about 54%, of students who take the ISEE end up earning a percentile score somewhere between the 40th and 70th percentiles. Comparatively, about 23% of students score between the 1st and 30th percentiles. The same number, 23%, also score between the 70th and 90th percentiles. Taking ISEE courses can help your student develop the skills they need to be more confident while taking each part of the ISEE. If you think your student would benefit from ISEE courses, then consider contacting us today.
Getting Started
Like any standardized exam, taking the ISEE can be a challenging thing to do. However, your student doesn't have to go through the test preparation process alone. Instead, why not let Varsity Tutors help them get more out of their study sessions with the test preparation plan of their choice? We'd love to use our expertise in the test preparation industry to help your student feel more confident on the day of their exam.
If your student is approaching high school and wants to review anything for test, an ISEE test prep tutor is at their side to help them study. Your student can time themselves with a practice writing prompt or have an instructor drill them on math problems. Rather than spending time online looking up "ISEE help near me", you can easily get your child started with their own ideal test preparation plan by connecting with Varsity Tutors today.
Whatever the age of your student, the lessons they may learn in an ISEE prep program won't just help them now; they could benefit them greatly in the future, especially if they want to pursue higher education. Our ISEE test prep programs are all online, so your student doesn't need to leave home to engage in lessons. To get more information about our ISEE prep services, please contact Varsity Tutors today. Representatives are standing by to assist you in signing your student up for an ISEE test prep program.

Alex: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...school, I taught students of all ages, ranging from Pre-K through 8th Grade. In high school, I helped prepare students for AP, SAT, ACT, and SAT subject tests as part of my role in the National Honor Society. I have considerable personal experience with a vast array of subjects and love sharing my knowledge and...
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor in Arts, Statistics & Economics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- SSAT
- HSPT
- +81 subjects

Larisa: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...philosophy including Bioethics, Ancient Philosophy, Philosophy of Law, Ethical Theory, and Intro to Philosophy. In addition to philosophy, I am comfortable tutoring GRE Verbal and Analytical Writing, writing more generally, bioethics/medical humanities, and psychology. I am passionate about helping my students develop their critical thinking skills and learn how to express their ideas clearly. In...
Education & Certification
- Simmons College - Bachelors, Philosophy and Psychology
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Current Grad Student, Philosophy (PhD)
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- Study Skills and Organization
- Gifted
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- +48 subjects

Kaley: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...rewarding. I especially love teaching reading and writing and I have taught or tutored these subjects to students ranging from kindergarten through adults. I also have experience tutoring test prep subjects and focus both on the content material and test taking skills. My passion is psychology and I have been able to use my graduate...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Bachelors, Education and Public Policy
- Harvard Graduate School of Education - Masters, Human Development and Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
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- PSAT
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Sean: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...and I looked forward to it every week! On Varsity Tutors, I tutor up to college level mathematics and physics, test prep (including AP courses, and SAT reading/writing). Explaining difficult math and science concepts in plain English is my forte. I love teaching and will be glad to help anyone become an independent learner.... Teach students to teach themselves, and to love the act of learning itself.
Education & Certification
- Cornell University - Bachelor of Science, Engineering Physics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT Subject Tests
- HSPT
- ACT
- +67 subjects

Shira: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...students from the junior high to collegiate level and would love to use my experience and expertise to help students master new concepts and skills. I would characterize my tutoring style as positive and persistent, but above all, I like to tailor my approach to best suit the needs and learning style of each individual...
Education & Certification
- Brandeis University - Current Undergrad Student, Biochemistry
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
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- SAT
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Jane: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...just WHAT to learn. I always emphasize hard work - because you always get what you work for. I don't care about natural intelligence, because trying your best and being persistent is the key to learning and improvement. My favorite part of teaching is seeing the student understanding a concept for the first time.
Education & Certification
- Boston University - Bachelor of Science, Human Physiology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
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- +41 subjects

Serena: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...Literature. These are topics I love discussing in general and I'm always happy to have a chance to help someone else find enjoyment in the subject. Trying to encourage of love of learning is an important part of my teaching philosophy and I try to do so by finding out what my students are interested...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Bachelor in Arts, History
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT
- REGENTS
- +47 subjects

Kashish: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...and tutoring the maths and sciences because I have always been curious about the world around us, and science is a process of searching for fundamental and universal principles that govern causes and effects in the universe. I enjoy tutoring students for the opportunity to aid them in their quest for knowledge and to help...
Education & Certification
- Brown University - Bachelor of Science, Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- Advanced Placement
- PSAT
- +64 subjects

Deirdre: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...have a particularly sharp learning curve for students and I worked through that myself, developing study and problem solving techniques that eventually led me to score a 5 on the AP Chemistry exam. History also requires a lot of time and effort, especially with memorization, synthesis, and learning how to craft an argument for historical...
Education & Certification
- Harvard University - Bachelors, History and Science, Pre-Medical Studies
- National University of Ireland-Galway - Masters, Gender, Globalisation and Rights
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- PSAT
- SAT Subject Tests
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Bryn: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...in art history, where I also studied Classics, anthropology, psychology, history, English, and government, and spent one glorious semester studying abroad in Paris. At Skidmore I gained tutoring experience working as a peer-mentor, art history tutor, note-taker, and providing SAT prep and general homework help, as well as teaching English while studying in Paris. After...
Education & Certification
- Skidmore College - Bachelor in Arts, Art History
- Courtauld Institute of Art - Master of Arts, Art History
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- REGENTS
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Tanay: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...to 99% of students in the area. As a result, I've joined Varsity Tutors as an effort to give back and try to help students get excited about learning various subjects, employing many of the methods that allowed me to succeed. While I tutor a wide range of subjects, I am most passionate about standardized...
Education & Certification
- Northeastern University - Bachelor in Business Administration, Finance
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- ACT
- SAT
- PSAT
- +80 subjects

Maureen: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...enjoy reading and writing, which is what I love to tutor. As I am such an avid learner myself, I am so happy to be helping students with their studies. I feel I have really strong study skills and would love to share with others what I have learned as a life long learner.
Education & Certification
- Emmanuel College - Bachelor in Business Administration, Business Administration and Management
- Southern New Hampshire University - Master in Public Health, Public Health
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- HESI - Health Education Systems Incorporated
- STAAR Grades 3-8
- ACT
- +64 subjects

Jason: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
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Education & Certification
- Yale University - Bachelor of Science, Mathematics
- Yale University - Master of Science, Mathematics
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- GED
- UK GCSE
- SAT Subject Tests
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Vigneshwaran: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and exploring topics at their own pace. Being a technology enthusiast, I am particularly dedicated to sparking interest in programming at an early age. In 2016, I gathered a team of like-minded individuals and partnered with Codechef on a "Programming for School Students" initiative. Through this campaign, I...
Education & Certification
- Suffolk University - Master of Science, Business Administration and Management
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- IELTS - International English Language Testing System
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Zina: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
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Education & Certification
- Texas Christian University - Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
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Lawrence: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...of the material. Regardless of your starting level, I will work with you unlock your full potential in the subject by ensuring that I help you build a strong understanding of the concept for each subject which will help you achieve your goals. Literally all the students I have regularly tutored have gone on to...
Education & Certification
- University of West of England UK - Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Sciences
- University of Oxford UK - Doctor of Philosophy, Molecular Biology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SSAT
- ACT
- SAT
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Rachel: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...and themes, as well as connections to the students' personal lives, current events, and other content knowledge or media. Learning, especially learning social studies, is most accessible to the student when it becomes relevant. I will work with you to find a door into whatever you are learning - whether it is geometry, history, anatomy,...
Education & Certification
- Muhlenberg College - Bachelor in Arts, American Studies
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- CogAT
- SAT
- ACT
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Catherine: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
I teach what I love and love what I teach. I support responsible global citizenship and understand the pluralism inherent in human experience through enhanced appreciation of cultural heritage and respect of local resources.
Education & Certification
- Univ of New Hampshire - Bachelor in Arts, Art History, Criticism, and Conservation
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Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- TOEFL
- Elementary School Math
- Public Speaking
- +54 subjects

Courtney: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...mission to make sure that every child achieves his/her goals. I am originally from Orlando, FL but relocated to Massachusetts a little over a year ago. I went to the University of Central Florida where I obtained my Bachelors in Elementary Education. I have six years experience in education and five years experience as a...
Education & Certification
- University of Central Florida - Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education
- State Certified Teacher
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- HSPT
- SSAT
- History
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Margaret: Massachusetts ISEE test prep instructor
...University, I have realized the importance of the learning process. Often times the difficulty of the material comes from the unfamiliarity of the approach to it, rather than the inherent difficulty of the material. As a tutor, I hope to help my students realize that they can master the material when they learn the best...
Education & Certification
- Princeton University - Bachelor in Arts, Psychology
Subject Expertise
- ISEE
- SAT
- PSAT
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