5 Critical ISEE Facts You Need to Know

We have the critical ISEE facts you need to know. The ISEE (Independent Schools Entrance Exam) is an admission test administered by the ERB (Educational Records Bureau). Many private schools in North America, and a handful of international schools, use the ISEE as a crucial part of the admissions process for grades 2 through 12. The ISEE serves as a standardized metric by which admissions departments can compare students from different schools. There are many parts to an application, and the manner in which ISEE scores impact admissions is very school-dependent.

Regardless of the school, an excellent score on the ISEE sets you apart in the admissions process, especially at highly competitive schools. Based on our years of test prep experience, we believe that standardized test taking is a skill that you can master, and—like all skills—you need to learn and practice in order to improve. Here are 5 ISEE facts to help you prepare for test day.

1. The ISEE is a unique test. The format and content of the ISEE differ significantly from that of other standardized tests you may have taken previously. Knowing what to expect on test day is the most important reason to prepare. Preparation helps relieve testing anxiety and ensures that you are already familiar with the types of questions on the test, so there are no surprises on test day.

2. The ISEE is a long test. Sitting for so long is already an inherent challenge. This is likely the first time you’re taking a high-pressure standardized test too. Building up test-taking stamina will help you to stay focused for the duration of the test.

3. The ISEE is a competitive test. It is taken only by students applying to competitive private schools and is designed to distinguish excellent students from a pool of above-average students.

4. The ISEE is a challenging test. This is especially true for students at the younger end of the age range for any given level of the test. The Upper Level test, for instance, is meant to challenge an 11th grader, but is also taken by 8th graders. Simply knowing how to remain calm when presented with unfamiliar content is an important skill.

5. The ISEE is a learning opportunity. The ISEE provides a concrete goal and clear learning objectives for students. It gives them an opportunity to set goals, practice, and achieve, just as they might in sports or music. Regardless of students’ academic journeys or ultimate career paths, the skills they learn in practicing for the ISEE will serve them well in the future.

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