ISEE Levels, Test Sections, and Timing
Posted in ISEE ESSAY, ISEE TEST PREP, ISEE TUTORING
.A student’s testing level is determined by the grade to which the student is applying for admission—not a student’s current grade. The ISEE has four levels. The test sections, number of questions, and test timing vary by level. Here is a breakdown of the ISEE levels, test sections, and timing for each exam.
PRIMARY ISEE LEVELS
Primary 2 (applying to Grade 2)
Section | Questions | Time Allotted |
---|---|---|
Auditory Comprehension | 6 | 7 minutes |
Reading | 18 | 20 minutes |
Break | – | 5-10 minutes |
Mathematics | 24 | 26 minutes |
Total Time: | 53 minutes + 5- to 10-minute break |
Primary 3 (applying to Grade 3)
Section | Questions | Time Allotted |
---|---|---|
Reading | 24 | 28 minutes |
Break | – | 5-10 minutes |
Mathematics | 24 | 26 minutes |
Total Time: | 54 minutes + 5- to 10-minute break |
Primary 4 (applying to Grade 4)
Section | Questions | Time Allotted |
---|---|---|
Reading | 28 | 30 minutes |
Break | – | 5-10 minutes |
Mathematics | 28 | 30 minutes |
Total Time: | 60 minutes + 5- to 10-minute break |
MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL ISEE LEVELS
Lower Level (applying to Grades 5 or 6)
Section | Questions | Time Allotted |
---|---|---|
Verbal Reasoning | 34 | 20 minutes |
Quantitative Reasoning | 38 | 35 minutes |
Break | – | 5-10 minutes |
Reading Comprehension | 25 | 25 minutes |
Mathematics Achievement | 30 | 30 minutes |
Break | – | 5-10 minutes |
Essay | 1 prompt | 30 minutes |
Total Time: | 2 hours, 20 minutes + two 5- to 10-minute breaks |
Middle Level (applying to Grades 7 or 8)
Section | Questions | Time Allotted |
---|---|---|
Verbal Reasoning | 40 | 20 minutes |
Quantitative Reasoning | 37 | 35 minutes |
Break | – | 5-10 minutes |
Reading Comprehension | 36 | 35 minutes |
Mathematics Achievement | 47 | 40 minutes |
Break | – | 5-10 minutes |
Essay | 1 prompt | 30 minutes |
Total Time: | 2 hours, 40 minutes + two 5- to 10-minute breaks |
Upper Level (applying to Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12)
Section | Questions | Time Allotted |
---|---|---|
Verbal Reasoning | 40 | 20 minutes |
Quantitative Reasoning | 37 | 35 minutes |
Break | – | 5-10 minutes |
Reading Comprehension | 36 | 35 minutes |
Mathematics Achievement | 47 | 40 minutes |
Break | – | 5-10 minutes |
Essay | 1 prompt | 30 minutes |
Total Time: | 2 hours, 40 minutes + two 5- to 10-minute breaks |
Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services