ISEE FAQ - Answers to Your Questions About the ISEE Test

Comprehensive ISEE FAQ: Complete Guide for Parents and Students

Welcome to the most complete ISEE FAQ resource! As educational experts and ISEE specialists, we've compiled answers to over 80 frequently asked questions about the Independent School Entrance Exam. Whether you're just beginning your research or preparing for test day, this guide will help you navigate every aspect of the ISEE process with confidence.

"Parents have a lot of questions about the ISEE—and I’ve answered them all. From registration to results, I make sure families feel ready and informed."

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General Information About the ISEE

The ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) is a standardized admission test created by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) for students applying to private (independent) schools and some specialized public schools (magnet schools) in the U.S. and internationally. It assesses reading, math, and reasoning skills to help schools compare applicants on a common scale.


Students applying to private schools and select magnet schools for grades 2–12 take the ISEE. Over 1,200 independent schools worldwide accept ISEE scores, including day schools, boarding schools, and specialized academies.


ISEE stands for Independent School Entrance Exam.


The Educational Records Bureau (ERB) creates, administers, and scores the ISEE test.


The ISEE focuses specifically on skills needed for independent school success. Unlike some tests, there's no penalty for wrong answers, encouraging students to attempt every question. It's also designed to assess reasoning and problem-solving skills, not just memorized content.


While primarily used by private schools, some public magnet schools (specialized programs with competitive admission) also require the ISEE.


The ISEE has been used for independent school admissions for several decades and is well-established in the educational community.



ISEE Test Levels and Grade Applications

There are four main levels:

Primary Level ISEE: For students entering 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade (with sub-levels for each grade)
Lower Level ISEE: For students entering 5th or 6th grade
Middle Level ISEE: For students entering 7th or 8th grade
Upper Level ISEE: For students entering 9th through 12th grade


Choose the level based on the grade your child is applying to enter, not their current grade. For example, if your 4th grader is applying to 5th grade, they take the Lower Level ISEE.


Generally, no. Students should take the level appropriate for their target grade. Taking a higher level doesn't provide any advantage and may be unnecessarily difficult.


If applying to schools for different entry grades (like both 5th and 6th grade), take the test level for the higher grade you're applying to.


While levels are designed for specific grades, there aren't strict age restrictions. The level is determined by the grade your child is applying to enter.


What is on the ISEE?

Q: What do the different levels mean?

A: The ISEE is administered at five different levels:

LevelGradesTotal Amount of Questions
ISEE Primary1-3 (entry to grade 2-4)48-56 Questions
ISEE Lower Level4-5 (entry to grades 5-6)127 questions + essay
ISEE Middle Level6-7 (entry to grades 7-8)160 questions + essay
ISEE Upper Level8-11 (entry to grades 9-12)160 questions + essay

Q: What are the different sections of the ISEE and what kinds of questions are found in each section?

A: There are five different sections on the ISEE Test:

ISEE SectionQuestion Type(s)Total Amount of Questions
Lower LevelMiddle + Upper Level
ISEE Verbal ReasoningSynonym + Sentence Completion34 questions40 questions
ISEE Quantitative ReasoningWord Problems + Quantitative Comparisons38 questions37 questions
ISEE Reading ComprehensionPassages + relevant questions5 passages + 25 questions6 passages + 36 questions
ISEE Math (Mathematics Achievement)Word Problems30 questions47 questions
ISEE Essay1 Essay Prompt1 essay1 essay

The verbal and quantitative reasoning sections assess the student’s reasoning abilities, while the reading comprehension and mathematics achievement sections assess the student’s ability to respond correctly to curriculum standards.

Sections 1-4 are completely made up of multiple choice questions. ISEE scores are reported in percentile ranks. The essay, however, is not graded. Rather, it is sent to the school (or schools) for which the student is applying for entry, along with the rest of the ISEE test scores. Therefore, the essay is a very important part of taking tests. To prepare well for writing, you can use resources such as Essay Tigers.

Q: How many questions are on the ISEE Test and how much time is given to complete the test?

A: The amount of questions and time allotted differs between the Lower Level ISEE and the Middle and Upper Levels:

Lower Level ISEE
SectionAmount of QuestionsAllotted Time
Verbal Reasoning34 questions20 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning38 questions35 minutes
Reading Comprehension5 passages + 25 questions25 minutes
Math (Mathematics Achievement)30 questions30 minutes
Essay1 Essay Prompt30 minutes
Total127 questions + 1 essay140 minutes (2 hours + 20 minutes)
Middle + Upper Levels ISEE
SectionAmount of QuestionsAllotted Time
Verbal Reasoning40 questions20 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning37 questions35 minutes
Reading Comprehension6 passages + 36 questions35 minutes
Math (Mathematics Achievement)47 questions40 minutes
Essay1 Essay Prompt30 minutes
Total160 questions + 1 essay160 minutes (2 hours + 40 minutes)

ISEE Test Scores

Q: How is the ISEE Test scored?

A: The ISEE provides four different scores, one for each section, except for the Essay. The majority of schools take into consideration each separate score as well as the average of the four scores: raw score, scaled score, percentile ranking, and stanine score. The raw score indicates the amount of questions answered correctly and then translates to the scaled score, which has a range of 760-940. The percentile ranking is used to compare students to others in the norm in the same grade and age group who have taken the test of the three years prior. Click here to read more about how ISEE scores are calculated.

Q: When will I receive my child’s scores?

A: Scores will be received either via the mail, 7-10 business days after the test is administered, or, for an additional fee, scores can be posted online the Monday following the ISEE Test. If the test is taken online, the scores will be posted once the test is scored. Click here to read more about receiving ISEE scores.

Q: What ISEE score does my child need in order to be admitted to an independent/magnet school?

A: The ISEE scores required may vary among different private schools, as some schools require higher scores than others. Some schools may not even have a minimum score requirement. Schools generally take into consideration several things when considering a student for admission, such as recommendations, application essays, etc.

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