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ISEE Success Starts Here

Unlock essential tips, proven strategies, and expert advice to help you master every section of the ISEE.

ISEE Test Overview: Step-by-Step

Verbal Reasoning
20 minutes
Synonyms & Sentence Completion
Builds vocabulary and logic
Quantitative Reasoning
35 minutes
Word Problems & Quantitative Comparisons
No calculator allowed
Reading Comprehension
35 minutes
Passages & Multiple Choice
Tests understanding and inference
Mathematics Achievement
40 minutes
Math Skills & Computation
Covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry
Essay
30 minutes
Written Response
Not scored, sent to schools
Total Test Time: 2.5–3 hours
Levels: Primary (2-4), Lower (5-6), Middle(7-8), Upper (9–12)
Scoring: Stanines (1–9), percentiles, and an unscored essay

A Closer Look: ISEE Structure by Level

  • Verbal Reasoning: Synonyms & sentence completions (34–40 questions, 20 min)
  • Quantitative Reasoning: Word problems & math reasoning (37–38 questions, 35 min)
  • Reading Comprehension: 5–6 passages, 36 questions, 35 min
  • Mathematics Achievement: Math skills & computation (47–50 questions, 40 min)
  • Essay: 1 prompt, 30 min (unscored, sent to schools)
Note: Question counts and timing vary slightly by level.
  • Auditory Comprehension: (Grade 2 only)
  • Reading & Math: Multiple choice, grade-appropriate
  • Writing Sample: Picture prompt (unscored, sent to schools)
Tip: The Primary ISEE is shorter and less formal, but still benefits from practice and familiarity.
  • Raw scores are converted to scaled scores (760–940), then to stanines (1–9)
  • Percentile ranks compare your score to others in your grade
  • Most schools look at stanines and percentiles for each section
Stanine 5 = average; 7–9 = competitive for selective schools.

What is a Good ISEE Score?

  • Stanine 5: National average (50th percentile)
  • Stanine 6–7: Above average, competitive for many schools
  • Stanine 8–9: Highly competitive, top 10–20%
How schools use scores:
  • Each school sets its own score expectations
  • Many competitive schools look for stanines of 7 or higher in most sections
  • Some schools focus on overall profile, not just scores
Tip: A “good” score is one that meets your target school’s standards and reflects your best effort.
Percentile Ranks (Approximate):
  • Stanine 9: 96th–99th percentile
  • Stanine 8: 89th–95th percentile
  • Stanine 7: 77th–88th percentile
  • Stanine 6: 60th–76th percentile
  • Stanine 5: 40th–59th percentile
  • Stanine 4: 24th–39th percentile
  • Stanine 3: 11th–23rd percentile
  • Stanine 2: 4th–10th percentile
  • Stanine 1: 1st–3rd percentile

How to Raise Your ISEE Score

Simulate real test conditions with full-length, timed ISEE practice exams. This builds endurance, reveals strengths and weaknesses, and helps with pacing and anxiety.

How to do it:
  • Schedule a full-length practice test every 2–3 weeks.
  • Use official ISEE materials or reputable online resources.
  • After each test, review every incorrect answer and note patterns in mistakes.
  • Mimic the real test environment: quiet room, no phone, and only allowed breaks.
Set time targets for each section. Use a timer during practice. Don’t get stuck—move on and return to tough questions later.

Extra detail:
  • Break each section into smaller time blocks (e.g., 5 questions per 6 minutes).
  • Practice skipping and returning to difficult questions.
  • Use the two-pass approach: answer all easy questions first, then tackle the harder ones.
Analyze practice test results to identify weak spots. Focus study time on those sections or question types.

How to do it:
  • Keep a log of missed questions by topic.
  • Spend extra study sessions reviewing those topics.
  • Use targeted practice sets or flashcards for trouble areas.
For Verbal, study word roots, prefixes, and suffixes. For Math, review grade-level concepts, especially fractions, decimals, ratios, and word problems.

Extra detail:
  • Make flashcards for unfamiliar words and review daily.
  • Practice math facts and mental math to increase speed.
  • Read challenging texts to encounter new vocabulary in context.
Write practice essays under timed conditions. Focus on clear structure (intro, body, conclusion) and neat handwriting if testing on paper.

How to do it:
  • Use sample prompts and write essays in 30 minutes.
  • Ask a teacher or tutor to review your writing for clarity and grammar.
  • Outline your thoughts before writing for better organization.
Practice relaxation techniques (deep breathing, positive self-talk). Take practice tests in realistic settings. Build confidence through preparation.

Extra detail:
  • Try mindfulness or short meditation before study sessions.
  • Visualize success on test day.
  • Remember: it’s normal to miss some questions; focus on doing your best.
A skilled Victory Prep tutor can provide personalized strategies, accountability, and support for both content and test-taking skills.

Extra detail:
  • Tutors can identify your unique strengths and weaknesses.
  • Consider one-on-one for customized solutions.
  • Ask about personalized study plans and regular progress check-ins.
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ISEE Generator: Practice Question Ideas

Looking for more practice? Here are some sample question types you can create for at-home review:

  • Verbal Reasoning: Create synonym and sentence completion questions using grade-level vocabulary.
  • Quantitative Reasoning: Write word problems that require logic, estimation, or pattern recognition.
  • Reading Comprehension: Find short nonfiction passages and write questions about main idea, detail, inference, and vocabulary in context.
  • Math Achievement: Make computation questions (fractions, decimals, ratios) and multi-step problems.
  • Essay: Pick a prompt (e.g., “Describe a time you overcame a challenge”) and write a 4–5 paragraph response.
Tip: Rotate question types and review answers together to maximize learning.